The Australian Government has announced new English language requirements for visa applicants, which will come into effect from 7 August 2025. These changes will impact individuals across a range of visa subclasses who must demonstrate English language proficiency as part of their application.
What makes this update particularly noteworthy is that these changes were introduced with little to no prior warning, leaving many prospective applicants with very limited time to prepare or adjust their plans accordingly.
What Has Changed?
From 7 August 2025, revised minimum score thresholds will apply to English language tests accepted for Australian visa applications. These include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), among other tests.
The updated benchmarks represent a shift in policy direction and aim to standardise or raise English proficiency expectations for visa applicants.
Importantly, anyone who sits their English test on or after 7 August 2025 must meet the new score requirements, regardless of visa stream.
Minimal Notice Given to Applicants
The release of these new requirements with minimal advance notice has raised concerns for many visa hopefuls and migration professionals. Those who were in the process of preparing for a test, or who had scheduled an exam after 7 August, may now find themselves subject to more stringent scoring thresholds than they anticipated.
This lack of transitional lead time significantly limits applicants’ ability to make informed decisions about when to test or lodge their visa applications.
Introduction of Additional Approved English Tests
In addition to the revised score requirements, the Department of Home Affairs has expanded the list of approved English language tests from 7 August 2025.
Alongside familiar tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT, the following new tests will now also be accepted for visa purposes:
- CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
- LanguageCert Academic
- Michigan English Test (MET)
These tests must be taken at approved secure test centres, and applicants are advised to ensure their selected test is recognised for their specific visa subclass. The inclusion of these new options provides greater flexibility, but applicants must still meet the updated score requirements applicable from 7 August 2025.
New Test Score Requirements and Official References
You can find the updated score thresholds on the Department of Home Affairs website under English language visa requirements. The specific legislative details—including new approved tests and score requirements—are also available in the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016).
The table below outlines the minimum required scores per skill band for each level of English language proficiency:
| English 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 |
Note: A dash (—) indicates that the test is not accepted for that particular skill at that level.
Who Is Affected?
You will be assessed under the new English test score requirements if:
- You are applying for a visa that requires English language proficiency, and
- You sit your English language test on or after 7 August 2025
This applies broadly across skilled migration, employer-sponsored, student, and family visa categories.
Tests Taken Before 7 August 2025: Old Rules Still Apply
There is one crucial concession: If you sat your English test before 7 August 2025, your results will be assessed under the previous scoring requirements.
This “grandfathering” approach means that applicants who tested prior to the change can continue to rely on the old benchmarks, as long as their results remain valid at the time of application or decision.
What Should You Do Now?
Given the abrupt nature of this policy update, it is important to act quickly and consider your next steps:
- If you have already taken your test and achieved the desired score under the old rules prior to 7 August: No further action is required.
- If you are about to sit your test: Be aware that test sittings on or after 7 August will be subject to the new scoring requirements.
- If you have not yet booked: You may want to explore your options urgently, especially if you were aiming to apply under the previous English criteria, as you may need to adjust your targets.
Conclusion
The updated English language requirements, introduced with almost no warning, represent a significant change for visa applicants in Australia. For many, this shift introduces unexpected complexity and may impact eligibility, timelines, and the preparation needed to meet new score thresholds.
We encourage anyone who may be affected to seek professional advice as soon as possible.
Need Assistance?
At Queensland Migration Practice, we are monitoring these changes closely and are available to help you understand your options and prepare accordingly. Please contact us to book a consultation or discuss how these changes may affect your application.
