English tests for Australian visas: accepted tests and scores
Settledin Team6 min readThe English test requirements for Australian visas changed on 7 August 2025. Home Affairs accepts eight tests, taken at a test centre, each with its own minimum scores per level. Competent English, the minimum for the 189, 190 and 491, means IELTS 6 in each part, or PTE Academic 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking.
Scores checked against Home Affairs on 6 October 2026.
What changed for English tests on 7 August 2025?
The list of approved tests and their scores changed on 7 August 2025 (English language). The main changes:
- More tests. CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and the Michigan English Test (MET) joined IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
- New scores for every test. Each test has its own minimum for each skill, and the numbers differ by skill. Home Affairs notes that PTE Academic keeps its name, but the test and its scores are different.
- OET moved to numbers. OET scores changed from letters to a numerical scale on 7 August 2025.
- TOEFL iBT registration. Home Affairs says results not registered under "Taking TOEFL for Australia" may not be accepted.
- Older results. A test taken on or before 6 August 2025 can be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
Online, at home tests are not accepted. Home Affairs lists CELPIP Online, IELTS Online, LANGUAGECERT Academic Online, MET Digital taken at home, OET@Home and TOEFL iBT Home Edition as examples.
Which English tests are accepted for Australian visas?
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Home Affairs accepts these tests when they are taken at a secure test centre (English language):
| Test | Notes from Home Affairs |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training | Includes One Skill Retake for some visas |
| PTE Academic | Same name as the earlier test, but a different test and scores |
| TOEFL iBT | Register under "Taking TOEFL for Australia" |
| OET | Developed for health professionals. Overall scores come from OET on request. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Not accepted for some levels and visas, as the tables below show |
| CELPIP General | |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Includes Single Section Retake for some visas |
Which English test scores are accepted for Australian visas?
Each level needs at least the score shown in every one of the 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. These are the scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
The two most common tests side by side:
| Level | IELTS (each skill) | PTE Academic (listening, reading, writing, speaking) |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational | 5 | 33, 36, 29, 24 |
| Competent | 6 | 47, 48, 51, 54 |
| Proficient | 7 | 58, 59, 69, 76 |
| Superior | 8 | 69, 70, 85, 88 |
Competent English
From Home Affairs' Competent English page:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
| MET | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
Citizens holding a valid passport from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States also meet Competent English, without a test.
Proficient English
From Home Affairs' Proficient English page:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| OET | 350 | 360 | 380 | 360 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
| MET | 61 | 63 | 74 | 59 |
Superior English
From Home Affairs' Superior English page. MET is not listed for Superior English.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
| OET | 390 | 400 | 420 | 400 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 186 | 190 | 210 | 208 |
| CELPIP General | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 80 | 83 | 89 | 89 |
Vocational and Functional English
Vocational English is IELTS 5 in each skill, or PTE Academic 33 listening, 36 reading, 29 writing and 24 speaking. Cambridge C1 Advanced is not listed for it.
Functional English uses one overall score instead of four: for example, an IELTS average of 4.5, PTE Academic 24 overall or TOEFL iBT 26 in total. It can also be shown with one of the five passports above, or with study taught in English, such as at least 5 years of secondary school.
Which English level does each visa need?
Each visa sets its own level, and some set their own scores.
| Visa | English requirement, per Home Affairs |
|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) | At least Competent English at the time of invitation (189 visa page). Proficient and Superior English add points. |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | At least Competent English in the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | Minimum scores on the 482 English page, unless an exemption applies. For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025: IELTS 5 in each skill, or PTE Academic 33, 36, 29 and 24. |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream | Its own scores, from a test in the 12 months before applying (485 stream page), or one of the five passports. For tests from 7 August 2025: IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each skill, or PTE Academic 55 overall with 40, 42, 41 and 39. Cambridge C1 Advanced is not accepted. |
| Family members aged 18 or over on a 189 or 186 application | Functional English, or the second instalment of the visa application charge is payable instead (189 visa page, 186 Direct Entry) |
How each visa works is on the linked Settledin visa pages. For the 482, see also the Skills in Demand visa, explained.
How long are English test results valid?
It depends on the level and the visa:
| Level or visa | Test must be taken within |
|---|---|
| Vocational, Competent, Proficient or Superior English | 3 years before the visa application, depending on the visa (Competent English) |
| Functional English | 12 months before the visa application (Functional English) |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | No more than 3 years old (Core Skills stream) |
| Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | 12 months immediately before applying |
A test taken on or before 6 August 2025 is judged against the older scores in each level page's second table, and can be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
How many points is English worth?
In the official points table for the 189, 190 and 491, Competent English is worth 0 points, Proficient English 10, and Superior English 20. How English fits with the other categories is in the Australian PR points test, explained.
What were the PTE scores before 7 August 2025?
For PTE Academic tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, the older scores still apply, with the same number in every skill:
| Level | PTE Academic, tests on or before 6 August 2025 | PTE Academic, tests from 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Competent | 50 in each skill | 47, 48, 51, 54 |
| Proficient | 65 in each skill | 58, 59, 69, 76 |
| Superior | 79 in each skill | 69, 70, 85, 88 |
Source: the second table on Home Affairs' Competent, Proficient and Superior English pages. IELTS scores did not change: 6, 7 and 8 in each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What PTE score do I need for the 189, 190 or 491?
At least Competent English: PTE Academic 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking, for tests from 7 August 2025. Proficient English (58, 59, 69, 76) adds 10 points, and Superior English (69, 70, 85, 88) adds 20.
What PTE score is needed for the 485?
For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, for tests from 7 August 2025: 55 overall, with at least 40 listening, 42 reading, 41 writing and 39 speaking, from a test in the 12 months before applying.
What IELTS score is Competent English?
6 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking. Proficient is 7 in each, and Superior is 8 in each.
Are online English tests accepted?
No. Home Affairs does not accept tests delivered fully online or at home, such as IELTS Online or TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
Is my PTE result from before August 2025 still valid?
A test taken on or before 6 August 2025 can be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa, and is judged against the older scores.
Does Home Affairs accept IELTS One Skill Retake?
Yes, for some visas. Home Affairs points to each visa's page to check.
Which passports count as Competent English?
Valid passports from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Settledin adds up an indicative points total from the official points table, including the English points for each level.
Work out your indicative points
This article describes published Department of Home Affairs information, checked on 6 October 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.