Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has expanded its list of accepted English tests and raised some score thresholds, effective August 7, 2025. The move aims to align standards across tests and visa streams while keeping testing secure and fair. The changes add more test options, slightly higher PTE Academic scores, clearer validity rules, and confirmed limits on at‑home testing. Transitional rules protect older test results taken before the cutover.
What changed on August 7, 2025
- Newly accepted tests
- CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic, and the Michigan English Test (MET) are now accepted for visa purposes.
- These join IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, and TOEFL iBT, giving applicants more ways to demonstrate English ability.
- Revised score thresholds (PTE Academic)
- Functional: 32 (up from 30)
- Vocational: 36 (no change) — C1 Advanced is no longer accepted for Vocational English
- Competent: 51 (up from 50)
- Proficient: 66 (up from 65)
- Superior: 84 (up from 79)
- OET and TOEFL iBT remain in scope with alignment updates.
- Result validity
- Test results remain valid for up to three years.
- Results from tests taken on or before August 6, 2025 remain valid through August 6, 2028, provided the visa’s own rules allow.
- IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)
- Accepted for most visas since December 14, 2022, but not for subclasses 476, 482, and 485, which require a single sitting.
- Passport exemptions
- Holders of passports from the United Kingdom, United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland remain exempt from English testing.
- No fully online tests
- The Department does not accept remote or at‑home tests. Applicants must sit exams at secure centres.
Important: The Department cites test security and fairness as reasons for rejecting fully online formats — “Secure testing protects integrity and levels the playing field.”
Who is affected now
The updates affect applicants across several visa streams:
– Student (subclass 500)
– Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
– General Skilled Migration
– Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
– Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
People applying after August 7, 2025 must meet the new thresholds. Applicants with older test dates may rely on the transitional window if their scores and validity still meet visa rules.
Why this matters to applicants
- More choice: CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic, and MET offer additional routes where test centre access or format preferences differ.
- Small score shifts, big impact: A one‑point rise (e.g., PTE Competent from 50 to 51) can change eligibility for skilled visas that depend on exact levels.
- Transitional relief: Tests taken on or before August 6, 2025 can remain usable until August 6, 2028, subject to visa rules — keep proof of test date and full score report.
- OSR flexibility: IELTS OSR lets candidates lift a single weak sub-score without retaking the full test — not applicable for subclasses 476, 482, and 485.
How to pick the right test
- CELPIP General: Good if you prefer Canadian‑style question types.
- PTE Academic / TOEFL iBT: Suitable for a computer‑delivered academic format with broad centre coverage.
- OET: Best for healthcare professionals — focused on medical communication.
- IELTS: Offers test‑day speaking with a human examiner.
- LanguageCert Academic / MET: Alternative formats and centre networks; may be more accessible in some regions.
What to check for your visa
- Confirm the required English level: Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, or Superior.
- Confirm single‑sitting rules: subclasses 476, 482, 485 require a single sitting; OSR not allowed.
- Confirm validity and lodgement timing: your score must be valid on the day you apply or as required by the subclass.
Practical steps for applicants
- Book early — test centre seats can fill fast after policy changes.
- Prepare smart — target the exact level required and aim to exceed the minimum to create a buffer (e.g., aim above PTE 51 if Competent is required).
- Keep records — save confirmation emails, the full score report, and any OSR documentation to prove test dates and results.
- Consider a backup — if time allows, book a second test date in case you fall short or face cancellations.
- Use official guidance — review the Department’s English language page for current rules and visa subclass links.
Impacts by group
- Students (subclass 500):
- More test options can ease timing and centre availability.
- Slight PTE increases may affect admissions or Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) timelines if scores are borderline.
- Temporary Graduate (subclass 485):
- Single‑sitting rules remain strict — consider booking two dates before graduation to protect timelines.
- Skilled applicants and sponsors:
- Minor upward shifts can affect points eligibility where English level influences points claims.
- Employers should allow extra lead time for testing when scheduling nomination and visa steps.
- Healthcare workers:
- OET remains appropriate for clinical roles; secure testing supports trust in outcomes for patient‑facing positions.
Background and policy context
Prior to August 2025, Australia used a narrower list of tests with different score mappings. The 2022 introduction of IELTS OSR added some flexibility, but only where visas allow combined results. The 2025 update continues the trend toward clarity, alignment across providers, and test security.
What’s next
Officials may continue adjusting accepted tests and minimum scores to match labour market needs and education settings. Policy updates typically follow feedback on test access, score comparability, and integrity. No further changes have been announced beyond the August 2025 update — applicants should monitor official channels.
Where to find official details
For current rules, accepted tests, levels, and visa‑specific instructions, consult the Department of Home Affairs’ English language guidance on the Home Affairs website. Always match your visa subclass rules with your chosen test and test date.
Key takeaways
– From August 7, 2025, CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic, and MET are accepted. PTE Academic minimums rose slightly at several levels.
– Scores remain valid up to three years; tests taken on or before August 6, 2025 are valid through August 6, 2028, where the visa allows.
– IELTS OSR accepted for most visas, except 476, 482, and 485.
– No fully online or remote‑proctored tests are accepted.
– Plan early, choose the test that fits your strengths, and prepare to exceed the minimum — small increases can decide visa outcomes.
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