Australian Visa English Requirements: Key Updates for 2025

The Australian Department of Home Affairs is introducing significant reforms to English language criteria for visas. To provide more options for applicants and align with visa purposes, the new requirements will be rolled out in two stages beginning August 2025. Familiarity with these updated rules is essential for any successful visa submission..

Key Changes to General Australian Visa English Requirements (Effective August 2025)

As of August 7, 2025, the number of accepted English language tests for most visas will expand from five to nine. This is a significant update to the Australian visa English requirements, providing more pathways for applicants.

The newly accepted tests are:

• CELPIP General

• LanguageCert Academic

• Michigan English Test (MET)

They join the existing list of IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Importantly, online or at-home test versions are not accepted; all tests must be taken at a secure test center.

The minimum scores needed to meet each proficiency benchmark—Vocational, Competent, Proficient, and Superior—have been updated. The following table details the new mandatory scores for all tests taken from August 7, 2025, onward.

Table: New Minimum Test Scores for Australian Visa English Requirements

Proficiency Level	Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
Vocational	IELTS (Academic/General)	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
	CELPIP General	5	5	5	5
	LanguageCert Academic	41	44	45	54
	MET	49	47	45	38
	C1 Advanced	220	240	200	270
	PTE Academic	33	36	29	24
	TOEFL iBT	8	8	9	14
	OET	B	B	B	B
Competent	IELTS (Academic/General)	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
	CELPIP General	7	7	7	7
	LanguageCert Academic	57	60	64	70
	MET	56	55	57	48
	C1 Advanced	290	310	290	330
	PTE Academic	47	48	51	54
	TOEFL iBT	16	16	19	19
	OET	B	B	B	B
Proficient	IELTS (Academic/General)	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
	CELPIP General	9	8	10	8
	LanguageCert Academic	67	71	78	82
	MET	61	63	74	59
	C1 Advanced	350	360	380	360
	PTE Academic	58	59	69	76
	TOEFL iBT	22	22	26	24
	OET	B	B	B	B
Superior	IELTS (Academic/General)	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0
	CELPIP General	10	10	12	10
	LanguageCert Academic	80	83	89	89
	MET	—	400	420	400
	C1 Advanced	390	400	420	400
	PTE Academic	69	70	85	88
	TOEFL iBT	26	27	30	28
	OET	A	A	A	A

Source: Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016). A dash (—) indicates the test is not accepted for that skill.

For the most authoritative details, always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website.

Special Australian Visa English Requirements for the Skills in Demand Visa

Subject to legislative approval, a second set of changes specifically for the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa will take effect on September 13, 2025. These adjustments further refine the Australian visa English requirements for skilled workers.

• Lower Proficiency Requirement: The English requirement for the SID visa will be set at the Vocational level (e.g., IELTS 5.0 in all bands), making it more accessible for those in high-demand occupations.

• Three New Additional Tests: Three more English tests will be added exclusively for SID visa applications. The specific tests are yet to be confirmed pending legislation.

• C1 Advanced Discontinued: Cambridge C1 Advanced tests taken on or after September 13, 2025, will no longer be accepted for SID visa applications.

Tests taken before this date will maintain their three-year validity for SID visa purposes under the old rules.

Next Steps for Applicants

These updates to the Australian visa English requirements highlight the importance of careful planning. Always book your test at an approved, in-person test center. Remember that test results are generally valid for three years.

For continuous updates on these changes and other migration news, be sure to check our dedicated resource page at visasupdate.com. For personalized advice, consider consulting a registered migration agent.