The list of English tests that Australia accepts for visas changed on 7 August 2025. The Department of Home Affairs now accepts results from nine tests for tests taken on or after that date: Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, LANGUAGECERT Academic, Michigan English Test, Occupational English Test, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT.
Key facts
- From Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
- Accepted tests Nine, including IELTS, PTE Academic, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and MET
- PTE competent English At least 47 L, 48 R, 51 W, 54 S (was 50 in each)
- IELTS competent English At least 6 in each component
- Older results Judged against the old tables
PTE Academic scores
Home Affairs notes that PTE Academic keeps its name but that the test and its scores now differ from the version accepted before 7 August 2025. For competent English, a PTE Academic test taken on or after that date needs at least 47 in listening, 48 in reading, 51 in writing and 54 in speaking. For tests taken before it, the old requirement of at least 50 in each component applies.
IELTS and older results
For competent English, IELTS still needs at least 6 in each of the four components, and the department accepts results that include One Skill Retake for eligible visas. Results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 remain usable for the period set in the legislative instrument and are assessed against the earlier score tables. Australia’s study site says the required level of English has not changed; the score adjustments are meant to line all tests up to the same level.
What this means
Check which score table applies to the date you sit the test, not the date you apply. Your visa subclass decides the level you need (functional, vocational, competent, proficient or superior), so look up that level on the Home Affairs English pages. Check whether the version you plan to book, in a centre or online, is accepted for your visa before paying. If you already hold a pre-August result, check it against the earlier table and the validity period for your visa.