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New English Language Requirements for Australian Study Visa (Subclass 500)
The Australian government has recently increased the minimum English proficiency scores for international students who wish to study in Australia. The updated English language requirements of student visa for Australia (Subclass 500) to an IELTS score of 6.0 will ensure that they are confident enough to complete their studies and communicate in English without any hassles.
This Story also Contains
- New Minimum English Test Scores for Subclass 500 Student Visa
- Accepted English Tests for Australia Study Visa
- Tips to prepare for the new English language requirements for Australian study visa
- Important Considerations for English language tests required for Australian study visa
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If students want to apply for a work visa in Australia (Subclass 485), they must score a minimum score of 6.5. Even the requirements (from 4.5 to 5.0 IELTS score) for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and the list of accepted English language tests have been updated. Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs also accepts the IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) now. These new changes are applicable to visa applications made on or after 23 March 2024. Under the migration strategy of Australia, students have to meet the updated minimum IELTS score for an Australian study visa.
Read More: Australian Student Visa New Rules
New Minimum English Test Scores for Subclass 500 Student Visa
Here is a table that gives a comparison of the previous and new minimum score requirements for various English language tests in Australia.
Test | Previous Minimum Score | New Minimum Score (2025–26) | Notes / Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic or General) | 5.5 overall | 6.0 overall | Must be taken within 2 years before visa lodgement |
42 overall | 50 overall | Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 | |
TOEFL iBT | £46 | 64 | Minimum of 12 in Listening, 13 in Reading, 18 in Speaking, and 21 in Writing |
Cambridge English (C1 Advanced) | 162 | 169 | Overall score must meet CEFR Level B2 |
OET (Occupational English Test) | B in each component | B in each component | Mostly for healthcare programs |
CELPIP General | Not accepted earlier | Accepted (from Aug 2025) | Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 |
LanguageCert Academic | Not accepted earlier | Accepted (from Aug 2025) | Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 |
Michigan English Test (MET) | Not accepted earlier | Accepted (from Aug 2025) | Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 |
Accepted English Tests for Australia Study Visa
The Department of Home Affairs expanded the list of approved English tests for Subclass 500 effective from 7 August 2025.
These are the accepted English tests:
CELPIP General (Newly added)
LANGUAGECERT Academic (newly added)
Michigan English Test (MET) (Newly added)
IELTS Academic & General Training
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
OET
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Also Read:
Tips to prepare for the new English language requirements for Australian study visa
These are some effective ways to meet the new English language requirements for Subclass 500.
Appear for a diagnostic test to understand the sections where you lack.
Enrol in prep courses if you believe your English is below the standard level
Be clear about your score requirement, budget, and nearby centres while deciding which English language test to take
Practice IELTS sample papers and mock tests to know the different question types
You Might Also Like: IELTS Sample Questions and Free IELTS Mock Test
Important Considerations for English language tests required for Australian study visa
The English test you take should not be more than two years old.
The financial proofs and english proficiency tests you provide will depend on the specific requirements of the country you live in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the IELTS score required for Australia 2025?
A:
Students must secure a minimum of 6.0 IELTS score overall and in each of the four sections as well. If they are able to meet these English language requirements, it demonstrates that they are competent to complete their studies and can communicate effectively in English.
Q: What is the processing time for subclass 500?
A:
The processing time for a Subclass 500 visa (Australian student visa) might differ based on the stream chosen, including higher education, vocational training, or postgraduate research. While half of the visa applications get processed within a month, 90% of applications also take up several months to get processed.
Q: What is the new English test for Australian immigration 2025?
A:
The newly added English tests for Australian study visas include: Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General), in addition to the already accepted tests like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.
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