The Australian Department of Home Affairs has officially amended its English language test requirements for a wide range of visa subclasses, including Student, Skilled, and Temporary Graduate visas. These changes came into effect on 7 August 2025 and introduce both new test options and updated score requirements.
This update is critical for all current and future visa applicants to review, as it may impact eligibility and test selection.
KEY UPDATES
1. New English Language Tests Accepted
In addition to the existing tests, the following three English language tests are now approved:
- CELPIP General
- LanguageCert Academic
- Michigan English Test (MET)
These join the existing list:
- IELTS (General and Academic, including One Skill Retake)
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- OET (for healthcare professionals)
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced
Note: Only in-person versions of these tests are accepted. Online or at-home formats are NOT eligible for visa purposes.
2. Revised Score Thresholds
The required scores for several English levels (Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, and Superior) have been adjusted for consistency across all accepted tests.
Notably:
- PTE Academic (Functional English): Now requires 24 (was 30)
- TOEFL iBT (Functional English): Now requires 26 (was 32)
These changes aim to standardise assessment levels across providers without lowering the actual proficiency standard.
3. Transitional Arrangements
- Test results obtained before 6 August 2025 may still be accepted under transitional provisions, depending on the visa subclass and validity period (generally up to 3 years).
- Applicants with pending applications or who recently took a test should confirm continued eligibility under the new framework.
4. Re-take provision allowed for certain visas and tests
Subclass 485, has extended provision to allow for a One Skill Retake (OSR) or Single Section retake (SSR) for IELTS or Michigan English Test. See link here for fuller details
5. Summary of scores for each visa type
STUDENT, SUBCLASS 500
See Legislative instrument LIN 25/090
TEMPORARY GRADUATE, SUBCLASS 485
Table A. For all applicants, except in table B below
Table B. For all applicants who are Holders of British National (BNO) or Hong Kong passports
LANGUAGE TESTS, TEST SCORES AND PASSPORTS FOR ALL OTHER VISAS
updated the test scores which are used to establish the vocational, competent, proficient and superior English language proficiency for an English test that is conducted after 7 August 2025.
See Legislative instrument LIN 25/016
FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH
See Legislative instrument LIN 25/014
The test for validity of Functional English Language is met by either:
(A) test taken within 12 months immediately before the application date; or
(B) test taken on or after the application date.
6. Important Reminders
- Home-based tests (e.g. TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Online, CELPIP Online) are NOT accepted.
- If you’re planning to take a test soon, choose an approved test in an in-person format.
- The changes affect a wide range of visas, including:
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
- Subclass 500 (Student Visa)
- Subclass 491, 494, 186, 189, 190 (Skilled Visas)
- There is currently no change to the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482, Departments website news article.
🎯 What You Should Do Now
✅ Review your current English test status
✅ Choose an approved provider if you haven’t yet taken a test
✅ Ensure your scores meet the updated thresholds
✅ Consult us to determine how these changes may affect your application
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