The Australian Government has officially updated its list of accepted English language tests and required scores for immigration purposes, effective 7 August 2025. These changes may affect anyone applying for skilled, family, student, or employer-sponsored visas.
Australia’s English Language Tests – ACCEPTED
Applicants now have more choices when it comes to proving English proficiency. The following tests have been added to the approved list:
- CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic
- MET (Michigan English Test) – Excludes Superior English
Australia’s English Language Test – REMOVED
C1 Advanced is no longer accepted for Vocational English level requirements.
Updated Score Requirements for Australia’s English Language Tests
The Government has also revised the score benchmarks across all accepted tests for the following English levels:
- Vocational
- Competent
- Proficient
- Superior
Here is the complete comparison of new scores across all tests:
| English Test and Score | C1 Adv. | CELPIP General | IELTS | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE | TOEFL iBT | |
| Vocational | Listening | N/A | 5 | 5 | 41 | 49 | 220 | 33 | 8 |
| Reading | 5 | 5 | 44 | 47 | 240 | 36 | 8 | ||
| Writing | 5 | 5 | 45 | 45 | 200 | 29 | 9 | ||
| Speaking | 5 | 5 | 54 | 38 | 270 | 24 | 14 | ||
| Competent | Listening | 163 | 7 | 6 | 57 | 56 | 290 | 47 | 16 |
| Reading | 163 | 7 | 6 | 60 | 55 | 310 | 48 | 16 | |
| Writing | 170 | 7 | 6 | 64 | 57 | 290 | 51 | 19 | |
| Speaking | 179 | 7 | 6 | 70 | 48 | 330 | 54 | 19 | |
| Proficient | Listening | 175 | 9 | 7 | 67 | 61 | 350 | 58 | 22 |
| Reading | 179 | 8 | 7 | 71 | 63 | 360 | 59 | 22 | |
| Writing | 193 | 10 | 7 | 78 | 74 | 380 | 69 | 26 | |
| Speaking | 194 | 8 | 7 | 82 | 59 | 360 | 76 | 24 | |
| Superior | Listening | 186 | 10 | 8 | 80 | N/A | 390 | 69 | 26 |
| Reading | 190 | 10 | 8 | 83 | 400 | 70 | 27 | ||
| Writing | 210 | 12 | 8 | 89 | 420 | 85 | 30 | ||
| Speaking | 208 | 10 | 8 | 89 | 400 | 88 | 28 | ||
What This Means for You
Planning to take a test after 7 August 2025?
You must meet the new score criteria for your visa type.
Already taken a test in the past 3 years?
If your test was accepted under previous rules and still falls within the 3-year validity window, your result may still be eligible.
Test Validity Period
In most cases, test results remain valid for up to 3 years from the date of testing. However, this may vary depending on your visa subclass.
Need Help Understanding Your Options?
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