Do I Need To Speak English To Get A Working Holiday Visa In Australia?

Gabby Boucher

February 7th, 2024

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5 minute read

Do I need to speak English to get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia? Yes, Australia's Home Affairs Department has specific language requirements for this type of visa. You don't have to be completely fluent in English to live and work in Australia, but you do need what is called "Functional English". 

We're going to dive into all the specifics of Functional English and the Working Holiday Visa language requirements so you can understand what the Australian Government is looking for. It's relatively easy to get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia, but it is super important to meet all the requirements!

English Language Requirements for Working Holiday Visas in Australia

You do need to speak English to get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia. More specifically, the visa requires Functional English, which is exactly how it sounds! You have to be able to function in society with your English skills. Because a Working Holiday Visa encourages travellers to get a job and engage with the community, it's important to be able to speak with and understand the locals. Functional English just means you can read, write, speak, and listen at a basic enough level to participate in Australian culture and society.

 How do I know if I have Functional English skills?

The Australian Government has a few different ways to determine your level of English proficiency. If you are from another English-speaking country, your nationality and passport may be enough to prove your English fluency. According to the Australian Home Affairs website, you have Functional English if you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• Israel (and have completed an English Bagrut exam in the level of 3 study units)

British National (Overseas) passports are not included. If your nationality is not on this list, you can prove your level of English skills through education and tests or assessments. 

English education that is accepted for Working Holiday Visas

Proof of English education is another way to get accepted for an Australian Working Holiday Visa. If you're not a native English speaker, you can still get your Australian visa if you have completed relevant education in English. The institution, whether inside or outside Australia, must have all instructions in English and must have included at least two years of full-time study. You can show a degree, a diploma, or a trade certificate to prove you've completed your education in English!

Language tests that are accepted for Working Holiday Visas

You can also prove your English proficiency by submitting your scores for a language test or assessment. You must have completed the test within 12 months of your visa application, and only approved tests at secure test centres are accepted. You can't just pick any English language test online and submit that with your application, unfortunately. Visit the Home Affairs website to find a list of the approved language tests and the minimum score you need to achieve for your Working Holiday Visa. 

Can you get a visa for Australia without speaking English?

If you don't have any English-speaking skills, you can visit Australia on a tourist visa. You only need to speak English if you're applying for any type of work, skilled, or permanent visa in Australia. If you just want to travel around Australia for leisure, there is no language requirement! But you do still need to apply for a tourist visa online before you arrive. And it does help to know a few basic English words and phrases so you can navigate the country with ease. 

Other Requirements for Working Holiday Visas in Australia

In addition to the Functional English requirement, Working Holiday Visas in Australia have a few other standards that you have to meet. Requirements are different for the 417 and the 462 visa as well, and your nationality affects which visa you'll apply for. You'll want to read the Home Affairs website in-depth to get the most detailed information, particularly for rules that only apply to certain nationalities.

But here is a quick overview of some other visa requirements you must have for Australia:

• Be aged 18-30 (max 35 years for some countries)
• Have no dependent children or family members
• Have roughly $5,000 AUD in the bank to fund your stay
• Not have had a previous Australian visa refused 
• Not have any Australian Government debts
• Apply from outside Australia
• Meet the health and character requirements
• Have a letter of support from your government (for some countries)

If you meet these requirements, you should totally go for it and have the time of your life exploring Australia!

Once you're in Australia on your First Year Working Holiday Visa, consider doing your 88 days and applying for a Second Year!

Our travel experts are available 24/7 to help you plan your trip to Australia. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!

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