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 increases minimum English language requirement. The settings for this cohort remains 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.
Increased English language test scores for Temporary Graduate visas
Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 476 (Skilled – Recognised Graduate) and Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument (LIN 24/021) 2024 increases the English language test scores applicable to a Temporary Graduate (sc 485) visa and reduces the period in which the scores must have been achieved from three years to one year before the day on which the visa application was made..
The amendments to the test scores can be found in the table below. Please note that the new required test scores are in the final column in green.
| Test name | Old required test score | New required test score |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | (a) an overall band score of 6; and
(b) a score of at least 5 for each test component |
(a) an overall band score of at least 6.5; and
(b) a score of at least 5.5 for each test component |
| Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE) | (a) an overall band score of at least 169; and
(b) a score of at least 154 for each test component |
(a) an overall band score of at least 176; and
(b) a score of at least 162 for each test component |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 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) | (a) an overall band score of at least 50
(b) for listening a score of at least 36; and (c) for reading a score of at least 36; (d) for speaking a score of at least 36 (e) for writing a score of at least 36 |
(a) an overall band score of at least 57; and
(b) for listening a score of at least 43; and (c) for reading a score of at least 48; (d) for speaking a score of at least 42 (e) for writing a score of at least 51 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)* | (a) a total overall score of at least 64; and
(b) for listening a score of at least 4 (c) for reading a score of at least 4 (d) for speaking a score of at least 14 (e) for writing a score of at least 14 |
(a) a total overall score of at least 83; and
(b) for listening a score of at least 7 (c) for reading a score of at least 8 (d) for speaking a score of at least 16 (e) for writing a score of at least 18 |
The test scores have not increased for Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders. The required test scores for this cohort remain at an overall band score of 6.0 for IELTS (or equivalent), and a score of at least 5.0 for each component of the IELTS (or equivalent) test.
The instrument commences on 23 March 2024 and applies to a Temporary Graduate (SC 485) visa lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
The instrument repeals IMMI 15/062- Migration Regulations 1994 – Specification of English Language Tests, Scores and Passports 2015. However, IMMI 15/062 continues to apply in relation to an application for a Temporary Graduate( sc 485) visa made but not yet finally determined before 23 March 2024.
For the 485 visa, you must either hold a certain passport or prove your English proficiency. To do this, you must show evidence that in the last 3 years, you obtained:
|
English test |
Minimum overall Score |
Total overall score |
Minimum scores for English test components |
|||
|
Listening |
Reading |
Speaking |
Writing |
|||
|
IELTS (General or Academic) |
6 |
– |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
OET |
B |
– |
B |
B |
B |
B |
|
TOEFL iBT |
– |
64 |
4 |
4 |
14 |
14 |
|
PTE Academic |
50 |
– |
36 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken on or after 1 January 2015) |
169 |
– |
154 |
154 |
154 |
154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | Overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | Total score of at least 64 with a minimum score of 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Overall score of at least 50 with a minimum score of 36 for each of the 4 parts |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 parts |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Overall at least 169 with a minimum score of at least 154 in each of the 4 test components |
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 3 years, you achieved one of the above scores.
See the latest 485 visa changes and updates:
