Recognition to Cambridge English test by UK and Australia (31st August 2011)
The Cambridge University's Certificate of Advanced English is now recognized by the Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and UK Border Agency (UKBA). This test can be taken to confirm your English language ability when applying for a student or immigration visa.
The decision was made by UK immigration and Australia immigration in a bid to attract more students to higher education establishments both in Australia and the UK as said by Cambridge. Both countries have recently been facing same kind of problems for bringing in stricter student immigration rules.
UKBA now recognizes Cambridge's Key English Test, Preliminary English Test, Business English Certificate, Certificated Version of Business Language Testing Service, Certificate of Advanced English, and Certificate of Proficiency in English, International Legal English Certificate and International Certificate of Financial English as suitable tests to confirm English language ability.
In the past, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was the main test used for assessing English language ability. However, it is not always easy for students to find places on IELTS courses due to the high demand for these tests.