Changes to English Language Tests for Visa Applicants from 7 August 2025

Starting 7 August 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs is updating its list of accepted English language tests and revising score requirements for visa applicants.

New Accepted English Tests

From this date, applicants can submit results from three newly approved tests:

  • CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)

  • LANGUAGECERT Academic

  • Michigan English Test (MET)

These test results will be considered valid for up to 3 years from the date of testing, aligning with existing test validity standards.

Updated Score Requirements

To ensure consistency across all testing formats, score thresholds for the following tests have been revised:

  • PTE Academic

  • C1 Advanced

  • OET

  • TOEFL iBT

These changes aim to align required scores more accurately with the levels of English proficiency expected under Australia’s visa framework.

Important Note: The C1 Advanced test is no longer accepted for Vocational English 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

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

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

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

Note: Lower scores may be acceptable if the applicant is enrolled in 10–20 weeks of ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students).


Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

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

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

Who is 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:

  • United Kingdom

  • United States

  • Canada

  • New Zealand

  • Republic of Ireland

Note: If you wish to claim Proficient or Superior English points under GSM, a test is still required regardless of nationality.

If you are applying for Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English language ability. The required level of English depends on the visa subclass you are applying for and there are 4 different levels of English which may be relevant:

  • Superior English: 20 points in GSM points test
  • Proficient English: 10 points in GSM points test
  • Competent English: threshold requirement for General Skilled Migration and 186 ENS/187 RSMS Direct and Transition stream
  • Vocational English
  • Functional English: for secondary applicants seeking to avoid paying the English Language Charge

From 14 December 2022, IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) will be available for certain test takers.  OSR allows test takers to retake one of the four test components in either reading, writing, speaking or listening (once only).

For Australian visa purposes, the Department will accept IELTS test results that include OSR, with the exception of applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485, which need scores from a single sitting/attempt.

Book a meeting today for a commitment free briefing with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.

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