3 years. Would my spouse also need to do the IELTS test as she is fully dependent on me or can she be exempt. Hi Shaun, All family members who are 18 years or older that are included in an Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) application need to demonstrate a functional level of English. Some methods of demonstrating this level of English language proficiency include:  having an IELTS score of at least 4.5 for each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing). IELTS test scores are valid for a period of three years. The nearest test centre can be found on the IDP Education website http://www.idp.com ;  an Occupational English test score which is at least equivalent to IELTS 4.5;  evidence that you have been assessed by an Adult Migrant English Program provider in Australia as having functional English;  completion at least five consecutive years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where all the tuition was delivered in English; or  you hold a current passport from the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, Canada or the Republic of Ireland. Any family members who are 18 years or older who do not have, or cannot demonstrate, a functional level of English will be required to pay the second instalment of the Visa Application Charge. The Visa Application Charges will be available on the department's website http://www.immi.gov.au and are subject to adjustments on 1 July