The Australian Department of Home Affairs is updating English language requirements starting 7 August 2025, affecting most visa subclasses. They are updating its list of accepted English language tests and revising score requirements for visa applicants.
Below are the key changes which are coming with this:
- Test Date Matters: Score requirements will vary depending on whether your English test was taken before or after 7 August 2025.
- Revised Minimum Scores: Updated benchmarks now apply across all English proficiency levels — Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, and Superior. One of the most notable updates is the revision of PTE score requirements.
- New Approved English Tests: Australia now recognises additional test providers, including:
- CELPIP
- LANGUAGECERT Academic
- MET
The tables below shows all the new score requirements and the comparison with old score requirements:
- The old score is shown in italics (within brackets)- This will still remain valid for the tests completed before 7th Aug 2025.
- Amber indicates an increase in the required score, while Green signifies a reduction in the score requirement with the changes.
Superior English
| Test Sub-skill | C1 Advanced | PTE | TOEFL | IELTS | OET | CELPIP General | LANGUAGECERT | MET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 186 (200) | 69 (79) | 26 (28) | 8 | 390 (A) | 10 | 80 | Not accepted |
| Reading | 190 (200) | 70 (79) | 27 (29) | 8 | 400 (A) | 10 | 83 | Not accepted |
| Writing | 210 (200) | 85 (79) | 30 (30) | 8 | 420 (A) | 12 | 89 | Not accepted |
| Speaking | 208 (200) | 88 (79) | 28 (26) | 8 | 400 (A) | 10 | 89 | Not accepted |
Proficient English
| Test Sub-skill | C1 Advanced | PTE | TOEFL | IELTS | OET | CELPIP General | LANGUAGECERT | MET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 175 (185) | 58 (65) | 22 (24) | 7 | 350 (B) | 9 | 67 | 61 |
| Reading | 179 (185) | 59 (65) | 22 (24) | 7 | 360 (B) | 8 | 71 | 63 |
| Writing | 193 (185) | 69 (65) | 26 (27) | 7 | 380 (B) | 10 | 78 | 74 |
| Speaking | 194 (185) | 76 (65) | 24 (23) | 7 | 360 (B) | 8 | 82 | 59 |
Competent English
| Test Sub-skill | C1 Advanced | PTE | TOEFL | IELTS | OET | CELPIP General | LANGUAGECERT | MET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 163 (169) | 47 (50) | 16 (12) | 6 | 290 (B) | 7 | 57 | 56 |
| Reading | 163 (169) | 48 (50) | 16 (13) | 6 | 310 (B) | 7 | 60 | 55 |
| Writing | 170 (169) | 51 (50) | 19 (21) | 6 | 290 (B) | 7 | 64 | 57 |
| Speaking | 179 (169) | 54 (50) | 19 (18) | 6 | 330 (B) | 7 | 70 | 48 |
Vocational English
| Test Sub-skill | C1 Advanced | PTE | TOEFL | IELTS | OET | CELPIP General | LANGUAGECERT | MET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Not accepted (154) | 33 (36) | 8 (4) | 5 | 220 (B) | 5 | 41 | 49 |
| Reading | Not accepted (154) | 36 (36) | 8 (4) | 5 | 240 (B) | 5 | 44 | 47 |
| Writing | Not accepted (154) | 29 (36) | 9 (14) | 5 | 200 (B) | 5 | 45 | 45 |
| Speaking | Not accepted (154) | 24 (36) | 14 (14) | 5 | 270 (B) | 5 | 54 | 38 |
Functional English
| C1 Advanced | PTE | TOEFL | IELTS | OET | CELPIP General | LANGUAGECERT | MET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not accepted (147) | 24 overall (30) | 26 total (32) | 4.5 average | 1020 overall (NA) | 5 overall | 38 overall | 38 overall |
Latest Changes to English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas – Effective 7 August 2025
The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a new legislative instrument, LIN 25/089, which comes into effect on 7 August 2025. This update revises the English language proficiency requirements and expands the list of approved English test providers for applicants of the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa.
Formally titled the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025, LIN 25/089 repeals the previous instrument (LIN 24/021) and applies specifically to the Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams.
What’s Changed
- Scope: This update is specific to Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas.
- Providers: The list now includes C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS (General Training/Academic), LanguageCert Academic, MET, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT.
- Scores: Benchmarks are revised. Tables below show Old (LIN 24/021) vs New (LIN 25/089) requirements.
- Test date matters (saving provision): If you take a test between 7 Aug 2024 and 6 Aug 2025 (inclusive) and lodge your Sc 485 application on/after 7 Aug 2025, you can rely on those results using the same providers and scores as LIN 24/021 (details under “Tests undertaken before commencement”).
| Sub-skill / Test | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training/Academic | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
| Overall score | 176(176) | 8(8) | 6.5(6.5) | 67(67) | 58(58) | 1310(1310) | 57(55) | 83(81) |
| Listening | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 49(49) | 53(53) | 260(260) | 43(40) | 7(12) |
| Reading | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 54(54) | 51(51) | 280(280) | 48(42) | 8(12) |
| Writing | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 56(56) | 51(51) | 260(260) | 51(41) | 18(14) |
| Speaking | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 62(62) | 43(43) | 310(310) | 42(39) | 16(17) |
| Sub-skill / Test | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training/Academic | LANGUAGECERT Academic | |
| Overall score | 176(176) | 8(8) | 6.5(6.5) | 67(67) | |
| Listening | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 49(49) | |
| Reading | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 54(54) | |
| Writing | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 56(56) | |
| Speaking | 162(162) | 6(6) | 5.5(5.5) | 62(62) | |
| Sub-skill / Test | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
| Overall score | 58(58) | 1310(1310) | 57(55) | 83(81) |
| Listening | 53(53) | 260(260) | 43(40) | 7(12) |
| Reading | 51(51) | 280(280) | 48(42) | 8(12) |
| Writing | 51(51) | 260(260) | 51(41) | 18(14) |
| Speaking | 43(43) | 310(310) | 42(39) | 16(17) |
English Language Scores: Hong Kong & British National (Overseas) Passport Holders
| Sub-skill / Test | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training/Academic | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
| Overall score | 169(169) | 7(7) | 6(6) | 61(61) | 53(53) | 1210(1210) | 50(47) | 64(67) |
| Listening | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 41(41) | 49(49) | 220(220) | 36(33) | 4(8) |
| Reading | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 44(44) | 47(47) | 240(240) | 36(36) | 4(8) |
| Writing | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 45(45) | 45(45) | 200(200) | 36(29) | 14(9) |
| Speaking | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 54(54) | 38(38) | 270(270) | 36(24) | 14(14) |
| Sub-skill / Test | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training/Academic | LANGUAGECERT Academic | |
| Overall score | 169(169) | 7(7) | 6(6) | 61(61) | |
| Listening | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 41(41) | |
| Reading | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 44(44) | |
| Writing | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 45(45) | |
| Speaking | 154(154) | 5(5) | 5(5) | 54(54) | |
| Sub-skill / Test | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | |
| Overall score | 53(53) | 1210(1210) | 50(47) | 64(67) | |
| Listening | 49(49) | 220(220) | 36(33) | 4(8) | |
| Reading | 47(47) | 240(240) | 36(36) | 4(8) | |
| Writing | 45(45) | 200(200) | 36(29) | 14(9) | |
| Speaking | 38(38) | 270(270) | 36(24) | 14(14) | |
Tests Undertaken Before Commencement (Saving Provision)
If you lodge a valid Sc 485 application on or after 7 Aug 2025 and you undertook an English test between 7 Aug 2024 and 6 Aug 2025 (inclusive), you may rely on that result provided that:
- The test is from the same providers listed in Schedules 3 & 4 of the instrument (same as LIN 24/021)
- You achieved the same scores as LIN 24/021 and provide evidence of that result.
Application
Commencement date: 7 August 2025.
Applies to: Sc 485 applications made on or after this date (with the saving provision above for tests taken before commencement).
