Introduction
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is an Australian visa that allows international students who have completed their studies in Australia to stay, work and/or undertake further studies in the country temporarily after graduating. The 485 visa is designed to provide recent graduates with the opportunity to gain practical work experience, which can be valuable for their future careers and may also be a pathway to permanent residency.
In order to qualify for a Temporary Graduate Visa, you must:
- Be under 35 years of age
- Be under 50 years of age (PhD, Master by research, Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holder)
- Have held a student visa in the last 6 months
- Have completed your study in the last 6 months
- Meet the Australian Study requirements
- Meet the English requirements
- Provide evidence of adequate health insurance
- Meet the character requirements
Recently, the Australian Government has announced important changes to the minimum English score requirements for the 485 visa. These changes, effective from 7 August 2025, will affect which tests are accepted and the scores needed to qualify. If you are planning to apply for a 485 visa, it is crucial to understand these updates so you can prepare accordingly and avoid delays in your application.
What is English requirement before 07 August 2025?
Below are acceptable minimum English scores if tests were taken on or before 6 August 2025
| Test Sub-skill | CAE / C1 Advanced | IELTS | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
| Overall | 176 | 6.5 | B | 57 | 83 |
| Listening | 162 | 5.5 | B | 43 | 7 |
| Reading | 162 | 5.5 | B | 48 | 8 |
| Writing | 162 | 5.5 | B | 51 | 18 |
| Speaking | 162 | 5.5 | B | 42 | 16 |
What is English requirement on and after 07 August 2025?
Below are acceptable minimum English scores if tests were taken on and after 07 August 2025
| Test Sub-skill | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET* | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
| Overall | Not accepted | 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 67 | 58 | 1310 | 55 | 81 |
| Listening | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 49 | 53 | 260 | 40 | 12 |
| Reading | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 54 | 51 | 280 | 42 | 12 |
| Writing | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 56 | 51 | 260 | 41 | 14 |
| Speaking | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 62 | 43 | 310 | 39 | 17 |
For IELTS test, the Australian Government now accepts the test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for a Temporary Graduate visa. Any OSR must be completed prior to lodging your application. This means that if you have achieved an overall 6.5 but did not reach at least a 5.5 for all band scores, you may retake another IELTS test. You can then combine the two IELTS test results to meet the English requirement for a 485 visa subclass.
Conclusion
If you are an international graduate aiming to stay and work in Australia, it’s essential to stay informed about these changes and ensure you meet the English requirement in time. The good news is that options like the IELTS One Skill Retake now provide more flexibility to help applicants reach the required scores.
At SOL Migration, our experienced team can guide you through the process, assess your eligibility, and advise you on the best pathway to secure your visa. Contact us today to discuss your situation and get expert advice tailored to your future in Australia.