Australian Visa English Language Requirements – Updated August 2025
From 7 August 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs introduced changes to accepted English language tests and the scores required for visa applications.
If you are applying for an Australian visa, your application may require you to demonstrate a specific level of English — Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, or Superior. The scores you need, and the tests that are accepted, will depend on:
The visa subclass you apply for
When you took your test
Whether your results are still within their validity period
1. Which English Tests Are Accepted?
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, accepted secure test centre options are:
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training (including One Skill Retake, if eligible)
LANGUAGECERT Academic Test
Michigan English Test (MET, including Single Section Retake)
Occupational English Test (OET – for health professionals)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
TOEFL iBT
For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 (usable until 6 August 2028 for some visas):
Cambridge English (CAE/C1 Advanced)
IELTS (including One Skill Retake)
PTE Academic
OET
TOEFL iBT
2. Online Tests Not Accepted
The Department does not accept English test results from remote-proctored or at-home formats.
Examples not accepted include: CELPIP Online, IELTS Online, LANGUAGECERT Academic Online, MET Digital (at-home), OET@Home, and TOEFL iBT – Home Edition.
3. English Levels and Required Score:
Below is a plain-English breakdown of what each level requires — with exact scores for tests taken before and after the August 2025 change.
1) Functional English
Ways to prove:
Passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland (British National Overseas passports not accepted)
Degree, diploma, trade certificate, or higher qualification taught entirely in English (min. two years full-time study)
Required years of English-language schooling
Approved test scores
Test scores – on or after 7 August 2025:
CELPIP General – overall band at least 5
IELTS Academic or General – average band at least 4.5
MET – overall score at least 38
OET – overall score at least 1020
LANGUAGECERT Academic – overall score at least 38
PTE Academic – overall score at least 24
TOEFL iBT – total score at least 26
Test scores – on or before 6 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – total band at least 147
IELTS Academic or General – average band at least 4.5
PTE Academic – total score at least 30
TOEFL iBT – total score at least 32
2) Vocational English:
Ways to prove:
Passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland (British National Overseas passports not accepted)
Approved test scores in each component (listening, reading, writing, speaking)
Test scores – on or after 7 August 2025:
CELPIP General – minimum 5 in each component
IELTS Academic or General – minimum 5 in each component
MET – Listening 49, Reading 47, Writing 45, Speaking 38
OET – Listening 220, Reading 240, Writing 200, Speaking 270
LANGUAGECERT Academic – Listening 41, Reading 44, Writing 45, Speaking 54
PTE Academic – Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29, Speaking 24
TOEFL iBT – Listening 8, Reading 8, Writing 9, Speaking 14
Test scores – on or before 6 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – minimum 154 in each component
IELTS Academic or General – minimum 5 in each component
OET – Grade B in each component
PTE Academic – minimum 36 in each component
TOEFL iBT – Listening 4, Reading 4, Writing 14, Speaking 14
3) Competent English:
Ways to prove:
Passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland (British National Overseas passports not accepted)
Approved test scores in each component
Test scores – on or after 7 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – Listening 163, Reading 163, Writing 170, Speaking 179
CELPIP General – 7 in each component
IELTS Academic or General – 6 in each component
MET – Listening 56, Reading 55, Writing 57, Speaking 48
OET – Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330
LANGUAGECERT Academic – Listening 57, Reading 60, Writing 64, Speaking 70
PTE Academic – Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT – Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
Test scores – on or before 6 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – minimum 169 in each component
IELTS Academic or General – minimum 6 in each component
OET – Grade B in each component
PTE Academic – minimum 50 in each component
TOEFL iBT – Listening 12, Reading 13, Writing 21, Speaking 21
4) Proficient English
Test scores – on or after 7 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – Listening 175, Reading 179, Writing 193, Speaking 194
CELPIP General – Listening 9, Reading 8, Writing 10, Speaking 8
IELTS Academic or General – 7 in each component
MET – Listening 61, Reading 63, Writing 74, Speaking 59
OET – Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 380, Speaking 360
LANGUAGECERT Academic – Listening 67, Reading 71, Writing 78, Speaking 82
PTE Academic – Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76
TOEFL iBT – Listening 22, Reading 22, Writing 26, Speaking 24
Test scores – on or before 6 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – minimum 185 in each component
IELTS Academic or General – minimum 7 in each component
OET – Grade B in each component
PTE Academic – minimum 65 in each component
TOEFL iBT – Listening 24, Reading 24, Writing 27, Speaking 23
5) Superior English
Test scores – on or after 7 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – Listening 186, Reading 190, Writing 210, Speaking 208
CELPIP General – Listening 10, Reading 10, Writing 12, Speaking 10
IELTS Academic or General – 8 in each component
OET – Listening 390, Reading 400, Writing 420, Speaking 400
LANGUAGECERT Academic – Listening 80, Reading 83, Writing 89, Speaking 89
PTE Academic – Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85, Speaking 88
TOEFL iBT – Listening 26, Reading 27, Writing 30, Speaking 28
Test scores – on or before 6 August 2025:
Cambridge C1 Advanced – minimum 200 in each component
IELTS Academic or General – minimum 8 in each component
OET – Grade A in each component
PTE Academic – minimum 79 in each component
TOEFL iBT – Listening 28, Reading 29, Writing 30, Speaking 26
4. Legislative References
These requirements are found in:
Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/014)
Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016)
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Disclaimer: Important notice for all our social media followers and website readers. Content shared here by Visamigo Lawyers and its affiliates is not to be considered as immigration or legal advice. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance. This material offers general insights (accurate at the time of posting, subject to updates) and is not exhaustive. Prior to any application, it is recommended you consult an Australian Lawyer for personalised advice. Your journey matters, so ensure you're properly informed.
