IELTS was 'never intended' for immigration

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Created on Tuesday, 21 August 2012 17:26

Written by Editorial staff

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was never intended to be used as an immigration benchmark - and some commentators say the test is so difficult that even native English speakers would have trouble achieving a passing grade.

This is according to a new Financial Review report by Jake Mitchell, who asserted that there are two problems with using IELTS as the national English language test standard.

The first problem, he wrote, is IELTS' so-called "monopoly status" as the only English language test standard used by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

A second problem stems from the fact that IELTS was never intended to be used as an immigration benchmark at all - instead, it was to be used as an English language standard for international students coming to Australia to pursue higher education.

But since 2001, the tests have also been used by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to evaluate candidates applying for work visas.

Property analyst Ross Horsley - who is also an immigrant who hails from the United Kingdom - told the Financial Review that he felt that the exam was irrelevant to his career and confusing. He also resented having to pay for an exam to prove he could speak his native language.

"What would [people overseas] think about being made to pay hundreds of dollars to prove they can speak their own language?" he said.

While he achieved the required score for his visa application, he said that the IELTS tests may deter skilled migrants who are considering Australia among many other destinations.

"I worry about how it reflects on Australia as a destination for the best people," he said.

Earlier this year, IELTS Australia announced it has set aside $215,000 in funding for independent academic research related to IELTS, including a study that will examine stakeholder perceptions of the testing as a means for overseas workers to gain entry to the Australian workplace.

Under the DIAC's SkillSelect model, candidates have to score an IELTS average of 4.5 in the four test components - writing, listening, reading and speaking - although functional English requirements are sometimes granted if the applicant's first language is English and they hold a valid passport from the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand or the United States.

From January 2014, migration agents must also meet minimum English language requirements, including an IELTS test score of 7. An agent can score no lower than 6.5 on any IELTS sub-test.

In certain circumstances, agents may be exempt from IELTS testing, but there are widespread fears that this could mean up to half of the migration agents currently registered in Australia may not be able to successfully apply to renew their registration.

Migration Alliance believes that the new, restrictive IELTS requirements are incredibly damaging to our profession - particularly to those agents who work with visa applicants whose first language is not English.