Australia Student Visa: Updated English Proficiency Requirements (Effective August 7, 2025)
Australia Student Visa: Updated English Proficiency Requirements (Effective August 7, 2025)
Australia has introduced significant changes to its student visa English language requirements, effective from August 7, 2025. These updates aim to standardize proficiency expectations and expand the list of accepted tests.
✅ Newly Accepted English Tests
Starting August 7, 2025, the following tests are officially accepted for student visa applications:
- CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic
- Michigan English Test (MET)
These are in addition to previously accepted tests like:
- IELTS (including One Skill Retake)
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- OET (for health professionals)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (paper-based only)
Note: Online or at-home versions of these tests (e.g., TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Online) are not accepted for visa purposes.
Minimum Score Requirements for Student Visa (Competent English Level)
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
| MET | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
These scores reflect the Competent English level required for most student visa subclasses.
⚠️ Important Updates
- Cambridge C1 Advanced is no longer accepted for Vocational English requirements.
- TOEFL iBT tests taken between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 are not valid for visa purposes due to test format changes.
- Onshore student visa reapplications are now restricted—you must apply offshore under the new rules.