Australian Government Overhauls English Language Tests for Visa Applicants

New Accepted English Tests

Starting August 7, 2025, applicants can submit results from three new 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.

English Requirements for All Australian Visas

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 relev2ant:

• 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

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