Delivery mode
Online
Test fee
$814
Prerequisites
No
Languages
55
To further enhance the integrity and security of our testing process, NAATI will phase out the use of wired headphones in addition to the current ban on Bluetooth headphones.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to improve our testing environment. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at onlinetesting@naati.com.au.
Overview
The Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test is an assessment of your ability to communicate at a community level between two languages (English and another language). Please note this test is available online only.
The CCL test is generally taken by people who plan to apply for a points-based skilled migration visa in Australia that awards points for Credentialed Community Language holders.
Test candidates must be able to:
- Exchange simple information from one language to another, without deviating too much from normal pronunciation, standard of expression, style and register (formality).
- Demonstrate accurate comprehension and production in both English and the other test language.
There are two ways to gain Credentialed Community Language points:
- Pass the NAATI Credentialed Community Language test.
- Hold a NAATI certification as a translator or interpreter. Click here for more information on getting certified.
NAATI does not provide any migration advice. Before applying to sit the test, you should confirm (with the Department of Home Affairs or your migration agent) that the NAATI CCL test is accepted to claim the Credentialed Community Language points at the time of application.
See also: Migration assessments.
The CCL test is currently available in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Bangla
- Bosnian
- Bulgarian
- Burmese
- Cantonese
- Croatian
- Czech
- Dari
- Dutch
- Dzongkha
- Filipino
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Gujarati
- Hazaragi
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Indonesian
- Igbo
- Italian
- Japanese
- Kannada
- Khmer
- Korean
- Lao
- Macedonian
- Malay
- Malayalam
- Mandarin
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia (formerly known as Oriya)
- Pashto
- Persian
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Romanian
- Russian
- Serbian
- Sinhalese
- Somali
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
- Yoruba*
NAATI regularly adds more languages based on community demand.
*pending candidate demand
Information for applicants
Training & knowledge requirements
There are no training prerequisites to sit this test. You can access practice tests and tips on how to prepare under the ‘Prepare for your test‘ tab.
The CCL test requires you to have upper intermediate language skills in both languages. This is equivalent to B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Equipment & system requirements
Please read the specifications carefully below.
If you have booked your test and are concerned about your computer equipment or internet access, please email us at info@naati.com.au as soon as possible.
Equipment and system requirements
You will need the following to sit this test:
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Laptop or computer with the following: |
Note: Candidates must use a personal device to sit the test. A work, university, or library laptop/PC often encounters issues that block access to the platform. |
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Phone or tablet (in addition to the laptop or computer): |
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Internet connection: |
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It is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is suitable and will function for the entire test. Failure to do so may result in your test being invalidated or cancelled with no refund. Small screens (such as laptop screens) may make it harder for you to see everything clearly. We recommend that your electronic devices be connected to a power source for the duration of your test.
About the test
Tests in each language are run at least 4 times per year (monthly for high demand languages). You can search for upcoming test dates here.
Read the detailed candidate instructions under the ‘Prepare for your test‘ tab.
What is the CCL test?
The CCL test will require the candidate to interpret two pre-recorded conversations, known as dialogues, between two people: a native English speaker and a native speaker of the language other than English (LOTE).
Each dialogue is approximately 300 words (or a few minutes of audio recording), with about half in English and half in the LOTE. Each dialogue will be about a different topic (see below). The dialogues are divided into short segments of 35 words or less, which make up the conversation.
After each segment has played, a chime will sound, and then the test candidate will interpret what has been said.
Candidates must begin interpreting within five (5) seconds of the chime sound. Long pauses may result in marks being deducted, particularly if it results in the total test recording going for longer than 20 minutes.
All CCL tests are delivered online on a testing platform called Televic. Test times are scheduled at Australian Eastern Time (Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time). NAATI uses an online proctoring program called ProctorExam to make sure all tests are valid and are sat by the correct person.
Topics covered
Each dialogue will be about a different topic which reflect real-life situations in Australian society. They are designed to examine a candidate’s ability to understand both languages and communicate in them. The topics may include:
- business
- consumer affairs
- employment
- health
- immigration/settlement
- legal
- community
- education
- financial
- housing
- insurance
- social services
Test assessment and results
The CCL test is marked by trained, impartial examiners. The examiners assess each candidate’s ability to communicate in both tested languages. You should read NAATI’s language policy to understand how the examiners will assess the use of your language in the test.
Assessment
Each dialogue is worth 45 marks (90 marks in total). To pass the CCL test, you must achieve a score of 63 or more, and at least 29 marks in each dialogue.
NAATI assess CCL tests using a mark deduction method. This means that each test begins with 90 marks, and marks are taken off if the candidate makes errors during their test. Each error will result in a different number of marks being taken off, depending on how much it impacts on the overall communication.
You should read the test rules and policies in the CCL Test Candidate Instructions here. This includes the rules on repeating a segment, pausing or correcting yourself.
Candidates should pay particular attention to:
- Language quality – competency in both English and the other language being assessed
- Language register – matching the formality of the speaker when you transfer the meaning of what they say to the other person
- Excessive repeats – only one repeated segment per dialogue is allowed without penalty
Marks are deducted for the following types of errors:
- Accuracy – how correct the information is, not removing or adding any information, and not more than one repeated segment per dialogue
- Quality of language – using good sentence structure, natural use of the language and pronunciation, the right level of formality, not making many grammatical errors
- Quality of delivery – no excessive pauses, hesitations or self-corrections
Results & receiving your credential
Results are sent via email within 4-6 weeks from noreply@naati.com.au.
NAATI issues individual results as they are finalised. This may mean people sitting the test on the same day receive their results on different days.
You will receive either a pass (63 or over, including more than 29 marks per dialogue) or fail (below 63, or less than 29 marks in one or both dialogues). If you pass, you will receive the Credentialed Community Language credential letter.
Here are some examples which demonstrate what a pass or fail result may look like and why:
Pass result examples
| Dialogue 1 | 29 |
| Dialogue 2 | 35 |
| TOTAL | 64 |
Total score is 63 or more, and each dialogue is 29 or more
| Dialogue 1 | 45 |
| Dialogue 2 | 30 |
| TOTAL | 70 |
Total score is 63 or more, and each dialogue is 29 or more
Fail result examples
| Dialogue 1 | 29 |
| Dialogue 2 | 29 |
| TOTAL | 58 |
Each dialogue is 29 or more, but the total is less than 63
| Dialogue 1 | 27 |
| Dialogue 2 | 36 |
| TOTAL | 63 |
Total score is 63 or more, but one of the dialogues received less than 29 marks.
All new credentials issued from 9 August 2022 have a five-year validity period.
Results issued before 9 August 2022 are valid for three years. NAATI is not able to amend the expiry date of a credential that has already been issued.
Applying for a review of test results
If you fail the test and receive a result between 58 and 62 you can apply for a review of your results. A test review means that a separate examiner will mark your test again, and the marks from each examiner will be averaged to determine your final result.
If you are eligible for a test review, you can apply for this from your myNAATI account within 30 days of receiving your results. This will be available from the ‘My Test Results’ section in your myNAATI account.
How to apply
To apply for the CCL test, you will need to create an account in our customer portal, myNAATI, and submit your application from there.
Step one: Create a myNAATI account and submit an application.
Step two: You will receive an email once your application is processed by NAATI (generally within two business days).
Step three: Select a test date and pay the test fee.
Create a myNAATI account and submit an application
To submit your application, you will need to provide:
- Full name (given name/s and family name)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Country of birth
- Address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Photo of your face, similar to what you would submit with a passport application
- A scan of an identity document (such as your valid passport or Australian driver’s licence).
Read the photo requirements and full list of ID documents accepted by NAATI by clicking here.
Application process
NAATI will process your application by checking the information submitted. This is generally within two business days.
NAATI will reject your application if you do not upload a scan of an identity document.
You cannot select a test date until NAATI has approved your application.
Select a test date
You will be invited (via email from noreply@naati.com.au) to select a test date once your application is approved. To select a test date, you will need to log in to your myNAATI account again. You will need to pay the test fee when you select your test date.
View our terms and conditions here.
You can search for upcoming test dates on our website here. Note that test dates are shown live, which means they may have already been booked by other candidates by the time you go to book through myNAATI.
We will send you a reminder email 10 days prior to your test date from noreply@naati.com.au.
Test fee summary
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Test fee $814 AUD
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Cancellation See below
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Review of test results $187 AUD
Conditions apply: See 'Test details & assessment' tab.
Rescheduling or cancelling your test
Tests can be rescheduled up to (and including) 3 days prior to the test date. Please see below for our rescheduling and cancellation policies.
Rescheduling your test date
Tests can be rescheduled up to (and including) 3 days prior to the test date.
- There is no cost to reschedule.
- Candidates are responsible for rescheduling their own test via their myNAATI account. You will need to reject your test session in myNAATI and then select another test date.
Please note: Rejecting a test session means that you will lose your place in that test session, and it may be quickly booked by another candidate. There is no guarantee you will be able to select the same test date again once you have rejected it.
It is not possible to reschedule a test within 2 days of the test session unless the candidate provides evidence of hospital admission, serious injury or an accident. This is because we “lock in” the test sessions to enable planning and preparation.
If you have been admitted to hospital, or suffered a serious injury or accident, you must provide evidence to info@naati.com.au by 8am (AET) on the test day at the very latest. This must meet the terms of the exceptional circumstances policy as detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If your test is within the next 2 days and you can no longer attend for another reason, you will need to cancel your application (see below) and apply again.
Cancelling your test
Please follow the instructions below if you want to cancel your test.
If you decide to sit the test at a later date after cancelling your initial application, you will need to submit a new application. This will include selecting a new test session and paying the full test fee.
If your test is more than 2 days away
- You will be eligible for a refund of 75% of your test fee if you cancel a test more than 2 days before the test date.
- Follow the instructions on applying for a refund through your myNAATI account.
If your test is within the next 2 days
- To cancel a test scheduled within the next 2 days, you must email us at info@naati.com.au with your customer number so that we can cancel your test for you. You cannot reject your own test session in myNAATI if your test is scheduled within the next 2 days.
- You will not receive a refund if you cancel a test within 2 days.
If you do not attend your test on your scheduled test date, this is considered a cancellation and no fees will be refunded.
Candidate instructions
All applicants are required to read the candidate instructions in full before the test. They detail the steps you need to take before your test day, what happens on test day, and how to get support.
Note that you must ensure your equipment and systems are suitable for the test (found under the ‘Prerequisites‘ tab). Failure to do so may result in your test being invalidated or cancelled with no refund.
Preparing for your test
Below are some suggestions on how to prepare for your test, as well as three types of practice tests that NAATI offers to help you.
NAATI is aware that some organisations offer training or courses claiming to prepare people for the NAATI CCL test. While we encourage training and preparation for any language test, we do not formally endorse any of these courses. NAATI sets the test and is the authority which issues the result. Candidates should be aware that organisations offering training do not have unique information about the test.
Passing a practice test does not allow you to claim points for migration. You will need to sit and pass the CCL test or a certification test with NAATI to claim migration points.
Practicing your language and skills
The best way to prepare for your test is to keep practicing your languages and skills. There are lots of ways to do this. Here are some suggestions:
- Record passages from the radio and television. Listen to them and repeat them in the same language. Try two sentences first, then four, then six… test your limits. If you can record yourself, it will help you to assess your progress as well as help you get used to talking while being recorded. Then listen to a passage and respond by transferring the meaning into your other language.
- Get someone to read sentences from a paper and then transfer the meaning into your other language ‘off the cuff’. This will help you build up your speed.
- You should ‘immerse’ yourself in the language in which you are least confident. If your first language is English, listen to and talk as much as you can in your other language. If your first language is another language, listen to and use as much English as possible.
- When you are confident with your skills, practise using other practice materials. Record yourself and play it back. Listen to yourself analysing how well you have conveyed the meaning and the clarity of your language.
- Pick up literature or brochures in both languages. These might be available from a government department or online. View them critically and try to learn as much terminology as possible. Read magazines and newspapers in both languages to do the same.
- Ask someone to read short passages to you (about 20-40 words). Reproduce these as accurately as you can in the other language, without taking notes.
Downloadable practice materials – by language
Candidates can download practice materials in their language at any time on this page: Downloadable CCL practice materials – by language
Free practice tests on the test platform
When you book your test date, NAATI will include a link to a practice test in your test confirmation email. These practice tests are run on the test platform, so you can get familiar with the system before your test day. You can use this as many times as you like before your test starts.
Paid assessed practice tests
You have the option of paying to take a practice test which will be assessed by NAATI examiners.
The paid assessed practice tests offer candidates the advantage of taking the test in the same conditions as you will experience during your upcoming test, including proctoring and live help and support, and the tests will be marked by NAATI examiners with the same marking rubrics and scores. These practice tests provide a good indication of the complexity and style of NAATI testing, as they use previously used test materials. You will receive feedback from examiners which will help you determine your readiness for the actual test.
| Cost | $165 (incl GST) |
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Test format | 2 approximately 300 word dialogues in English and your other language |
| Marking | Each dialogue will receive a score out of 45, with a total result out of 90 |
| Results | Results will be issued to candidates within 4 to 6 weeks |
The CCL practice test is conducted in the same manner as the regular CCL test. To pass the CCL practice test, you must achieve a score of 63 or more, and at least 29 marks in each dialogue. Practice tests are marked by fewer examiners than actual tests.
The results received are unable to be used to claim points for migration. Passing the practice test does not guarantee a pass in an actual test.
How to apply for a paid assessed practice test
- Log into your myNAATI account.
- Select “Submit an Application”
- Select “Practice Test”
- Enter details for your application, there is no checking required by NAATI for these practice tests, so you’ll be made instantly eligible.
- On your myNAATI homepage select “Manage My Tests”
- Select a practice test session and make payment.
Practice test candidates will receive test materials that they have not previously seen and the domains that they come from will vary. Where there are no unseen practice materials available candidates will have the option of a full refund or taking a previously seen practice test again.
Support
If you need help before you have booked into a test, email us at any time at info@naati.com.au.
On your test day, NAATI’s Digital Testing team will be available via live chat during your test to assist with any technical issues or you can get help by emailing onlinetesting@naati.com.au.
Useful resources
Support links
Click below to view frequently asked questions about the CCL test as well as the terms and conditions.
Troubleshooting
Having trouble with your application? View the guide to whitelisting NAATI emails on gmail, as well as a 'how to apply' guide.
