The NAATI CCL test is one of the cheapest ways to add points to an Australian skilled-migration application — a pass is worth 5 points on the points test. But it's a single sitting at a real cost, so it pays to go in knowing the numbers, the process, and the deadlines. Here's everything on the money and logistics side, current for 2026.
What the NAATI CCL test costs
NAATI sets its fees per financial year. For the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, the costs are:
| Item | Fee (AUD) | When you'd pay it |
|---|---|---|
| CCL test | A$814 | To sit the test (one attempt) |
| CCL review / remark | A$187 | Optional — to have a failed result re-marked |
| Official marked practice test | A$165 | Optional — one practice dialogue marked by NAATI |
These are NAATI's own charges and are reviewed each year, so always confirm the current figure on the official NAATI fees page before you pay. Budget for the possibility of a resit too — the pass isn't guaranteed on the first go.
How to book
Booking is done entirely online:
- Create or sign in to your myNAATI account on the NAATI website.
- Apply for the CCL test in your language, then choose from the available test dates and sessions.
- Pay the A$814 fee to confirm your seat.
Bookings for a given session close about one week before the test date, and popular languages and dates fill up — so book as early as you can. Check current availability on our exam dates guide.
Rescheduling & cancellation
| Action | Deadline | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reschedule to a later date | Up to 8 days before the test | No cost |
| Cancel | More than 2 days before the test | 75% of the fee refunded |
| Cancel | Within 2 days of the test | No refund |
If life gets in the way, rescheduling (rather than cancelling) is almost always the better move — it's free up to 8 days out and you keep your full fee.
Results & review
NAATI emails your CCL result within about 4 to 6 weeks of the test. You'll get a pass or a not-yet-competent outcome for the sitting.
If you don't pass but score 58 or higher, you can apply for a review (remark) within 30 days of receiving your result, for the A$187 review fee. If your score was well below the threshold, a review rarely changes the outcome — your time and money are usually better spent preparing for a resit.
The pass mark — and the mistake people make
This is where candidates get confused, so it's worth being precise. The CCL test is two dialogues, each marked out of 45 (90 total). To pass, you must clear both of these:
- at least 29 out of 45 in each dialogue, and
- at least 63 out of 90 overall.
So a strong performance on one dialogue can't fully rescue a weak one — you have to be solid on both. Marks come off for accuracy (additions, omissions, distortions), language quality, and delivery. For the full breakdown, see our scoring guide.
⚠️ A$814 is a lot to risk on an unprepared attempt
The single most expensive way to take the CCL is to under-prepare, fail, and pay again. The test rewards specific, trainable skills — domain vocabulary, memory span, and interpreting meaning rather than words. Practising against the real marking model before you book turns that A$814 into a one-time cost, not a recurring one.
Make your one attempt count
Practise all 12 domains with 80 real dialogues in your language, each scored on the actual NAATI deduction model — accuracy, language and delivery, not an AI guess. Free to start, no card required.
Start practising free →Get the NAATI CCL vocabulary pack
390 terms across all 12 exam domains — in your language, with the script and the pronunciation. Sent to your inbox, free.