Changes have been introduced to update the approved English language test providers and the required test scores for an applicant to qualify for one of the following visas subclasses:
- Subclass 500 Student visa; and
- Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa.
Changes have also been introduced to the approved English language test providers and the required test scores for an applicant to meet one of the below English language competency requirements to qualify for an Australian visa (such as a skilled visa):
- Vocational English
- Competent English
- Proficient English
- Superior English
The new legislation also updates the English language tests and scores required to meet the definition of Functional English.
Importantly, even though these changes commenced on 7 August 2025 and apply to applications lodged on or after this date, transitional arrangements apply if you have undertaken an English language test before 7 August 2025, whereby the previous English language requirements (including previously approved English language test providers and required test scores) still apply.
Under the new requirements, there are now nine English language tests accepted. This has increased from the five tests that were previously accepted. Note, however, that not all of the English language tests are accepted under all the English language requirements, as discussed in this article. This is the case for meeting the Functional English language competency level, for example.
Please also note that the new English language test requirements will not apply to Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa applicants until 13 September 2025.
In this article, we outline the English language changes that have been introduced and explain what happens where an English language test has been undertaken before the commencement of these changes, which came into effect from 7 August 2025, for an application lodged from this date.
Approved English Test Providers
Listed below are the new approved English language test providers for Australian migration visa purposes for visa applications lodged on or after 7 August 2025 (that is, for Subclass 500 Student visa applicants, Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa applicants, and for applicants for an Australia visa, such as certain skilled visas, which require a specified English language competency).
Visa applicants must undertake one of the following approved English language tests:
- Cambridge Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
- International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic (IELTS Academic)
- International English Language Test System (IELTS) General Training (IELTS General Training)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
- Michigan English Test (MET)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
English Requirements For Subclass 500 Student Visas
Listed below in Table A are the required test scores for an applicant for a Subclass 500 Student visa.
Required English Test Scores
Table A
| Test name | Minimum test score | Minimum test score: if principal course is accompanied by at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS; or if a standard foundation program; or if an extended foundation program; or if an eligible pathway program | Minimum test score: if principal course is accompanied by at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS |
| C1 Advanced | Overall band score of 161 | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| CELPIP General | Overall band score of 7 | Overall band score of 6 | Overall band score of 5 |
| IELTS Academic | Average band score of 6.0 | Average band score of 5.5 | Average band score of 5.0 |
| IELTS General Training | Average band score of 6.0 | Average band score of 5.5 | Average band score of 5.0 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall band score of 61 | Overall band score of 54 | Overall band score of 46 |
| MET | Overall band score of 53 | Overall band score of 49 | Overall band score of 44 |
| OET | Overall band score of 1210 | Overall band score of 1090 | Overall band score of 1020 |
| PTE Academic | Overall band score of 47 | Overall band score of 39 | Overall band score of 31 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total band score of 67 | Total band score of 51 | Total band score of 37 |
Please note that the reference to an eligible pathway program in column 3 in the table above refers to specified courses that have been prescribed in the legislation.
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
Evidence Provided At Lodgement
If evidence of the test is provided at time of lodgement of a Subclass 500 Student visa application, the English test must have been undertaken in the two years immediately before the date of application lodgement.
Evidence Provided Post-Lodgement
If evidence of the test is provided after lodgement of a Subclass 500 Student visa application, the English test must have been undertaken within two years immediately before the day on which a decision to grant or refuse to grant the visa is made by the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA).
What If You Undertook The English Language Test Before The English Language Changes Commenced?
If you completed an English language test before 7 August 2025 (which is the date when these changes to the English test requirements commenced), and you apply for a Subclass 500 Student visa on or after 7 August 2025, the previous requirements apply, and you can provide an English language test from one of the below approved English language test providers:
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test/ Certificate in Advanced English
- International English Language Testing system (IELTS Test)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
For English language tests undertaken before 7 August 2025, the date by which it must have been undertaken is set out below.
Evidence Provided At Lodgement
If evidence of the test is provided at time of lodgement of a Subclass 500 Student visa application, the English test must have been undertaken within 24 months immediately before application lodgement.
Evidence Provided Post-Lodgement
If evidence of the test is provided after lodgement of a Subclass 500 Student visa application, the English test must have been undertaken within 24 months immediately before a decision is made on the application by DOHA.
Listed below in Table B are the required test scores for an applicant who undertook an English language test before 7 August 2025, and who applies for a Subclass 500 Student visa on or after 7 August 2025.
Required English Test Scores
Table B
| Test name | Minimum test score | Minimum test score: if principal course is accompanied by at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS; or if a standard foundation program; or if an extended foundation program; or if an eligible pathway program | Minimum test score: if principal course is accompanied by at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test/ Certificate in Advanced English | 169 | 162 | 154 |
| International English Language Testing system (IELTS Test) | Overall band score 6.0 | Overall band score of 5.5 | Overall band score of 5.0 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | a score of at least B for each test component | a score of at least B for each test component | a score of at least B for each test component |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) | 50 | 42 | 36 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) | 64 | 46 | 35 |
When Do The English Test Requirements Not Apply To Student Visa Applicants?
The following Student visa applicants are exempt from the requirement to provide an English language test in accordance with the requirements outlined above:
- If the visa applicant is a citizen of, and who holds a valid passport issued by:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the Republic of Ireland
- the United Kingdom (UK)
- the United States of America (USA)
- the visa applicant is enrolled in one of the following courses, and it is their only course of study under the Student visa:
- a course of study that is registered to be delivered in a language other than English
- an ELICOS
- a registered school course
- a registered post-graduate research course
- the visa applicant is one of the following:
- a Foreign Affairs student
- a Defence Student
- a Secondary exchange student
- a visa applicant who, in the two years before applying for a Subclass 500 Student visa, has successfully completed one of the following:
- the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that was conducted in Australia and in English
- a substantial component of a course leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher that was conducted in Australia and in English, whilst the applicant was holding a Student visa
- a visa applicant who has successfully completed a minimum of five years of study in English undertaken in one or more of the following countries;
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- the Republic of Ireland
- UK
- USA
English Requirements For Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visas
Listed below in Table C are the required test scores for an applicant for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Required English Test Scores
Table C
| English language test | Required test scores |
| C1 Advanced | not accepted |
| CELPIP General | an overall score of at least 8; and a score of at least 6 for the listening English test component; and a score of at least 6 for the reading English test component; and a score of at least 6 for the writing English test component; and a score of at least 6 for the speaking English test component. |
| IELTS Academic | an average band score of at least 6.5; and a score of at least 5.5 for each of the English test components. |
| IELTS General Training | an average band score of at least 6.5; and a score of at least 5.5 for each of the English test components. |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | an overall band score of at least 67; and a score of at least 49 for the listening English test component; and a score of at least 54 for the reading English test component; and a score of at least 56 for the writing English test component; and a score of at least 62 for the speaking English test component. |
| MET | an overall band score of at least 58; and a score of at least 53 for the listening English test component; and a score of at least 51 for the reading English test component; and a score of at least 51 for the writing English test component; and a score of at least 43 for the speaking English test component. |
| OET | an overall band score of at least 1310; and a score of at least 260 for the listening English test component; and a score of at least 280 for the reading English test component; and a score of at least 260 for the writing English test component; and a score of at least 310 for the speaking English test component. |
| PTE Academic | an overall band score of at least 55; and a score of at least 40 for the listening English test component; and a score of at least 42 for the reading English test component; and a score of at least 41 for the writing English test component; and a score of at least 39 for the speaking English test component. |
| TOEFL iBT | a total score of at least 81; and a score of at least 12 for the listening English test component; and a score of at least 12 for the reading English test component; and a score of at least 14 for the writing English test component; and a score of at least 17 for the speaking English test component. |
Please note that the required test scores for an applicant for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa who holds a Hong Kong passport or a British National (Overseas) passport are prescribed separately in the legislation.
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
The English test must have been undertaken within one year immediately before lodgement of your Temporary Graduate visa application.
Unless the English language test was an OET, the specified required language test score must have been achieved in a single sitting.
Listed below in Table D are the required test scores for an applicant who undertook an English language test before 7 August 2025, and who applies for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa on or after 7 August 2025.
Required English Test Scores
Table D
| Language test | Required language test score |
| the Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE) | an overall band score of at least 176; and a score of at least 162 for each English test component of the CAE. |
| the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | an overall band score of at least 6.5; and a score of at least 5.5 for each English test component of the IELTS. |
| the Occupational English Test (OET) | a score of at least B for each English test component of the OET. |
| the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) | an overall band score of at least 57; and for the listening English test component of the PTE, a score of at least 43; and for the reading English test component of the PTE, a score of at least 48; and for the writing English test component of the PTE, a score of at least 51; and for the speaking English test component of the PTE, a score of at least 42. |
| the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) | a total overall score of at least 83; and for the listening English test component of the TOEFL iBT, a score of at least 7; and for the reading English test component of the TOEFL iBT, a score of at least 8; and for the writing English test component of the TOEFL iBT, a score of at least 18; and for the speaking English test component of the TOEFL iBT, a score of at least 16. |
Please note that the required test scores for an applicant for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa who holds a Hong Kong or a British National (Overseas) passport are prescribed separately in the legislation.
When Do The English Test Requirements Not Apply To Temporary Graduate Visa Applicants?
The following Temporary Graduate visa applicants are exempt from the requirement to provide an English language test in accordance with the requirements outlined above:
- If the visa applicant is a citizen of, and who holds a valid passport issued by:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the Republic of Ireland
- the United Kingdom (UK)
- the United States of America (USA)
English Requirements for An Australian Visa
Listed below in Table E are the required test scores for an applicant for an Australian visa, such as a skilled visa, who is required to achieve a specified English competency level to qualify for the visa (i.e. Vocational, Competent, Proficient or Superior English).
Please note that these changes do not apply to all skilled visas. Some visas have their own specified English language requirements, such as the Subclass 482 Skills In Demand visa.
Required English Test Scores
Table E
| Level of English | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
| Vocational | Excluded | 5 (listening) | 5 (listening) | 5 (listening) | 41 (listening) | 49 (listening) | 220 (listening) | 33 (listening) | 8 (listening) |
| 5 (reading) | 5 (reading) | 5 (reading) | 44 (reading) | 47 (reading) | 240 (reading) | 36 (reading) | 8 (reading) | ||
| 5 (writing) | 5 (writing) | 5 (writing) | 45 (writing) | 45 (writing) | 200 (writing) | 29 (writing) | 9 (writing) | ||
| 5 (speaking) | 5 (speaking) | 5 (speaking) | 54 (speaking) | 38 (speaking) | 270 (speaking) | 24 (speaking) | 14 (speaking) | ||
| Competent | 163 (listening) | 7 (listening) | 6 (listening) | 6 (listening) | 57 (listening) | 56 (listening) | 290 (listening) | 47 (listening) | 16 (listening) |
| 163 (reading) | 7 (reading) | 6 (reading) | 6 (reading) | 60 (reading) | 55 (reading) | 310 (reading) | 48 (reading) | 16 (reading) | |
| 170 (writing) | 7 (writing) | 6 (writing) | 6 (writing) | 64 (writing) | 57 (writing) | 290 (writing) | 51 (writing) | 19 (writing) | |
| 179 (speaking) | 7 (speaking) | 6 (speaking) | 6 (speaking) | 70 (speaking) | 48 (speaking) | 330 (speaking) | 54 (speaking) | 19 (speaking) | |
| Proficient | 175 (listening) | 9 (listening) | 7 (listening) | 7 (listening) | 67 (listening) | 61 (listening) | 350 (listening) | 58 (listening) | 22 (listening) |
| 179 (reading) | 8 (reading) | 7 (reading) | 7 (reading) | 71 (reading) | 63 (reading) | 360 (reading) | 59 (reading) | 22 (reading) | |
| 193 (writing) | 10 (writing) | 7 (writing) | 7 (writing) | 78 (writing) | 74 (writing) | 380 (writing) | 69 (writing) | 26 (writing) | |
| 194 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 7 (speaking) | 7 (speaking) | 82 (speaking) | 59 (speaking) | 360 (speaking) | 76 (speaking) | 24 (speaking) | |
| Superior | 186 (listening) | 10 (listening) | 8 (listening) | 8 (listening) | 80 (listening) | Excluded | 390 (listening) | 69 (listening) | 26 (listening) |
| 190 (reading) | 10 (reading) | 8 (reading) | 8 (reading) | 83 (reading) | 400 (reading) | 70 (reading) | 27 (reading) | ||
| 210 (writing) | 12 (writing) | 8 (writing) | 8 (writing) | 89 (writing) | 420 (writing) | 85 (writing) | 30 (writing) | ||
| 208 (speaking) | 10 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 89 (speaking) | 400 (speaking) | 88 (speaking) | 28 (speaking) |
When Do The English Test Requirements Not Apply To These Visa Applicants?
The following visa applicants are exempt from the requirement to provide an English language test in accordance with the requirements outlined above (that is, to meet Vocational, Competent, Proficient or Superior English language competency level):
- If the visa applicant is a citizen of, and who holds a valid passport issued by:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the Republic of Ireland
- the United Kingdom (UK)
- the United States of America (USA)
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
The English test must have been undertaken within three years of application lodgement, unless you are applying for a visa for which you have received an invitation to apply for the visa, in which case the English language test must have been undertaken in the three years immediately before the invitation is received.
What If You Undertook The English Language Test Before The English Language Changes Commenced?
If you completed an English language test before 7 August 2025, and you apply for an Australian visa on or after 7 August 2025, you can provide an English language test that was undertaken by one of the below approved English language test providers:
- an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test
- an Occupational English Test (OET)
- a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
The English test must have been undertaken in the 36 months immediately before the date of application lodgement.
Required English Test Scores
Listed below in Table F are the required test scores for an applicant who undertook an English language test before 7 August 2025, and who applies for an Australian visa on or after 7 August 2025, and who must meet either a vocational, competent, proficient or superior English language competency to qualify for the visa.
Table F
| Level of English | IELTS | OET | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | CAE |
| Vocational | 5 (listening) 5 (reading) 5 (writing) 5 (speaking) | B (listening) | 4 (listening) | 36 (listening) | 154 (listening) |
| B (reading) | 4 (reading) | 36 (reading) | 154 (reading) | ||
| B (writing) | 14 (writing) | 36 (writing) | 154 (writing) | ||
| B (speaking) | 14 (speaking) | 36 (speaking) | 154 (speaking) | ||
| Competent | 6 (listening) | B (listening) | 12 (listening) | 50 (listening) | 169 (listening) |
| 6 (reading) | B (reading) | 13 (reading) | 50 (reading) | 169 (reading) | |
| 6 (writing) | B (writing) | 21 (writing) | 50 (writing) | 169 (writing) | |
| 6 (speaking) | B (speaking) | 18 (speaking) | 50 (speaking) | 169 (speaking) | |
| Proficient | 7 (listening) | B (listening) | 24 (listening) | 65 (listening) | 185 (listening) |
| 7 (reading) | B (reading) | 24 (reading) | 65 (reading) | 185 (reading) | |
| 7 (writing) | B (writing) | 27 (writing) | 65 (writing) | 185 (writing) | |
| 7 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 23 (speaking) | 65 (speaking) | 185 (speaking) | |
| Superior | 8 (listening) | A (listening) | 28 (listening) | 79 (listening) | 200 (listening) |
| 8 (reading) | A (reading) | 29 (reading) | 79 (reading) | 200 (reading) | |
| 8 (writing) | A (writing) | 30 (writing) | 79 (writing) | 200 (writing) | |
| 8 (speaking) | A (speaking) | 26 (speaking) | 79 (speaking) | 200 (speaking) |
Functional English Language Requirements For An Australian Visa
Listed below in Table G are the required test scores for an applicant for an Australian visa, who is required to achieve a Functional English language competency. Please note that Cambridge Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) English language test is not accepted for this purpose.
Required English Test Scores
Table G
| Language Tests | Average band score | Overall band score | Total band score |
| CELPIP General | at least 5 | ||
| IELTS Academic | at least 4.5 | ||
| IELTS General Training | at least 4.5 | ||
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | at least 38 | ||
| MET | at least 38 | ||
| OET | at least 1020 | ||
| PTE Academic | at least 24 | ||
| TOEFL iBT | at least 26 |
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
The English test must have been undertaken in the 12 months immediately before the date of application lodgement, or on or after the day on which the application is made.
When Do English Test Requirements Not Apply To Meet The Functional English Language Competency?
The following applicants are exempt from the requirement to provide an English language test to meet the Functional English language requirements outlined above:
- If the visa applicant is a citizen of, and who holds a valid passport issued by:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the Republic of Ireland
- the United Kingdom (UK)
- the United States of America (USA)
- the visa applicant provides evidence of having completed one of the following at an educational institution/s in which all instruction was conducted in English:
- all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education; or
- at least five years of secondary education
- the visa applicant provides evidence of having successfully completed, in Australia, at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards one or more of the following at an institution or institutions, where all the instruction was conducted in English:
- a degree; or
- a higher degree; or
- a diploma; or
- an associate diploma.
What If You Undertook The English Language Test Before The English Language Changes Commenced?
If you completed an English language test before 7 August 2025, and you apply for an Australian visa on or after 7 August 2025, to meet Functional English, you can provide an English language test that was undertaken by one of the below approved English language test providers:
- an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test
- a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
When Must The English Language Test Have Been Undertaken?
The English test must have been undertaken in the 12 months immediately before the date of application lodgement.
Required English Test Scores
Listed below in Table H are the required test scores for an applicant who undertook an English language test before 7 August 2025, and who applies for an Australian visa on or after 7 August 2025, and who must meet a Functional English language competency.
Table H
| Language Tests | Average band score | Overall band score | Total band score |
| IELTS | at least 4.5 | ||
| CAE | at least 147 | ||
| PTE Academic | at least 30 | ||
| TOEFL iBT | at least 32 |
Are Online English Tests Accepted For Australian Visa Purposes?
Tests may be available in either computer-based or paper-based formats, but the test must take place in a secure testing centre.
The DOHA does not accept evidence from English language tests that are delivered completely online (also known as ‘remote-proctored’ or ‘at-home’).
Examples of online tests that are not accepted for Australian visa purposes include:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at-home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT – Home Edition
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In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of the new English language requirements for Australian visas. Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice before you proceed with applying for an Australian visa, as being fully informed about the process and requirements that apply will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your application and thus lessen the chance that it will be refused. A migration professional can help you to do this. Start off on the right foot by contacting PAX Migration Australia today.
For up-to-date advice on the English language requirements, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.
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