The changes, which come into force in September, are designed to ensure that migrants have a better chance of securing a job amid a shortage of skilled workers.

"We need to improve the level of English if they're going to stay on and work in Australia," Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews told ABC radio.

"It's important from the position of the student who wants to stay here and have a job.

"It's also important from the position of the employer to ensure that somebody coming here and staying on a skilled migration visa is able to understand English and therefore do the job."

Under the new laws, migrants with professional, technical or managerial skills will be required to achieve a score of six, or competent English, on the International English Testing System.

Previously the acceptable level was five, the same standard required of applicants with recognised trade skills.

Students who want to apply for a general skilled migration visa will also have to have a stronger understanding of the English language and undertake relevant work experience, Andrews said.

Opposition immigration spokesman Tony Burke said the new measures were long overdue.

"We can't continue to have highly qualified engineers who aren't able to converse at the workplace, ending up driving Sydney cabs," he said.