Major Changes To English Language Tests & Requirements From 7 August 2025

As of August 7, 2025, the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs issued a comprehensive overhaul of English language testing requirements applicable to most visa applicants. A new range of testing options, scoring thresholds, and clearer transitional arrangements have been introduced in order to provide more flexibility and standardisation of exams across the different visa types.

Expansion To Nine Approved English Tests

The government now accepts nine examinations in all, increasing the pool of options available to applicants worldwide. These consist of:

1. IELTS Academic
2. IELTS General Training
3. PTE Academic
4. TOEFL iBT
5. OET (Occupational English Test)
6. Cambridge English: Advanced (C1 Advanced)

New Additions:

• CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
• LANGUAGECERT Academic
• Michigan English Test (MET)

This expansion not only reflects evolving language assessment landscapes but also enhances flexibility and accessibility for applicants from diverse regions.

Updated and Harmonised Score Requirements

According to the sub-classification of visa categories, the new reforms established new minimum scores for each component of individual competence. The scores obtained in PTE Academic before 7 August 2025 that were required under the Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN-25/016) include:

• Vocational: 36
• Competent: 50
• Proficient: 65
• Superior: 79

Transitional Provisions For Pre-August 2025 Results

The government created transition regulations to ensure fairness for candidates who had already taken tests under the prior standards. The test results given on or before 6 August 2025 are acceptable, as long as the result was received within three years before the application of the visa and attained the prevailing score thresholds in the course of time.

For example, an English test taken between 5 August 2022 and 6 August 2025, with attainment of the previous score requirements, may still be used for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive, even under the new regime.

Lowered Functional English Requirements For Subclass 485

For some individuals, it is worth noting that the government has also implemented the reduction of English score requirements on some visa subclasses, including the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa. The exams completed after 7 August 2025 have reduced thresholds in PTE Academic, and thus, the test is easier than the previous ones.

PTE Academic (Subclass 485) comparison:

• Old minimum overall score: 57 → New minimum: 55
• There are component drops which include:
  • Listening: 43 → 40
  • Reading: 48 → 42
  • Writing: 51 → 41
  • Speaking: 42 → 39

Such developments represent an adjustment balance of standards and accommodations with applicants.

Broader Context and Rationale

Those reforms are based on the Migration Regulations 1994 and are summarised in two primary instruments:

• Instrument 2025, LIN 25/014 Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency), which sets out how the proficiency in functional English can be shown (education, test, or passport).
• The Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025 LIN 25/090 outlines the requirements to undertake tests, scoring requirements, and exemptions to the English language proficiency requirement of student visa applicants.

These tools collectively modernise the policy framework and ensure equity, clarity, and adherence to improved international language testing requirements. The English language test score requirement of applicants of the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa is also going to change significantly with effect from 7 August 2025.

These adjustments are beneficial, especially if the applicants have not taken the English test yet. The new rules differ according to the time of taking the test, and, therefore, it is imperative to understand how the rules are applicable to the applicant.

What Has Changed?

The Australian Government has introduced lower English test score requirements for applicants who take their test on or after 7 August 2025.

However, if the test was taken before this date, the applicants must still meet the older, higher score requirements.

Summary Of Key Points

1. By 7 August 2025, there will be nine recognised English tests in Australia, with three of these new tests being newly approved (CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET).
2. The government has revised the scores required at the component level across four skills for visa applicants.
3. There are also previous testing criteria that are still reasonable until they are no longer applicable (within three years). 
4. In some visa applications (e.g., in Subclass 485), the minimum scores of those who take the test under the new system have been reduced modestly.
5. The reforms are legislated in the form of legislative instruments (LIN 25/014 and LIN 25/090), making them even stronger in legal terms: clarity and accessibility are enforced.

What Applicants Should Do Next

• Applicants need to ensure that the English test that is selected is one of the recently accepted ones.
• Need to see the updated criteria for component-level scores, and see how to match them.
• Verify if the current test results fall within the transitional provisions.
• Strategise: If the old scores do not count anymore, it may pay off to take another test that is graded in new (and often lower) terms.
• For Student visa applicants (Subclass 500), see LIN 25/090 to know certain scores or pathways of exemption.

These modifications show that Australia is adopting a fair, flexible, and standardised model in assessing English language proficiency, and the applicants are not only able to cope but flourish within the new regime. For more updates and the latest news, visit ISA Migrations.