- Which country accepts which test
- Format at a glance
- IELTS General Training to CLB conversion
- The listening and writing bars
- CRS points by CLB level
- How many abilities you must clear
- How long a result stays valid
- Which should you take?
Both CELPIP General and IELTS General Training are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs and citizenship. Since 7 August 2025, CELPIP General is accepted by Australia's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as well. This page compares which country accepts which test, how IELTS converts to CLB, what each level is worth in CRS points, and the rules on validity and retakes.
IRCC treats the two as equivalent, and neither earns more CRS points — points come from the CLB level you reach, not the certificate. IELTS General Training is reported on a 0–9 band and converted to CLB using IRCC's published table; CELPIP General is numbered 1–12 and maps one-to-one onto CLB.
Which country accepts which test
IRCC and DHA keep separate accepted-test lists.
| Test | Canada (IRCC) | Australia (DHA) |
|---|---|---|
| CELPIP General | Yes — IRCC-designated for Express Entry, PNPs and citizenship | Yes — added to the accepted list on 7 August 2025 |
| IELTS General Training | Yes — the only IELTS version Express Entry accepts | Yes |
| IELTS Academic | No for Express Entry | Yes |
| CELPIP General LS (Listening and Speaking only) | Yes — used for Canadian citizenship | No — not accepted |
| Online / at-home versions (CELPIP Online, IELTS Online) | Check the program | No — tests must be taken at a secure test centre |
Two details are easy to miss. IRCC accepts IELTS General Training for Express Entry but not IELTS Academic, so a result sat for university admission will not work. DHA accepts both IELTS versions but rejects online delivery: CELPIP Online and IELTS Online are excluded, and CELPIP General LS is not accepted for Australian visas. Subclass detail is on the CELPIP for Australia (DHA visas) page.
Format at a glance
CELPIP General is computer-delivered end to end, including speaking, in a single sitting. IELTS General Training can be paper or computer, and its speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, often on another day.
| CELPIP General | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Computer only | Paper or computer |
| Listening | 6 parts, 38 scored questions, 47–55 minutes | Separate listening section |
| Reading | 4 parts, 38 scored questions, 55–60 minutes | Separate reading section |
| Writing | 2 tasks, 53–60 minutes, typed | Handwritten or typed |
| Speaking | 8 tasks, 15–20 minutes, recorded to computer | Face-to-face with an examiner |
| Total sitting | About 3 hours, single sitting, no separate speaking appointment | Speaking often on a separate day |
| Results | Online in 8 business days (3 with express rating) | Check the provider's current turnaround |
| Scoring | 1–12, maps 1:1 to CLB | 0–9 band scale |
In CELPIP every answer, writing included, is typed and speaking is recorded; in IELTS you may handwrite and you will speak to a live examiner. CELPIP General also uses Canadian English, while IELTS draws on international accents. Full component breakdowns are on the CELPIP test format page.
IELTS General Training to CLB conversion
CELPIP General maps one-to-one onto CLB, so a CELPIP 9 is CLB 9 in that ability. IRCC converts each IELTS band to a CLB level, and the band required differs by ability. The table shows the IELTS General Training bands IRCC publishes for each CLB level beside the equivalent CELPIP General score.
| CLB level | IELTS Listening | IELTS Reading | IELTS Writing | IELTS Speaking | CELPIP General |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 or more | 8.5–9.0 | 8.0–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 7.5–9.0 | 10, 11 or 12 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 9 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 8 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7 |
| CLB 5 or more (second-language threshold) | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5 or more |
This table captures the most useful point in the comparison. At CLB 9, three abilities need an IELTS band of 7.0, but listening needs 8.0 — a full band higher, while CELPIP General needs 9 everywhere. IRCC publishes no finer bands below its second-language threshold of CLB 5, so any more detailed IELTS-to-CLB conversion you see elsewhere did not come from IRCC.
The listening and writing bars, side by side
Because CELPIP is flat and IELTS is not, the two tests ask different things at the same outcome. CLB 9, the level most Express Entry applicants aim for, shows it clearly.
| Ability | IELTS General Training band for CLB 9 | CELPIP General score for CLB 9 | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 8.0 | 9 | The highest IELTS bar of the four |
| Reading | 7.0 | 9 | A full band below the listening bar |
| Writing | 7.0 | 9 | Same band as reading |
| Speaking | 7.0 | 9 | Same band as reading |
An IELTS candidate at 7.0 in all four abilities therefore reaches CLB 9 in reading, writing and speaking but only CLB 8 in listening. CELPIP General leaves no such internal gap, but also no ability where less than 9 reaches CLB 9. Whether that makes CELPIP listening easier depends on your own profile; the fair comparison is the CLB level each test produces.
CRS points by CLB level
Express Entry awards language points per ability, depending on your CLB level in that ability and on whether you apply with a spouse or partner.
| CLB level | CRS points per ability, with a spouse | CRS points per ability, without a spouse | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 or more | 32 | 34 | 10, 11 or 12 | 8.5 / 8.0 / 7.5 / 7.5 or higher |
| CLB 9 | 29 | 31 | 9 | 8.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 22 | 23 | 8 | 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 16 | 17 | 7 | 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 |
| Maximum across all four abilities | 128 | 136 | Four abilities at CLB 10 or more | |
There is no averaging here: each ability climbs or falls on its own. An IELTS candidate with 8.0 listening and 7.0 elsewhere collects 29 (or 31) points in each ability; if listening slipped to 6.0, that ability alone would fall to CLB 7 and 16 (or 17) points. Model your own totals in the CLB and CRS calculator, or see CELPIP score for Express Entry for the surrounding rules.
How many abilities you must clear
Canadian programs set a minimum in all four abilities rather than an average. Federal Skilled Worker requires CLB 7 in all four; the Canadian Experience Class requires CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3; Federal Skilled Trades requires CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
Because a single weak ability is decisive, check the bar skill by skill: a CELPIP 9 in writing will not rescue a CELPIP 6 in speaking, and an IELTS 8.0 in reading will not rescue a 5.0 in listening. The level descriptors behind these numbers are in the CLB score guide and CELPIP levels explained. Australia works the same way, component by component: Competent English is CELPIP 7 in each, with Proficient English worth 10 points and Superior English 20 on the skilled visa points test.
How long a result stays valid
Express Entry language results must be less than two years old both when you complete your profile and when you apply for permanent residence, so a result can expire while a profile sits in the pool. CELPIP's own score validity is two years. Australia uses a transition rule: CELPIP General joined the accepted list on 7 August 2025, and where a subclass permits older tests, results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 are usable until 6 August 2028.
One further restriction applies before any retake: IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry, so you would need a full IELTS General Training result or a CELPIP General result.
Which should you take?
There is no single winner, but usually a best answer for your situation.
| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need one result for both Canada and Australia | CELPIP General | IRCC-designated for Canada and accepted by DHA since 7 August 2025, so one result can serve both |
| Canada only, and you want the highest CLB for the least difficulty | Compare the listening and writing bars | For CLB 9, IELTS needs 7.0 in reading, writing and speaking against CELPIP's 9, but 8.0 in listening against CELPIP's 9 |
| Your target PNP stream names a specific test | Follow the stream | Most PNPs accept CELPIP General, but a few name IELTS |
| Australian skilled migration at Competent English | Either, but sat at a test centre | Competent English is CELPIP 7 in each component, and DHA does not accept online tests |
| You are chasing the Superior English bonus | CELPIP General | DHA publishes Superior English in CELPIP per-component terms |
| You hoped to rely on an IELTS One Skill Retake | Plan for a full test | IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry |
| Canadian citizenship only | CELPIP General LS | Two components, Listening and Speaking, but not accepted for Australian visas |
In short: if you may apply to both countries, CELPIP General is the only test of the two that covers both. If your target is Canada alone and you want the highest CLB for the least difficulty, the answer turns on the listening bar, where the IELTS requirement sits a full band above its other three. For the same comparison in fully computer-delivered form, see CELPIP vs PTE Core.
Sources: IRCC (canada.ca) language test equivalency tables and CRS criteria; Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) English level and accepted test pages; Paragon CELPIP-General Guidebook.
Last reviewed: 29 September 2026.