The 2025 English Exam Reforms and What They Mean to Visa Applicants

On 7 August 2025, the Australian Government changed the English language requirements for several visa subclasses. The reforms affect how test scores are assessed, add new test providers, and introduce different score thresholds for each skill.

The reforms apply differently depending on the visa subclass and the date the English test was taken, creating two sets of score requirements and eligible test providers.

This article outlines the updated English test requirements, what remains the same, and how transitional rules will apply to tests taken before and after the reforms.

Generic English Skills Requirement

Australia's visa system defines levels of English language skills: vocational, competent, proficient, and superior English. They apply to skilled and employer‑sponsored visas that specify these levels (for example, subclasses 186, 189, 190 and 491). They do not apply to subclasses 482, 485 or 500, which have their own English requirements.

Tests taken before 7 August 2025 are assessed under the old score rules. Tests taken on or after this date must meet the new score rules.

In both cases, English exams continue to be valid for up to 36 months prior to the date of invitation or the date of visa lodgment depending on which visa the test is being used for.

Pearson PTE Academic – new minimum scores by skill

Pearson PTE Academic now has separate minimum scores for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Previously, all parts had the same minimum score.

Vocational English

• Listening: 33

• Reading: 36

• Writing: 29

• Speaking: 24

  
  

Previously required 36 in each skill.

Competent English

• Listening: 47

• Reading: 48

• Writing: 51

• Speaking: 54

Previously required 50 in each skill.

Proficient English

• Listening: 58

• Reading: 59

• Writing: 69

• Speaking: 76

Previously required 65 in each skill.

Superior English

• Listening: 69

• Reading: 70

• Writing: 85

• Speaking: 88

Previously required 79 in each skill.

IELTS

IELTS score requirements have not changed.

• Vocational: at least 5.0 in each band

• Competent: 6.0 in each band

• Proficient: 7.0 in each band

• Superior: 8.0 in each band
  

Other tests

New Accepted Tests

• CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General) – newly recognised for visa purposes.

• LANGUAGECERT Academic – now accepted in secure test centre format.

• Michigan English Test (MET) – introduced, with Single Section Retake (SSR) available.

Existing Tests with Updated Scores

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 

• TOEFL iBT 

• Occupational English Test (OET) 

Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa English Requirement

The Department is also planning to change the Subclass 482 English requirements from 13 September 2025, if the required legislation passes.

From this date, the scores will match the vocational English level shown above. This will slightly change the current Subclass 482 settings.

How the new scores compare to current scores

• IELTS – changes from one overall score to a required score in every band. Current requirement is overall 5.0 with no band less than 4.5. New vocational English requirement will be 5.0 in each band.

• Pearson PTE Academic – Current requirement is 36 in each skill. New requirement will be 33 in listening, 36 in reading, 29 in writing, and 24 in speaking.
  

Other changes

• Three new English tests will be accepted from 13 September 2025.

• Cambridge C1 Advanced will no longer be accepted for tests taken on or after this date.

• If the test offers a single skill retake and the Department accepts it, this may be used for the application.

  
  

Tests taken before 13 September 2025

• Current score rules will continue to apply.

• These tests remain valid for three years from the date of testing.
  

For applicants in the labour agreement stream, the English level will depend on what is stated in the agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.

Functional English Requirement

Some visas only require a basic level of English, known as functional English. It is most commonly required for secondary applicants who are over 18 years old, for example partners of main applicants for subclass 186, 189, 190 and 491 visas. It is also required for first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas.

The new Functional English requirements apply to visas lodged from 7 August 2025 onwards, as follows.

• Pearson PTE Academic – New minimum scores are 24 in each skill, reduced from 30.

• IELTS – Overall band score requirement remains 4.5 in each part.

• Exam exemption options remain available and unchanged.

  
  

Other tests

• CELPIP General 

• LANGUAGECERT Academic

• Michigan English Test (MET) 

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)

• TOEFL iBT

• OET

Functional English test results are valid if taken within 12 months before the visa application is lodged. If the test was taken before 7 August 2025, the old Functional English score thresholds apply.

Subclass 500 – Student Visa English Requirement

The English score required of Student visa applicants depends on when the test was taken and the type of course the applicant will study. If the test was taken before 7 August 2025, the old scores apply.If the test was taken on or after 7 August 2025, the new scores apply.

Pearson PTE Academic – minimum overall band score:

• Courses with no English or foundation programs: Old – 50 | New – 47

• Main course with 10+ weeks of ELICOS or foundation/pathway program: Old – 42 | New – 39

• Main course with 20+ weeks of ELICOS: Old – 36 | New – 31
  

IELTS (General and Academic)

• Main course only: Old – overall band 6.0 | New – average score 6.0 (no change in overall requirement)

• Main course with 10+ weeks of ELICOS or foundation/pathway program: Old – overall band 5.5 | New – average score 5.5

• Main course with 20+ weeks of ELICOS: Old – overall band 5.0 | New – average score 5.0
  

Other tests:

• TOEFL iBT total band score required – main course only: Old 64 | New 67; with 10+ weeks ELICOS: Old 46 | New 51; with 20+ weeks ELICOS: Old 35 | New 37

• OET – main course only: Old B in each component | New overall band score 1210; with 10+ weeks ELICOS: Old B in each component | New 1090; with 20+ weeks ELICOS: Old B in each component | New 1020

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) overall band score – main course: Old 169 | New 161

• CELPIP General – introduced 7 August 2025; minimum scores: main course 7, 10+ weeks ELICOS 6, 20+ weeks ELICOS 5

• LANGUAGECERT Academic – introduced 7 August 2025; minimum scores: main course 61, 10+ weeks ELICOS 54, 20+ weeks ELICOS 46

• MET – introduced 7 August 2025; minimum scores: main course 53, 10+ weeks ELICOS 49, 20+ weeks ELICOS 44
  

The validity of English tests for Student visa applications is 24 months. If given at lodgement, the test must be under 24 months old on that date. If given after lodgement, it must be under 24 months old on the decision date.

Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate Visa English Requirement

For the Temporary Graduate visa, applicants must meet the required English score at the time of application. Tests taken before 7 August 2025 use the old scores. Tests taken on or after this date use the new scores. The test must be no more than 12 months old.

Pearson PTE Academic – minimum scores:

• Overall: 57 (old) | 55 (new)

• Listening: 43 (old) | 40 (new)

• Reading: 48 (old) | 42 (new)

• Writing: 51 (old) | 41 (new)

• Speaking: 42 (old) | 39 (new)

IELTS General Training/Academic – no change. Minimum overall score remains 6.5, with each band at 5.5.

Other tests available to for sc500 visas:

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)

• CELPIP General

• LANGUAGECERT Academic

• MET

• OET

• TOEFL iBT

Main Takeaways

The August 2025 English skills reforms affect both the range of accepted tests and the way scores are assessed, but not all visa subclasses are impacted in the same way.

Key changes include:

• More test options, with CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic, and the Michigan English Test now accepted.

• Pearson PTE Academic no longer has a uniform minimum score for all skills—each skill now has its own threshold.

• From 13 September 2025 (if legislation passes), the Subclass 482 visa will adopt vocational English scores, slightly raising IELTS minimums and lowering PTE requirements.

• New score settings now apply to Functional English, generic English levels, and certain visa-specific requirements.

• Arrangements are in place to accommodate English exams taken before the 7 August 2025 changes.

The reforms make timing and choice of test provider more important. Individuals who may struggle to pass their English exams will be most affected. The changes can make it easier or more difficult to obtain the required score, depending on the individual circumstances. Applicants should:

• Select the test that best matches their needs and availability.

• Know the expiry date of their results.

• Understand which rules apply based on the test date and visa lodgement date.
  

While the changes increase flexibility through more test options, they also require closer planning to ensure test results are both valid and meet the correct score requirements at the time of application.

Given the scope of these changes and the different rules applying to each visa subclass, individual circumstances can vary greatly. Tailored advice from a registered migration professional can help ensure that the English language requirements are met during this period of transition. Stay tuned for more updates on Australia's visa system. Subscribe to the next ImmiUpdate below.

For more information please Contact Us or email elan@ryshermigration.com.au

Elan Rysher is a Registered Migration Agent and Qualified Student Counsellor. He is the main Writer for ImmiUpdates and the founder of Rysher Migration. Being a former migrant himself, Elan is passionate about helping others fulfil their Australian dream.

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