New English language tests and scores for Subclass 500 Student Visa applicants from 7 August 2025.
For applications made on or after 7 August 2025, Student visa applicants will be able to provide results from the following test providers:
-
- Cambridge Advanced test (C1 Advanced);
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) NEW!
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic)
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic) NEW!
- Michigan English Test (MET) NEW!
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
What are the other changes?
Immigration has adjusted the score levels required on PTE Academic, OET, and TEOFL iBT tests to bring these all into alignment.
Scores required for a Student visa on the PTE and TOEFL iBT tests have been are lowered.
The Cambridge English: Academic (CAE) test has been replaced by the C1 Advanced test.
What English test scores do I need for a 500 visa?
The minimum overall and individual band scores are now as follows:
|
Test Name |
Minimum test score | Minimum test score with at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS, or a foundation program; or an eligible pathway program. |
Minimum test score with at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS. |
| IELTS | Average band score of 6.0. | Average band score of 5.5. | Average band score of 5.0. |
| PTE Academic | Overall band score of 47. | Overall band score of 39. | Overall band score of 31. |
| C1 Advanced | Overall band score of 161. | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | Total band score of 67. | Total band score of 51. | Total band score of 37. |
| OET | Overall band score of 1210. | Overall band score of 1090. | Overall band score of 1020. |
| CELPIP General | Overall band score of 7. | Overall band score of 6. | Overall band score of 5. |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall band score of 61. | Overall band score of 54. | Overall band score of 46. |
| MET | Overall band score of 53. | Overall band score of 49. | Overall band score of 44. |
I sat an English test before 7 August 2025 and met the old score requirements. Can I still use these results?
Yes. Immigration will continue to accept English tests undertaken before 7 August 2025 that met the old score requirements for Competent English:
| Test Name | Minimum test score | Minimum test score with at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS, or a foundation program; or an eligible pathway program. |
Minimum test score with at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS. |
| IELTS | Overall band score of 6.0. | Overall band score of 5.5. | Overall band score of 5.0. |
| PTE Academic | 50 | 42 | 36 |
| CAE | 169 | 162 | 154 |
| TOEFL iBT | 64 | 46 | 35 |
| OET | Score of at least B in each test component | Score of at least B in each test component. | Score of at least B in each test component. |
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