The CCL test, explained

The Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test checks whether you can communicate at a community level between English and another language. It is run by NAATI, Australia’s national standards and certifying authority for translators and interpreters.

Most people take it because a pass can add points to a points-tested skilled migration visa application. It isnot a professional credential — passing doesn’t certify you to work as an interpreter or translator.

NAATI describes the expected level as upper intermediate in both languages, roughly B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

• Two dialogues, each about 300 words, between an English speaker and a speaker of your other language.
• Roughly half of each dialogue is in English and half in the other language.
• Each dialogue is split into segments of 35 words or fewer.
• After each segment a chime plays, and you interpret what was said into the other language.
• The two dialogues are on different topics.
• The test is online only, on NAATI’s testing platform, with remote proctoring.

Dialogues cover everyday situations in Australian life. NAATI lists these topic areas:

• Business
• Community
• Consumer affairs
• Education
• Employment
• Financial
• Health
• Housing
• Immigration/settlement
• Insurance
• Legal
• Social services

Building vocabulary across all twelve is one of the most useful things you can do before the test — seevocabulary tips.

Each dialogue is worth 45 marks, 90 in total. Marking works by deduction: you start at 90 and examiners take marks off for errors. The size of each deduction depends on how much the error affects communication.

To pass you need both of these:

• 63 marks or more overall, and
• at least 29 marks in each dialogue.

Errors fall into three areas:

• Accuracy — leaving out, adding or changing information.
• Quality of language — grammar, natural phrasing, pronunciation and the right level of formality.
• Quality of delivery — long pauses, hesitation and repeated self-correction.

There’s more on this in how the CCL test is marked.

• Start within five seconds of the chime. Long pauses can lose marks.
• One free repeat per dialogue. You can ask for one segment to be repeated in each dialogue without penalty; more repeats cost marks.
• Watch the total time. NAATI notes that deductions are more likely if the whole recording runs past 20 minutes.
• Match the speaker’s register — how formal or casual they sound.

NAATI’s candidate instructions cover the full rules on repeating, pausing and correcting yourself. Read them before test day.

• Cost: NAATI lists the test fee as $814 (checked October 2026). Fees change, so confirm on the NAATI site.
• Schedule: tests in each language run at least four times a year, monthly for high-demand languages. Times are in Australian Eastern Time.
• Results: sent by email within four to six weeks.
• Official practice test: NAATI also offers a practice test using past materials, marked with examiner feedback.

Facts on this page were checked against NAATI’s CCL test page on 2 October 2026. NAATI is the authority on the test — if anything here differs from their site, their site is right. NAATI CCL Prep is an independent practice tool and isn’t affiliated with NAATI.