LanguageCert for Australia 2026: New Acceptance & Comparison with IELTS

LanguageCert for Australia 2026 is no longer a "what-if" — it is officially accepted by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for skilled, student, and partner visa applications. Since August 7, 2025, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT has joined IELTS, PTE, and OET as a recognised English proficiency test for Australian immigration. At roughly \u20B96,800 per attempt — less than half the cost of IELTS — this online-proctored exam is a genuine game-changer for Indian applicants. In this guide, EEC's Australia team (27+ years, 50,000+ students) breaks down every score band, eligible visa subclass, and head-to-head comparison so you can decide whether LanguageCert for Australia 2026 is your fastest, cheapest path to approval.

August 2025 Acceptance — What Changed?

On August 7, 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs updated its list of approved English language tests to include LanguageCert International ESOL SELT. Until that date, only four tests were accepted: IELTS (Academic & General Training), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and OET. The addition of LanguageCert was driven by three factors:

1. Remote accessibility. LanguageCert is an online-proctored exam taken from home — ideal for applicants in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities without convenient test centres. 2. Affordability. At approximately \u20B96,800 per sitting, DHA acknowledged that cost barriers were preventing skilled migrants from demonstrating competence. 3. Fast results. Scores are typically available within 3 business days, compared with 5\u201313 days for IELTS and 1\u20135 days for PTE.

The key regulatory instrument is IMMI 25/037 (Legislative Instrument), which formally added LanguageCert SELT scores to the Migration Regulations 1994 schedule. This means DHA case officers now treat a LanguageCert scorecard exactly like an IELTS TRF or PTE score report — no additional explanation letter is required.

LanguageCert Scores for Australia — Band Mapping 2026

DHA maps LanguageCert scores to four English proficiency levels used across the migration programme. Each level unlocks different visa types and points allocations. Here is the official score mapping:

Functional English (B1 / 36+) is required for most partner and family visas. Competent English (B2 / 50+) is the baseline for Subclass 189 and 190 Skilled Visas — without it, your EOI will not even be ranked. Proficient English (C1 / 64+) awards 10 additional points, and Superior English (C2 / 76+) awards 20 points — often the difference between an invitation and months of waiting.

Which Australia Visas Accept LanguageCert?

LanguageCert is accepted across the full range of DHA visa subclasses that require evidence of English proficiency. Below is a practical reference table for Indian applicants:

For Subclass 189 and 190 (the most popular skilled migration pathways), Competent English at LanguageCert 50+ is the minimum. However, most competitive occupations in the 2025\u201326 invitation rounds require Proficient (64+) or Superior (76+) to reach the 65\u201390 points threshold. See our PTE points guide for a parallel comparison of how points stack up across tests.

Student Visa (Subclass 500) acceptance depends on your education provider. Most Australian universities and TAFEs that previously listed "IELTS or PTE" are now updating their policies to include LanguageCert. Check directly with your institution or ask EEC to verify before booking.

LanguageCert vs IELTS for Australia — 2026 Comparison

IELTS has been the default English test for Australian immigration for decades. Now that LanguageCert is accepted, here is how the two compare on the factors that matter most to Indian applicants:

The biggest practical advantage of LanguageCert is cost: at \u20B96,800 versus \u20B916,250 for IELTS, you save nearly \u20B910,000 per attempt. For applicants who need two or three sittings to reach their target score, that saving alone can exceed \u20B920,000. The second advantage is accessibility — no travel to a test centre means applicants in cities like Surat, Rajkot, or Vadodara can test from home with a stable internet connection and a webcam.

That said, IELTS still has the widest global recognition. If you plan to apply to multiple countries (e.g., Canada + Australia), IELTS may be the more versatile choice. LanguageCert is currently accepted by Australia (DHA) and the UK (UKVI) but is not yet recognised by IRCC for Canadian immigration.

LanguageCert vs PTE for Australia — Which Is Easier?

PTE Academic has been the go-to IELTS alternative for Australia-bound Indian students thanks to its AI-scored format and fast results. With LanguageCert now in the mix, applicants have a genuine three-way choice. Here is the head-to-head:

Format & Scoring

Both tests are computer-based. PTE is taken at a Pearson test centre and scored entirely by AI. LanguageCert is taken online from home and scored by a combination of AI (for Listening and Reading) and human examiners (for Writing and Speaking). Some test-takers find the human-graded Writing and Speaking sections of LanguageCert more predictable than PTE's AI algorithms, particularly for accented English speakers.

Score Equivalence for DHA

For Competent English, you need PTE 50+ overall (with 50+ in each communicative skill) versus LanguageCert 50+ overall. For Proficient, PTE requires 65+ each versus LanguageCert 64+. For Superior, PTE needs 79+ each versus LanguageCert 76+. The thresholds are close but not identical — always check the DHA website for the latest mapping.

Fee & Availability

PTE Academic costs approximately \u20B915,900 in India, while LanguageCert costs roughly \u20B96,800 — a saving of over \u20B99,000. PTE centres are available in major Indian cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad), but LanguageCert can be taken from anywhere with a computer, webcam, and reliable internet. For applicants outside metro areas, this convenience factor is significant.

“I scored LanguageCert 68 on my first attempt from home in Surat — equivalent to IELTS 7.0+ — and saved ₹9,000 compared to PTE. My 189 visa was granted within 4 months.”

— EEC Student, 2026 Skilled Migrant

Fee Comparison — All Accepted English Tests for Australia 2026

Cost matters — especially when you might need more than one attempt. Below is the full fee comparison for every DHA-accepted English proficiency test as of 2026:

LanguageCert is the most affordable option by a wide margin. At \u20B96,800, it costs 58% less than IELTS, 57% less than PTE, and 82% less than OET. Even if you need three attempts to hit your target score, three LanguageCert sittings (\u20B920,400) cost less than a single OET attempt (\u20B938,000+). For healthcare professionals, OET remains relevant due to profession-specific content, but for all other skilled workers and students, LanguageCert offers the best value in 2026.

EEC Coaches IELTS + PTE + LanguageCert — Just \u20B97,500

At EEC, we do not believe in one-size-fits-all test prep. Our \u20B97,500 combined coaching programme covers IELTS, PTE, and LanguageCert — because the smartest strategy is to train across formats and then register for the test where you score highest. Here is what the programme includes:

What You Get for \u20B97,500

1. Diagnostic Assessment. A 45-minute evaluation of your grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension, pronunciation clarity, and typing speed. Based on the results, your coach recommends whether IELTS, PTE, or LanguageCert gives you the best shot at your target DHA level.

2. 40+ Hours of Live Coaching. Delivered online via Zoom in batches of 8\u201312 students, covering all four skills for all three test formats. Sessions run mornings and evenings to fit working professionals.

3. Full-Length Mock Tests. Two scored mocks per format (6 total), with detailed feedback reports highlighting exactly where you are losing marks. LanguageCert mocks include AI-scored Listening/Reading and trainer-evaluated Writing/Speaking — mirroring the real exam experience.

4. Score Guarantee. If you do not reach your agreed target score within two attempts, we provide an additional coaching cycle at no extra cost.

5. Visa Strategy Session. Every test-prep student gets a complimentary 30-minute session with an EEC Australia migration counsellor to map out their points total, occupation list eligibility, and timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions — LanguageCert for Australia 2026

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