The Ultimate Guide to English Language Requirement Changes (August 2025)

UPDATE:

From 13 September the CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and Michigan English Test are also accepted for Subclass 482 SID Visa applications.

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Get in touch with us to find out what is the minimum score required.

From 7 August 2025, Australia introduced major changes to English language requirements for many visas.
The changes affect:

• Which tests are accepted (now expanded from 5 to 9 providers)
  
• Minimum scores needed for each visa type
  
• How long your test results are valid
  
• Transitional rules if you took your test before 7 August 2025
  

These updates are important for anyone applying for a Student visa (Subclass 500), Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), or any skilled visa that requires a certain English level (e.g. Competent, Proficient, Superior).

1. Transitional Rules – Old vs New Test Scores

Your required score depends on when you took the test, not just when you apply for the visa.

• Test taken before 7 August 2025 ? Old scores and providers still apply, even if you apply after this date (within the validity period).
  
• Test taken on or after 7 August 2025 ? New scores and providers apply.
  

2. Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Test Provider	Minimum score	With 10+ weeks ELICOS/Foundation	With 20+ weeks ELICOS
IELTS Academic/General	6.0	5.5	5.0
PTE Academic	47	39	31
TOEFL iBT	67	51	37
OET	B in each component	1090	1020
C1 Advanced	161	Not accepted	Not accepted
CELPIP General	7	6	5
LANGUAGECERT Academic	54	46	46
MET	49	44	44

Validity:

At application: test no more than 24 months old.

If provided after lodgement: must be valid on decision date.

3. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Test Provider	Overall score	Minimum per skill
IELTS Academic/General	6.5	5.5
PTE Academic	57	43
TOEFL iBT	83	12–18
OET	1310	B in each component
C1 Advanced	176	162
CELPIP General	8	5.5–6
LANGUAGECERT Academic	67	49–54
MET	58	38–53

Special rule for Hong Kong & British National (Overseas) passport holders: lower minimums apply.
Validity: Test must be less than 12 months old at lodgement and completed in one sitting (except OET).

4. Skilled Visas – Vocational, Competent, Proficient, Superior English

These levels apply to visas such as Subclass 186 ENS, GSM visas, and others that refer to English levels in legislation.

Example – Competent English (most common requirement for skilled visas):

Test Provider	Overall score	Minimum per skill
IELTS Academic/General	6.0	6.0
PTE Academic	50	36–50
TOEFL iBT	73	12–18
OET	350	B in each component
C1 Advanced	169	163–170
CELPIP General	7	7
LANGUAGECERT Academic	60	45–47
MET	54	38–47

Validity: No more than 36 months old at time of invitation or lodgement (depending on the visa subclass).

5. Functional English

Functional English is required in situations such as including family members in a skilled visa.

Test Provider	Minimum overall score
IELTS Academic/General	4.5
PTE Academic	24
TOEFL iBT	26
OET	1020
CELPIP General	5
LANGUAGECERT Academic	38
MET	38

Validity: Taken within 12 months at time of decision (generally).

6. Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

English requirements remain unchanged until 13 September 2025. After this date, updates will apply.

So in summary

• From 7 August 2025, there are more accepted tests and updated score requirements.
  
• Whether you need the old or new scores depends on when you took the test.
  
• Check validity periods carefully to avoid a refused application.
  
• Skilled visa applicants should confirm which English level (Competent, Proficient, Superior) is required for their specific subclass.
  

With the right visa, you could live in one of the world’s most liveable cities! Contact Bravo Migration today to explore your options and take the first step toward a brighter future.

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Sources:
This guide is based on information from the Migration Institute of Australia the Department of Home Affairs.