Introduction
Australia Government has released a new English score framework used for visa and migration purposes from 7 August 2025. Following this new framework, the required test scores for visa applicants will change, and a wider range of English tests will be accepted
More English tests accepted when applying for Australian visas
Before 07 August 2025, Australian Government only accepts the following English tests for visa application:
- C1 Advanced
- IELTS
- OET
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
From 07 August 2025, the list of accepted English tests has been expanded, including:
- C1 Advanced
- IELTS Academic
- IELTLS General Training
- OET
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- CELPIP
- LANGUAGECER T Academic
- MET
Changes in the required English scores
For the English tests which are previously approved, there are some changes in the score threshold. Below is the comparison in the accepted score before and after 7 August 2025.
C1- Advanced
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | 200 | 186 | 185 | 175 | 169 | 163 | 154 | Not accepted |
147 total |
Not accepted |
| Reading | 200 | 190 | 185 | 179 | 169 | 163 | 154 | Not accepted | Not accepted | |
| Writing | 200 | 210 | 185 | 193 | 169 | 170 | 154 | Not accepted | Not accepted | |
| Speaking | 200 | 208 | 185 | 194 | 169 | 179 | 154 | Not accepted | Not accepted | |
IELTS Academic
The required scores remain unchanged before and after 08 August 2025 for IELTS tests
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
4.5 average |
4.5 average |
| Reading | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Writing | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Speaking | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | ||
OET
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | A | 390 | B | 350 | B | 290 | B | 220 |
Not accepted |
1020 Overall |
| Reading | A | 400 | B | 360 | B | 310 | B | 240 | ||
| Writing | A | 420 | B | 380 | B | 290 | B | 200 | ||
| Speaking | A | 400 | B | 360 | B | 330 | B | 270 | ||
PTE Academic
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | 69 | 58 | 47 | 33 |
24 overall |
|||||
| Reading | 70 | 59 | 48 | 36 | ||||||
| Writing | 85 | 69 | 51 | 29 | ||||||
| Speaking | 88 | 76 | 54 | 24 | ||||||
TOEFL iBT
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 8 |
24 overall |
26 total |
| Reading | 29 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 16 | 4 | 8 | ||
| Writing | 30 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 9 | ||
| Speaking | 26 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 14 | ||
New English tests
CELPIP General
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | Not accepted | 10 | Not accepted | 9 | Not accepted | 7 | Not accepted | 5 | Not accepted |
5 overall |
| Reading | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| Writing | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| Speaking | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
IELTS General Training
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | Not accepted | 8 | Not accepted | 7 | Not accepted | 6 | Not accepted | 5 | Not accepted |
4.5 average |
| Reading | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | ||||||
| Writing | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | ||||||
| Speaking | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | ||||||
MET
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted | 61 | Not accepted | 56 | Not accepted | 49 | Not accepted |
38 overall |
| Reading | 63 | 55 | 47 | |||||||
| Writing | 74 | 57 | 45 | |||||||
| Speaking | 59 | 48 | 38 | |||||||
LANGUAGECERT Academic
| Superior | Proficient | Competent | Vocational | Functional | ||||||
| Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | Before 07 Aug | From 07 Aug | |
| Listening | Not accepted | 80 | Not accepted | 67 | Not accepted | 57 | Not accepted | 41 | Not accepted |
38 Overall |
| Reading | 83 | 71 | 60 | 44 | ||||||
| Writing | 89 | 78 | 64 | 45 | ||||||
| Speaking | 89 | 82 | 70 | 54 | ||||||
Conclusion
From 7 August 2025, Australia will not only accept a broader range of English proficiency tests but also apply updated score requirements for certain exams. These changes aim to provide more flexibility for applicants while ensuring consistent language standards for visa/migration purposes.
If you wish help for visa/migration services, contact SOL Edu and Migration on 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com. Our Experienced Registered Migration Agents are willing to help!