Introduction
From 7 August 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs will introduce changes to its approved English language tests and required scores for visa applicants.
Newly Approved English Tests
Applicants will now be able to submit results from three additional tests:
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CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
-
LANGUAGECERT Academic
-
Michigan English Test (MET)
As with other approved tests, results will remain valid for up to three years from the test date.
Revised Score Requirements
To maintain consistency across test formats, the score benchmarks for the following tests have been updated:
-
PTE Academic
-
C1 Advanced
-
OET
-
TOEFL iBT
These revisions better align the required scores with the English proficiency levels expected under Australia’s visa criteria.
Key Update
The C1 Advanced test will no longer be accepted for meeting Vocational English requirements.
English requirements for Student (Sc 500) visas
Applicants must meet English test requirements unless exempt based on nationality.
Minimum scores (no ELICOS required):
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 47 |
| TOEFL iBT | 67 |
| OET | 1210 |
| CELPIP General | 7 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 61 |
| MET | 53 |
Tests Completed Before the Instrument Commences
An applicant will be considered to have the required English language proficiency if:
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They lodge a valid Subclass 500 visa application on or after 7 August 2025.
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The application includes evidence that the applicant has taken one of the approved English tests listed in the instrument (with the same requirements as the previous instrument LIN 24/022) within one of these timeframes:
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Between 6 August 2025 and 7 August 2027 (inclusive), immediately before submitting the visa application.
-
Between 6 August 2025 and 7 August 2027 (inclusive), immediately before a decision is made to grant or refuse the visa, and prior to the commencement date of this instrument.
-
-
The applicant has achieved the required test score specified in Schedule 3 of the instrument, which remains unchanged from the previous instrument LIN 24/022.
English language Requirements for Temporary Graduate (Sc 485) visas
Minimum scores (Standard Stream):
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Overall/Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 average band |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 81 |
| PTE Academic | 40 | 42 | 41 | 39 | 55 |
| OET | 260 | 280 | 260 | 310 | 1310 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 49 | 54 | 56 | 62 | 67 |
| MET | 53 | 51 | 51 | 43 | 58 |
| CELPIP General | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Tests Completed Before the Commencement of This Instrument
As outlined in section 10 of the instrument, a person will be considered to have met the English language requirements for subparagraphs 485.212(1)(a)(i) and (ii) or 485.212(1)(b) if:
- They lodge a valid Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa application in either the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or the Post-Higher Education Work stream on or after 7 August 2025.
- They have undertaken one of the approved English tests listed in Schedules 3 and 4 of the instrument — the same providers as in LIN 24/021.
- The test was completed between 7 August 2024 and 6 August 2025 (inclusive).
- They provide evidence of achieving the required score specified in Schedules 3 and 4, which are unchanged from LIN 24/021.
These countries are Exempt from English Testing?
You do not need to provide English test results if you hold a valid passport from one of the following countries:
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United Kingdom
-
United States
-
Canada
-
New Zealand
-
Republic of Ireland
Note: To claim Proficient or Superior English points under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, you must provide an eligible English test result this requirement applies regardless of nationality.
New Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports
Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 15/016)
The Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 15/016) repeals the Migration Regulations 1994 – Specification of Language Tests, Score and Passports 2015 (IMMI 15/005). This instrument specifies the approved English language tests and required scores used to assess English proficiency for Australian visas, updating both the recognised test providers and score requirements.
Tests Completed Before the Commencement of This Instrument
Under section 10, a person will be considered to meet the required English language proficiency if:
- They lodge a valid visa application on or after 7 August 2025.
- They have taken an approved test listed in subsection (2), (4), (6) or (8) — the same providers as in the previous instrument — within the 36 months immediately before the date of application.
- The test was completed before 7 August 2025.
- They achieved the required score specified in subsection (3), (5), (7) or (9), which remain unchanged from IMMI 15/005.
Application
The instrument took effect on 7 August 2025 and applies to visa applications made from that date. However, it includes a saving provision allowing tests taken before commencement to be accepted, provided they meet the above requirements.
Competent English – Minimum Score Requirements
To satisfy the Competent English level, applicants must achieve the following minimum scores:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
| MET | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
Functional English
Purpose: Demonstrate basic English proficiency through education or testing.
Test score requirements (valid for 12 months):
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Average band score of 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of 26 |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 24 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall score of 38 |
| MET | Overall score of 38 |
| CELPIP General | Overall score of 5 |
| OET | Overall score of 1020 |
The English test must be taken within 12 months immediately before the date the relevant nomination or visa application is lodged, or on or after the date the application or nomination is made. This requirement is unchanged from the previous instrument, but the wording in the new instrument has been updated for greater clarity.
Tests undertaken before commencement of the instrument
Under section 7 of the instrument, a person will be considered to have the required functional English (as per paragraph 5(2)(b) of the Act) and meet the requirements of paragraph 5.17(a) of the Regulations if:
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The relevant application is lodged on or after 7 August 2025.
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They have completed one of the approved tests listed in subsections 7(2), (3), (4) or (5) — the same providers as in the previous instrument IMMI 15/004.
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The test was taken between 5 August 2024 and 6 August 2025 (inclusive).
- They provide evidence of achieving the required score specified in subsections 7(2), (3), (4) or (5), which remain unchanged from IMMI 15/004.
Vocational English
Purpose: Required for certain skilled and employer-sponsored visas.
**Minimum score in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking):
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
Proficient English
Purpose: For General Skilled Migration (GSM) applicants claiming 10 points for English.
Minimum score in each component:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| OET | 350 | 360 | 380 | 360 |
| C1 Advanced | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
| MET | 61 | 63 | 74 | 59 |
Superior English
Purpose: For GSM applicants claiming 20 points for English.
Minimum score in each component:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
| OET | 390 | 400 | 420 | 400 |
| CELPIP General | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 80 | 83 | 89 | 89 |
| C1 Advanced | 186 | 190 | 210 | 208 |
| MET | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted |
Comparison
Functional English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall score of 4.5 | Average score of 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 30 | Overall score of 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of 32 | Total score of 26 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Total score of 147 | N/A |
| MET | N/A | Overall score of 38 |
| CELPIP | N/A | Overall score of 5 |
| OET | N/A | Overall score of 1020 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | N/A | Overall score of 38 |
Vocational English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5 in each component | 5 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 36 in each component | Listening: 33, Reading: 36, Writing: 29, Speaking: 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 4, Reading: 4, Writing: 14, Speaking: 14 | Listening: 8, Reading: 8, Writing: 9, Speaking: 14 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 154 in each component | Not accepted for this level from 7 Aug 2025 |
| MET | Not accepted | Listening: 49, Reading: 47, Writing: 45, Speaking: 38 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | 5 in each component |
| OET | B in each component | Listening: 220, Reading: 240, Writing: 200, Speaking: 270 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 41, Reading: 44, Writing: 45, Speaking: 54 |
Competent English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|
| IELTS | 6 in each component | 6 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 50 in each component | Listening: 47, Reading: 48, Writing: 51, Speaking: 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 12, Reading: 13, Writing: 21, Speaking: 21 | Listening: 16, Reading: 16, Writing: 19, Speaking: 19 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 in each component | Listening: 163, Reading: 163, Writing: 170, Speaking: 179 |
| MET | Not accepted | Listening: 56, Reading: 55, Writing: 57, Speaking: 48 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | 7 in each component |
| OET | B in each component | Listening: 290, Reading: 310, Writing: 290, Speaking: 330 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 57, Reading: 60, Writing: 64, Speaking: 70 |
Proficient English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 in each component | 7 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 65 in each component | Listening: 58, Reading: 59, Writing: 69, Speaking: 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 24, Reading: 24, Writing: 27, Speaking: 23 | Listening: 22, Reading: 22, Writing: 26, Speaking: 24 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 185 in each component | Listening: 175, Reading: 179, Writing: 193, Speaking: 194 |
| MET | Not accepted | Listening: 61, Reading: 63, Writing: 74, Speaking: 59 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | Listening: 9, Reading: 8, Writing: 10, Speaking: 8 |
| OET | B in each component | Listening: 350, Reading: 360, Writing: 380, Speaking: 360 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 67, Reading: 71, Writing: 78, Speaking: 82 |
Superior English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|
| IELTS | 8 in each component | 8 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 79 in each component | Listening: 69, Reading: 70, Writing: 85, Speaking: 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 28, Reading: 29, Writing: 30, Speaking: 26 | Listening: 26, Reading: 27, Writing: 30, Speaking: 28 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 200 in each component | Listening: 186, Reading: 190, Writing: 210, Speaking: 208 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | Listening: 10, Reading: 10, Writing: 12, Speaking: 10 |
| OET | A in each component | Listening: 390, Reading: 400, Writing: 420, Speaking: 400 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 80, Reading: 83, Writing: 89, Speaking: 89 |