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CCL test rules and online setup checklist

Updated 26 October 2026 · Test facts checked against NAATI's website on 26 October 2026

The CCL test is online only, on NAATI's test platform with ProctorExam supervision. You need your own computer with Google Chrome, a phone or tablet as a second camera, a quiet room and no headphones. During the test you start within 5 seconds of each chime, may repeat one segment per dialogue without penalty, may take notes on loose paper, and must keep your performance under 20 minutes.

Before test day

  • Apply in your myNAATI account. Once NAATI approves your application, choose a test date and pay the fee (A$814).
  • Book in time: bookings close 1 week before the test date. Test times are in Australian Eastern Time (Sydney and Melbourne time).
  • Need another date? Rescheduling is free up to 8 days before the test. If you cancel at least 1 hour before the start, you can get 75% of the test fee back.
  • Do the system check at least 48 hours before your test, with the same computer, phone, room and internet connection you will use on the day. ProctorExam emails the instructions one week before the test.
  • When the system check asks, install the ProctorExam extension in Google Chrome and the ProctorExam app on your phone or tablet, and turn off any ad blocker in Chrome.
  • Try NAATI's free practice test on the test platform. When you book, NAATI also emails you a link to a practice test.
  • If you use hearing aids, tell NAATI at least one week before your test.

Equipment checklist

  • Your own laptop or desktop computer. NAATI warns that work, university and library computers often cannot reach the test platform.
  • A working camera, working built-in or external speakers and microphone, and the power cord.
  • The latest version of Google Chrome.
  • A phone or tablet with a working camera (Android 8+ or iOS 15.8+), as a second camera, with the ProctorExam app.
  • Internet of at least 10 Mbps download and 1.5 Mbps upload, with a latency (ping) of 25 ms or less. Not a public connection, such as a library, university or workplace network.
  • No headsets, headphones or earphones of any kind: wired, wireless or Bluetooth.
  • A pen, loose sheets of paper (not a notebook or notepad) and a glass of water.
  • Your identity document: a current passport (from any country), or an Australian or New Zealand ID document such as a driver's licence.

Your room

  • A quiet room with no other people in it, and a clear desk.
  • Your phone or tablet, the second camera, beside you, so NAATI can see you taking notes.
  • Every other device off and in another room, smart watches and second screens too. Only one screen is allowed.
  • Your face clearly visible the whole time, with no virtual background.
  • Once the test starts, you cannot pause it, leave the room or disconnect a camera until it is complete. If you do, the test may be cancelled without a refund.

During the test

  • Start within 5 seconds of the chime. Long pauses may cost marks.
  • Speak in the first person, as the speaker. NAATI says indirect speech (“he says that…”) is not acceptable: it may cost marks, and a whole dialogue in indirect speech may invalidate your test.
  • One repeat per dialogue is free. To hear a segment again, press “Finish attempt”, then “Start”: the whole segment plays again. More than one repeat in a dialogue costs marks.
  • You may correct yourself. Say first that you are correcting, for example “Sorry, I'll just say that part again”, then give the correct version. Correcting yourself again and again may cost marks.
  • Notes on paper only, with a pen and loose sheets. No typed notes, no notes brought in, and no electronic resources such as dictionaries, web browsing, live captions or transcription.
  • Keep your performance under 20 minutes. That counts the recordings of the segments and your interpreting, not the time to move between segments, read instructions or upload your answers. NAATI may stop assessing your performance at 20 minutes.

After the test

  • Results come by email within 4 to 6 weeks. NAATI sends each result as it is finalised, so people who sat the test on the same day may get theirs on different days.
  • To pass you need 63 out of 90, and at least 29 in each dialogue.
  • If you fail with 58 or more, you can apply for a review (A$187) in myNAATI within 30 days of receiving your results: another examiner marks your test again.
  • NAATI's validity period is 5 years for credentials issued from 9 August 2022, and 3 years for results issued before that.
  • Report any problem you had during the test to NAATI within 24 hours, by email to onlinetesting@naati.com.au.

Practise the rules

CCL Mate's mock tests follow these rules: a chime after each segment, “Start” and “Finish attempt” buttons as in the online test, and one free repeat per dialogue. The free version includes a full mock test: see the free CCL practice test, and the CCL test guide for the format, fees and marking.

Questions

Can I take notes in the CCL test?

Yes, with a pen on loose sheets of paper. You cannot type notes or bring any notes you made before. Your second camera, beside you, lets NAATI see you taking notes.

Can I use headphones or earphones in the CCL test?

No. NAATI allows no headsets, headphones or earphones of any kind, wired, wireless or Bluetooth. Use your computer's built-in or external speakers and microphone.

How many times can I repeat a segment?

One repeat per dialogue is allowed without penalty: press “Finish attempt”, then “Start”, and the whole segment plays again. Each further repeat in the same dialogue costs marks.

Can I correct myself in the CCL test?

Yes. If you notice an error, say first that you are correcting it, for example “Sorry, I'll just say that part again”, then give the correct version. Long pauses or repeated corrections may cost marks.

What internet speed do I need for the CCL test?

At least 10 Mbps download and 1.5 Mbps upload, with a latency (ping) of 25 ms or less, on a private connection: NAATI says library, university and workplace networks can block the test platform.

Sources: NAATI, Credentialed Community Language test and NAATI, CCL candidate instructions (checked 26 October 2026). CCL Mate is not affiliated with NAATI; always confirm the current rules with NAATI.

cclmate.com/ccl-test-rules · CCL test rules checklist by CCL Mate, independent practice for the NAATI CCL test. Not affiliated with NAATI. Checked against NAATI's website on 26 October 2026; always confirm the current rules with NAATI.