Exceptions to basic requirements for applicants in the Skill Matching visa category
English language requirement
If you have only functional English (ie. you have achieved an overall band score of 4.5
on the 4 components of the IELTS test) you can apply for this visa. However, if you are
nominated from the Skill Matching Database by a State or Territory government you
must then pay a tuition fee to upgrade your English language skills to the ‘vocational
English’ level. The fee for this tuition must be paid to a designated English language
provider before your visa can be granted. At the time of publication, these English
language upgrade arrangements are in place in South Australia, Tasmania and
Northern Territory.