Updated on 18 July 2023
In 2022 the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) invited interested parties to submit Responses to the Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for the selection of English language tests for Australian visas (HOMEAFFAIRS/ELT01/22REOI).
This REOI process was open to all English language test providers both in Australia and overseas. Current English language test providers prescribed in Australian migration legislation must have submitted a REOI Response to be considered under this process.
REOI Responses were due by Friday 9 September 2022. An Evaluation Committee assessed these shortly thereafter. All entities that submitted REOI Responses (Respondents) received outcomes on 4 January 2023.
On 20 June 2023, the Department provided a further and final opportunity to all Respondents to submit revised REOI Responses.
The Department’s decision to provide additional opportunities to address the first stage requirements of the REOI evaluation criteria may affect the timing of the REOI. The Department expects an increase to the timing of the assessment process. This may also affect the indicative timeframe on the outcome of the REOI. We thank all interested parties for their patience.
This REOI is not a procurement. AusTender provisions do not apply.
Updated January 2024
As anticipated, the opportunity for Respondents to submit revised REOI Responses has resulted in delays to the indicative REOI timeframe. Please note that the REOI
Details and Requirement (412KB PDF) timeframes have not been updated to reflect the delays resulting from the additional opportunity for REOI Responses.
The Evaluation Committee has now assessed revised REOI Responses, with the Department notifying respective Respondents of their revised REOI outcomes on 6 December 2023. All Respondents currently found suitable have been invited to conduct concordance studies.
Future opportunities for REOI submissions will be available on the Department’s website at
Submissions and discussion papers (homeaffairs.gov.au).
Updated July 2024
The REOI process remains underway with respective Respondents in the process of conducting their concordance studies.
As previously advised, the opportunity for Respondents to submit revised REOI Responses resulted in delays to the indicative REOI timetable, including to the concordance study phase. Subject to satisfying all REOI requirements, a test under the REOI may now be prescribed in Australian migration legislation by mid-2025.
Note: The REOI documentation sets out the Department’s indicative REOI timetable and indicative REOI dates, which have not been updated to reflect delays resulting from the additional opportunity for Respondents to submit a revised REOI Response. Any time or date set out in the REOI documentation (other than the Closing Time) is indicative only, and remains subject to Respondents satisfying all REOI requirements.
Background
English language requirements are set out in migration legislation as a means to effectively manage immigration risk. They also ensure visa holders can fully participate in the Australian community.
The Department accepts scores from certain English language tests as evidence of English proficiency for Australian visa applications. The Department is not involved in the content or delivery of the tests.
Guiding documents
The further and final opportunity to submit revised REOI Responses was only open to Respondents who submitted an application during the initial assessment window. Below are associated documents for current Respondents to refer to:
