There are two numbers on this page, and only one of them is the one that should worry you. The headline is AUD $814 per sittingfor the 2026–27 fee period — GST included, confirmed against NAATI's own published schedule. The number that actually decides how much this exam costs you is the secondsitting: the one you pay in full, with no discount, if the first attempt doesn't go well. This guide breaks down every real fee, and makes the case for treating preparation as what stands between you and paying twice.
- The NAATI CCL sitting fee is AUD $814 for the 2026–27 period, GST included — confirm the current figure on naati.com.au before booking.
- The fee is identical whichever CCL language you sit, so cost is never a reason to second-guess a language you've already settled on.
- There's no re-sit discount: fail once and the next attempt costs the full fee again, with nothing subtracted for the first try.
- Two optional extras exist alongside the sitting fee: a result review/remark (~$187) and an official marked practice test (~$165).
- The test is booked and sat online, from home, through your NAATI account — book early, since capacity can fill.
The number everyone searches for
For the 2026–27 fee period, NAATI's published schedule lists the CCL sitting fee at:
What else can appear on the invoice
The sitting fee is the main event, but a few optional services sit alongside it. You don't need any of these to take the test — they exist for specific situations. Recently published amounts look like this:
| Fee | Approx. amount (AUD) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| CCL test sitting | ~$814 | The standard fee to take the test once. |
| Result review / remark | ~$187 | Optional — if you want your result formally reviewed. |
| Official marked practice test | ~$165 | Optional — a NAATI-marked practice run before you sit. |
| Re-sit | ~$814 again | Full fee — there's no discount for repeat attempts. |
The line that isn't on the invoice: a second sitting
Look at the last row again. Because there is no re-sit discount, the number worth planning around was never the $814 — it's that same $814, unchanged, charged a second time if the first attempt doesn't clear the pass mark. NAATI doesn't soften a re-sit in any way: no partial credit, no reduced fee, nothing carried over from the first try. That single fact reframes the whole budget: the cheapest way to sit the CCL is to pass it the first time, which makes preparation the actual cost-control lever here, not the fee itself.
This is exactly why we keep saying preparation is the best money you spend on this exam. For the full cost-benefit picture — including whether the fee is worth it for your situation — see our honest cost guide, and our breakdown of the 5 PR points the fee buys you.
Booking and payment logistics
Paying is the easy part — knowing how the booking flow works just saves you a scramble. Here's the shape of it; confirm the exact steps on naati.com.au, as portals and options are updated from time to time.
- 1Create or sign in to your NAATI accountBookings run through your online NAATI account (the myNAATI portal). You'll need your identity details ready.
- 2Choose your language and test windowSelect Tamil and an available online test date. Popular windows can fill quickly, so flexibility helps.
- 3Pay the fee at bookingThe sitting fee (around AUD $814) is paid at the time you book, by card. Your booking isn't confirmed until payment goes through.
- 4Book early if timing mattersIf your result feeds a migration deadline, factor in both the booking lead time and the ~4–6 week result wait afterwards.