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    485 Visa English requirements

485 Visa English requirements

English language Requirements for Temporary Graduate (Sc 485) visas

Important: Higher English score requirements apply for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.

Minimum scores (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025):

Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking Overall / total
IELTS (Academic or General Training) 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

Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025):

Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking Overall / total
IELTS (Academic or General Training) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 average band
TOEFL iBT 8 8 9 14 67
PTE Academic 33 36 29 24 47
OET 220 240 200 270 1210
LanguageCert Academic 41 44 45 54 61
MET 49 47 45 38 53
CELPIP General 5 5 5 5 7

Temporary Graduate visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024 have an increased English requirement:

  • The minimum score required increases from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • Passport holders from Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) are not required to meet this increased minimum English language requirement. The settings for this cohort remain at IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.0 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
  • The test validity window for all Temporary Graduate visa applications decreases from three years to one year. Applicants must provide evidence that they have completed an English language test no more than one year immediately before the date of the visa application.

Previous English test scores (23 March 2024 to 6 August 2025)

Between 23 March 2024 and 6 August 2025, the 485 test scores were set by the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 476 and Subclass 485 Visas) Instrument (LIN 24/021) 2024. For example, PTE Academic needed an overall score of 57 and TOEFL iBT a total of 83. Because your test must have been taken no more than one year before you apply, those older results can no longer be used for a new 485 application. Use the 7 August 2025 table above.

Other things to know about the 485 English requirement

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced is not on the list of accepted tests for 485 applications from 7 August 2025. Choose one of the tests in the tables above.
  • Tests taken fully online at home (such as MET Digital taken at home) are not accepted. You need to sit the test at an approved test centre.
  • Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders only need IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.0 in each component (or equivalent).
  • Passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland do not need to take a test.
  • You must have your test results when you lodge the application. Applications without evidence of English can be refused.
  • Some skills assessing authorities have their own English requirements for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, which can be higher than the visa requirement.

Skilled visa guides

For the 485 visa, you must either hold an eligible passport or prove your English proficiency. To do this, you must show evidence that in the 1 year before you applied, you achieved the scores in the table above for your test.

The same English requirement applies to both the Post-Higher Education Work stream and the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. Secondary applicants (partners and children) do not need to meet this English requirement.

If your test result is close to the minimum or is about to pass the one year limit, book a new test early. Results often take a few days to arrive and you must apply within 6 months of completing your course.

From 1 July 2026 the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for a Subclass 485 visa is $5,750 for the main applicant, $2,875 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,450 for each additional applicant under 18.

You can either show us that you hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, or prove your English proficiency. To do this, show us evidence that in the last 1 year, you achieved the scores above.

Find out more about English requirements for other Australian visas, or book a consultation if you are unsure whether your test result meets the 485 rules.

Related guides

English Requirements for All Australian Visas