IELTS Test result-has hearing difficulty

[Emmanuel]

Has anyone come across or has submitted an IELTS Test result where the examinee was exempted in one band for medical reasons.

I have a client who was allowed to sit the IELTS test despite her hearing difficulty She was exempted from the Listening band. She obtained marks of 8,8,8 and was allocated 1 for Listening.

If I submit this to DIAC how many points would she be awarded for this result? PAM3 only says that they will accept an IELTS test result where the applicant has an exemption for medical reasons. It did not say how many points will be awarded to the applicant.

Appreciate your input.

Kind regards

[Emmanuel]

I forwarded the query I raised here to DIAC. It took a few weeks for it to be responded, but the response is something to think about.

It seems that the situation all rests with the case officer who has the final discretion.

Please find below the reply from the independent skilled migration unit of DIAC.

From: independent.skilled@immi.gov.au [mailto:independent.skilled@immi.gov.au]
Sent: Friday, 16 July 2010 12:33 PM
To: Emmanuel Rodriguez SOLANA
Subject: Re: General Skilled Migration [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Dear Ms Rodriguez

I apologise for the delay in responding.

As you correctly point out our PAM mentions:

11 VISA APPLICANTS WITH HEARING OR OTHER IMPAIRMENTS
Visa applicants with hearing or other impairments are not exempt from any regulatory requirement to have a certain level of English proficiency.
Case officers should be aware that IELTSIELTS (for example) provides assistance /concessions to applicants with impairments. In considering whether an applicant has the required level of English proficiency, officers should consider:
• whether the applicant has obtained an exemption from IELTSIELTS for any component of the test on the basis of medical evidence and
• whether the applicant has obtained the required score in each IELTS component undertaken and
• whether the information and evidence presented to the department is sufficient to determine that the applicant meets the relevant English language threshold.
• If IELTS decides to exempt a person from sitting a particular component of the test on grounds of illness or impairment, that result would be acceptable for visa purposes.
Source: Migration > 1/7/2010 - > P. 1/7/2010 - > PAM3 - MIGRATION REGULATIONS > English proficiency & assessment > TESTS FOR ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

In the scenario you mention its is apparent that the client has proficient English in all except one component (due to an impairment). Generally a case officer may consider the client to have achieved proficient English in all the components based on the information you have provided.

However please note, this information is not binding on a case officer who will make a decision based on evidence provided to them and their interpretation of migration legislation.

Regards

Independent Skilled Migration Policy Mailbox
Department of Immigration and Citizenship

[Migration Help]

Thanks very much for sharing this information Emmanuel. A tremendous help for anyone else who faces a similar problem!

MH