Taking CELPIP in Australia: Test Centres, Booking, Fees and Test Day
By Natania · Booking and test day · Published · 3 min read
Since Home Affairs started accepting CELPIP-General on 7 August 2025, CELPIP has been offered at test centres in Australia's major cities. The test is the same one Canadians take for permanent residence, so most advice about test day applies unchanged. This post covers the Australia-specific parts: where to sit it, how to book the right version, what to bring and how to use the result. Centres, dates and fees change often, so treat the official CELPIP website as the final word.
Where can I take CELPIP in Australia?
At the time of writing, CELPIP-General is offered in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, with more than one centre in Sydney. There are fewer centres than for IELTS or PTE, so check dates early if you are outside these cities.
The centre list changes as new centres open. The booking page on the official CELPIP website shows every current centre, with addresses and available dates.
How do I book CELPIP in Australia?
Online, through an account on the official CELPIP website. Choose CELPIP-General, not CELPIP-General LS: Australia needs all four skills, and the LS test covers only Listening and Speaking.
- Register with your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
- Pick a centre and date; seats are confirmed when you pay.
- Registration closes shortly before each test date, and popular dates fill up, so book a few weeks ahead if you have a deadline.
- Read the confirmation email for the centre address and arrival time.
How much does CELPIP cost in Australia?
At the time of writing, CELPIP-General costs about AUD 355 in Australia. Check the booking page for the exact fee at your centre, and the official rules on rescheduling and cancelling before you pay.
What ID do I need for CELPIP in Australia?
A valid passport. Outside Canada and the United States, a passport is generally the only ID CELPIP accepts, and the name must match your booking exactly.
Check the ID rules on the official CELPIP website before test day. A name mismatch or an expired passport can mean you are turned away and lose your fee.
What happens on CELPIP test day?
You take all four skills on a computer in one sitting of about three hours: Listening, Reading, Writing, then Speaking, which you record into a headset. There is no face-to-face interview.
- Arrive early: check-in, ID checks and a photo take time before the test starts.
- Your belongings go into a locker; you cannot take notes in or out.
- Other test takers will be speaking at the same time during Speaking. Practise with background noise so it does not throw you.
- You type your Writing answers, so practise typing 150–200 words under time pressure.
How do I use my CELPIP result for an Australian visa?
Your results appear in your CELPIP account online, usually within a few business days. Download your official score report and provide it with your visa application or skills assessment, following the document checklist for your visa.
Check the English level your visa needs before you book, and the date rule: most skilled visas accept results from the three years before you are invited or apply, and the 485 needs a test from the year before you apply.
Can I take CELPIP online for Australia?
No. For results dated from 7 August 2025, Home Affairs accepts only tests taken in person at a test centre. Sit CELPIP-General at a centre.
You can still prepare online. The free CELPass diagnostic estimates your level in each skill in about 25 minutes, and full mock tests copy the real test's format and timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CELPIP test in Australia different from the one in Canada?
No. It is the same CELPIP-General test, with the same Canadian-English content, format and scoring.
Can I take CELPIP in Canberra or a regional city?
Check the booking page on the official CELPIP website for the current centre list. At the time of writing, centres are in the major cities, so you may need to travel.
Keep reading
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.