Proposed English test a hurdle for migrants escaping violent partners We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Normal text size Advertisement A federal government proposal to require migrants on partner visas to pass an English language test before obtaining permanent residency could make it harder for victims of domestic violence to seek help, submissions to a public consultation warn. Former acting minister for immigration Alan Tudge said last October there were nearly a million people in Australia who do not speak English well or at all and half of them were working age. He said the enhanced language requirement along with an expansion of the government-funded free English tuition would boost social and economic outcomes for migrants.