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.
Changes to English Language Tests for Visa Applicants from 7 August 2025
PTE Academic Test Enhancements – Effective from 7 August 2025
National Innovation Visa – Victoria Criteria
Permanent Resident child born overseas
Australian child born overseas