From 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs introduced changes to the approved English language test providers and minimum required scores for certain Australian visa applications.
The rules now depend on when your English language test was taken – either before 7 August 2025 or on or after 7 August 2025. This distinction is important because the approved tests, score requirements, and validity periods are different for each.
There are now two sets of rules:
English test conducted before 7 August 2025
Even if your visa application is lodged on or after 7 August 2025, if you took your test before this date, the previous rules (old instruments) apply.
English test conducted on or after 7 August 2025
The new rules (new legislative instruments) apply, including updated test providers and score requirements.
The Department accepts results from these tests (must be at a secure test centre):
Cambridge C1 Advanced (C1 Advanced)
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
IELTS Academic, including One Skill Retake (OSR)
IELTS General Training, including One Skill Retake (OSR)
LANGUAGECERT Academic Test
Michigan English Test (MET), including Single Section Retake (SSR)
Occupational English Test (OET)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
TOEFL iBT
The Department accepts results from these tests (secure test centre only):
Cambridge English (CAE) – also known as C1 Advanced
IELTS (including One Skill Retake)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
Occupational English Test (OET) – designed for health professionals
TOEFL iBT
You may use a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 as evidence of English proficiency until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa subclass.
| Visa Subclass | Test Date | Accepted Providers | Validity Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | Before 7 Aug 2025 | CAE (C1 Advanced), IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT | 24 months from test date (lodgement or decision) | Old scores apply |
| On/after 7 Aug 2025 | C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic or General Training (OSR allowed), LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET (SSR allowed), OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT | 24 months from test date (lodgement or decision) | New scores apply | |
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | Before 7 Aug 2025 | CAE (C1 Advanced), IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT | 12 months from test date (lodgement) | Must be single sitting (except OET) |
| On/after 7 Aug 2025 | C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic or General Training (OSR allowed), LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET (SSR allowed), OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT | 12 months from test date (lodgement) | Must be single sitting (except OET) | |
| 485 for Hong Kong & BNO Passport Holders | Before 7 Aug 2025 | Same as above | 12 months from test date (lodgement) | Old scores apply |
| On/after 7 Aug 2025 | Same as above (new list) | 12 months from test date (lodgement) | New scores apply | |
| Vocational, Competent, Proficient, Superior English (general requirement) | Before 7 Aug 2025 | CAE (C1 Advanced), IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT | 36 months from test date (lodgement) | Old scores apply |
| On/after 7 Aug 2025 | C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic or General Training (OSR allowed), LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET (SSR allowed), OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT | 36 months from test date (lodgement) | New scores apply | |
| Functional English | Before 7 Aug 2025 | CAE (C1 Advanced), IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT | Within 12 months before application or on/after application date | Old scores apply |
| On/after 7 Aug 2025 | C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic or General Training (OSR allowed), LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET (SSR allowed), OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT | Within 12 months before application or on/after application date | New scores apply |
If the test was taken before 7 August 2025, old score and provider requirements apply.
If the test was taken on or after 7 August 2025, new score and provider requirements apply.
Validity:
If English evidence is provided at application lodgement – the test must be no more than 24 months old.
If provided after lodgement – the test must be no more than 24 months old on the date of decision.
If the test was taken before 7 August 2025, old rules apply.
If the test was taken on or after 7 August 2025, new rules apply.
Validity:
English evidence must be provided at the time of application.
The test must be no more than 12 months old on lodgement day.
The required score must be achieved in a single sitting (except OET).
The same date-based rule applies – old requirements for tests before 7 August 2025 and new requirements for tests on or after that date.
Some visas refer to English proficiency levels rather than a specific English language instrument.
From 7 August 2025, the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016) updated the test scores for Vocational, Competent, Proficient, and Superior English.
This applies to visa subclasses that reference English proficiency but do not have a separate instrument (for example, Subclass 186).
It does not apply where the subclass has its own English instrument (for example, Subclass 482).
Validity: The test must be taken no more than 36 months before application lodgement.
From 7 August 2025, the Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/014) updated the scores for Functional English.
This applies where the subclass or nomination requires Functional English and does not have a separate English language instrument.
Validity: The test must be taken:
Within 12 months before the application date, or
On or after the application date.
The Department does not accept completely online or at-home English tests for visa purposes. Examples not accepted include:
CELPIP Online
IELTS Online
LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
MET Digital (at home)
OET@Home
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Tests must be taken in person at a secure testing centre.
Before lodging your visa application:
Confirm when you took your English test – before or after 7 August 2025
Check your visa subclass – determine if it uses a specific English instrument or a general proficiency requirement
Match your test provider and scores – ensure they meet the correct requirements for your test date and visa type
Check test validity – your results must be within the allowed timeframe at lodgement or decision
If you are applying for an Australian visa that requires evidence of English, the date you took the test will determine which rules apply. The Department now accepts some new providers for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, but you can still use older tests for up to three years depending on your visa type.
For personalised guidance and to ensure your application meets the English language requirements, seek professional migration advice before lodging. Book a consultation now with one of our expert migration agents in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne.
