English language proficiency is a requirement for some Australian visa applications. The English language requirement ensures that visa holders can fully participate in the Australian community.
There are several approved English language tests for Australian visa applications. Applicants for certain visas must meet a required score to be eligible to apply.
As of 7th August 2025, the English language tests approved for Australian visa purposes changed.
The changes apply to:
- Functional English proficiency requirements;
- Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English language proficiency requirements;
- The Student (subclass 500) Visa; and
- The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa.
This is the first time in a decade that these scoring standards have been revised.
Regardless of whether the application is lodged on or after 7 August 2025, if an applicant has an English test which was conducted before 7 August 2025, the required test scores and relevant providers are maintained from the old requirements. If an applicant has an English test which was conducted on or after 7 August, the required test scores and relevant providers are those specified in the new requirements.
What Changes to English Language Requirements for Visas Have Been Made?
Changes apply to providers of English language testing and the scores required to meet visa application requirements.
English Language Test Providers
The following three language test providers have been added to the existing list of providers:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test
- Michigan English Test (MET),including Single Section Retake (SSR)
To improve clarity, the regulations now refer to both IELTS General Training and Academic, and the Cambridge English Advanced Test (CAE) is now Cambridge Advanced Test (C1 Advanced).
English Language Scores
Each language test provider has a different scoring range. English language tests assess proficiency in listening, reading, writing and speaking. The score for each of these elements determines the applicant’s English proficiency as functional, vocational, competent, proficient or superior. The changes that have come into effect have seen some of these scores increase or decrease.
The following tables show the comparison in English language testing scores for each proficiency before and after the changes were introduced.
Functional English
Vocational English
Competent English
Proficient English
Superior English
The following tables show the changes to English language requirements in relation to the Student (subclass 500) Visa and the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa.
Student (subclass 500) Visa
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa – Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) Passport Holders
For more details on English language requirements, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
The changes to English language requirements apply to all applications made on or after 7th August 2025.
For Student (subclass 500) Visa applicants who completed English language testing prior to 7th August, their test may still be valid if their test scores met the requirements of the previous instrument requirements, provided they also meet the following conditions:
– The test must be no more than 24 months old on the day the visa application is lodged, if English language evidence provided at the time of application.
– The test must be no more than 24 months old on the day the Department of Home Affairs makes its decision on the visa application if English language evidence is provided after lodgement.
For Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa applicants who completed English language testing prior to 7th August and achieved the required test scores, their test can still be used provided:
– Evidence of English language proficiency is provided at the time of application, and the test is no more than 12 months old on the day the Temporary Graduate Visa application is lodged.
– The required score was achieved in a single sitting (unless it was an OET)
To learn more about changes to English language testing or any other aspect of migration, contact the team of experienced registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia.
