A Corruption and Crime Commission hearing in Western Australia has been told that a university staff member received thousands of dollars to falsify English language test scores for visa applications.

The international English language testing system is used to substantiate English competency for permanent residency work and student visas.

Curtin University in Perth is one of dozens of institutions that administers the test around Australia.

A CCC senior counsel Peter Quinlan has told the hearing that the Commission has strong evidence to suggest a Curtin staff member has falsified dozens of test scores in return for thousands of dollars.

The hearing has been shown evidence of one Indian national who allegedly paid $11,000 for his score to be improved.

An immigration department officer has testified the test is a cornerstone of the visa application process and the deliberate falsification of scores could undermine the integrity of the program.