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Australian Government Overhauls English Language Tests for Visa Applicants
Australian Government Overhauls English Language Tests for Visa Applicants
Australian Government Overhauls English Language Tests for Visa Applicants
Effective: 7 August 2025
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced major changes to English language testing for visa applicants. These updates impact approved test types, score thresholds, validity periods, and acceptance rules. If you are applying for an Australian visa, it is important to review these changes carefully to ensure you meet the new requirements.
1. New Approved English Tests
From 7 August 2025, the following tests are newly accepted for visa applications:
CELPIP General – Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
LanguageCert Academic
Michigan English Test (MET)
Validity: Results will be accepted for up to 3 years from the test date (same as existing tests).
2. Updated Score Requirements
The Department has revised score thresholds for:
PTE Academic
C1 Advanced
OET
TOEFL iBT
? Important: C1 Advanced is no longer accepted for Vocational English requirements.
3. English Levels and Minimum Scores
Competent English
(Required for General Skilled Migration, ENS/RSMS Direct and Transition Stream)
Functional English
(Basic proficiency – often for secondary applicants)
Validity: 12 months
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Average band 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total 26 |
| PTE Academic | 24 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 38 |
| MET | 38 |
| CELPIP General | 5 |
| OET | 1020 |
Vocational English
(For certain skilled & employer-sponsored visas)
Proficient English
(GSM applicants – 10 points)
| 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
(GSM applicants – 20 points)
| 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 |
4. Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Applicants must meet English requirements unless exempt based on nationality.
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 47 |
| TOEFL iBT | 67 |
| OET | 1210 |
| CELPIP General | 7 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 61 |
| MET | 53 |
???? Lower scores may be accepted if enrolled in 10–20 weeks of ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students).
5. Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – Standard Stream
(Higher requirements apply for tests taken on or after 7 Aug 2025)
| Test | L | R | W | S | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| 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 |
6. Exemptions from English Testing
No test is required if you hold a valid passport from:
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
New Zealand
Republic of Ireland
Note: To claim Proficient or Superior English points under GSM, a test is still required regardless of nationality.
7. Key Takeaways
3 new tests now accepted – CELPIP, LanguageCert, MET
Score thresholds revised for multiple tests
C1 Advanced removed from Vocational English list
Test validity remains 3 years (Functional English – 12 months)
English requirement level depends on visa category (Functional ? Superior
