“What IELTS band do I need for Canada PR?” For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the minimum is 6.0 in each section of IELTS General Training, which IRCC treats as CLB 7. But higher bands earn more Express Entry points, and the conversion isn’t the same for every skill. This page explains how IELTS bands work, gives IRCC’s conversion chart, and covers what Australia asks for.

The figures below come from canada.ca and homeaffairs.gov.au. Requirements can change, so confirm them on those sites before you book or apply. This site is an independent practice site, not affiliated with IELTS, IRCC or the Australian government.

How IELTS bands work

Each section gets a band from 0 to 9, in whole or half bands. The overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band: an average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band. For example, 6.5, 6.5, 5.0 and 7.0 average 6.25, which becomes an overall 6.5.

For immigration, the overall band usually doesn’t matter. Both IRCC and Australia look at each section separately. A 6.5 overall with a 5.5 in Writing doesn’t meet a requirement of 6.0 in every section.

Listening and Reading are marked out of 40. IELTS publishes the average number of correct answers at some bands, and says the exact numbers vary slightly between test versions:

General Training Reading usually needs more correct answers than Academic Reading for the same band, because IELTS says Academic texts may use more difficult vocabulary or a more complex style.

IELTS General Training to CLB (IRCC)

IRCC converts each IELTS General Training section to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. Note that Listening needs a higher band than the other skills from CLB 8 up.

Each figure is the minimum band for that level, up to the next level. Source: IRCC’s Express Entry language test pages on canada.ca.

Minimum levels for Express Entry

A few rules from IRCC to know:

• IELTS General Training only. IRCC doesn’t accept IELTS Academic for Express Entry.
• No One Skill Retake. IRCC doesn’t accept the IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.
• Two-year limit. Results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.

Why aim higher: CRS points

The Comprehensive Ranking System awards points for each of the four skills in your first official language. For a single applicant (without a spouse or common-law partner):

With a spouse or common-law partner, the figures are 32, 29, 22 and 16 per skill. Language also counts in the skill transferability factors, where CLB 9 or higher in every skill earns more points when combined with education or foreign work experience. Moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 across all four skills is worth 56 points for a single applicant from this table alone, which is why many applicants aim for 7.0 in Reading, Writing and Speaking and 8.0 in Listening.

Australian visas: IELTS scores by English level

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs defines English levels and the IELTS score for each. It accepts IELTS General Training or Academic, including the One Skill Retake for eligible visas, taken at a test centre. It doesn’t accept IELTS Online.

Which level you need depends on the visa. Many skilled visas require at least Competent English, and on the points test for skilled migration, Proficient and Superior English earn extra points. Check the eligibility page and points table for your visa subclass on homeaffairs.gov.au.

Home Affairs changed its list of accepted tests on 7 August 2025. It says results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 can be used, depending on the visa, until 6 August 2028, and that test results generally need to be from within the 3 years before your application, depending on the visa.

Check your understanding

To build the bands you need, start with the Reading practice, letter writing samples and Speaking practice questions. Taking a different test? Compare IELTS vs CELPIP.