NAATI CCL test explained — format, scoring, booking, and prep.
Use this page to understand the official exam structure and how to plan your preparation. Nothing hyped—just the requirements, timelines, and tools you need to earn the five PR points with confidence.
The NAATI Credentialed Community Language test has two recorded dialogues (healthcare and community/legal contexts). You interpret each segment between English and your other language. Passing both dialogues (29/45 minimum) and achieving 63/90 overall grants you five migration points.
Before you book, know the exam structure.
Each dialogue lasts about 8–10 minutes. You hear a segment, interpret it into the target language, then interpret the response back into English. Scores focus on conveying meaning accurately, not literal word-for-word translation.
Dialogue 1
Healthcare / community services
Dialogue 2
Government, legal, or settlement contexts
Test day flow
- 1. Identity check and equipment scan (online) or desk setup (in-person).
- 2. Short practice segment to confirm audio levels.
- 3. Dialogue 1 (healthcare focus) — consecutive interpretation.
- 4. Two-minute break to reset notes and mindset.
- 5. Dialogue 2 (community/legal focus) — consecutive interpretation.
- 6. Confirmation that responses were recorded successfully.
Scoring and pass marks.
Your score is cumulative across both dialogues, but you must meet the minimum in each. NAATI markers note penalties for omissions, incorrect meaning, and language quality lapses.
Passing thresholds
Overall
63 / 90
Equivalent to ~70% across both dialogues.
Per dialogue
29 / 45
Failing one dialogue fails the entire test even if the combined score exceeds 63.
~60% weighting
Accuracy
- Meaning transfer
- No omissions
- Correct numbers and names
~30% weighting
Language quality
- Grammar and register
- Appropriate vocabulary
- Fluency
~10% weighting
Community fit
- Cultural awareness
- Professional tone
- Context alignment
Booking timeline and practical notes.
Slots release weekly and disappear fast. Plan around visa timelines by securing a date 2–3 months out, leaving room to rebook if needed.
Prepare documents
Create or update your NAATI account and have photo ID ready.
Watch Tuesday release
Test slots open weekly at 11:00am AEST in the NAATI portal.
Select delivery mode
Choose online (ProctorU) or in-person at a NAATI test centre.
Pay the fee
Confirm your language pair and pay $800 AUD to secure the booking.
Receive confirmation
NAATI emails your booking details, rules, and pre-test checklist.
Booking tips
- Check the portal a few minutes before 11:00am AEST on Tuesdays; refresh if slots do not appear immediately.
- Have two or three backup dates ready—rescheduling within five days of the test forfeits the fee.
- Online sittings suit most candidates. Choose in-person only if your environment is noisy or internet is unreliable.
Fees, rescheduling, and retest policies.
Factor in retest fees and timelines when planning your visa. NAATI keeps policies consistent across languages.
Current fees
$800 AUD per attempt (GST inclusive). Payable by card via the NAATI portal at the time of booking.
Rescheduling
Changing your booking more than 5 calendar days before the test costs $55. Within 5 days, the full fee is forfeited.
If you need a retest
You can rebook as soon as a slot is available. Use your official feedback report to identify which dialogue or criteria missed the threshold.
Preparation that mirrors the exam.
Use a mix of dialogues, mock exams, and feedback loops that line up with NAATI expectations. PassNAATI gives you tools to stay accountable without guessing.
Map your baseline
Practice a sample dialogue and review NAATI-aligned scoring so you know where accuracy slips or segments stall.
Build weekly momentum
Combine short dialogues, vocabulary refreshers, and mock exams to keep accuracy and fluency consistent.
Book with evidence
Track predicted score range and dialogue breakdowns so you only schedule the official test when both dialogues are above the pass line.
Frequently asked questions.
Straight answers based on the current NAATI guidelines (checked February 2025). Always confirm any policy changes directly with NAATI before booking.
What is the NAATI CCL test?
NAATI CCL (Credentialed Community Language) measures how well you interpret everyday conversations between English and another language. Passing awards five points toward skilled migration visas.
How is the exam delivered?
You can sit NAATI CCL online through ProctorU or at select NAATI offices in Australia. Both modes use the same dialogue structure and scoring.
What score do I need to pass?
You need at least 63 out of 90 overall, plus a minimum of 29 out of 45 on each dialogue. Falling short on one dialogue results in a fail even if the total is above 63.
How quickly are results released?
NAATI publishes results 8–10 business days after your test. You receive an email and can download the outcome letter from the portal.
Ready to prepare with clarity?
Create a free PassNAATI account to run 3 AI-scored dialogues, track your readiness, and plan a booking date you can trust. Upgrade to $99/mo only if unlimited practice, mock exams, and coach support will speed things up.