Subclass 485 Graduate Visa applicants now have more choices for English language tests!
For applications made on or after 7 August 2025, 485 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)
As per 485 requirements, the test must have been completed within 12 months of applying for the visa. All scores must be achieved in a single sitting (except for OET).
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 485 on the PTE and TOEFL iBT tests have been are lowered.
The C1 Advanced test has been removed from the list of acceptable tests 485 visa requirements.
What English test scores do I need for a 485 visa?
The minimum overall and individual band scores are now as follows:
| Test Name |
Overall |
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
| IELTS |
6.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
| PTE Academic |
55 |
40 |
42 |
41 |
39 |
| C1 Advanced |
NOT ACCEPTED
|
| TOEFL iBT |
81 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
17 |
| OET |
1310 |
260 |
280 |
260 |
310 |
| CELPIP General |
8 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic |
67 |
49 |
54 |
56 |
62 |
I hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport. What English scores do I need?
The minimum overall and individual band scores are now as follows:
| Test Name |
Overall |
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
| IELTS |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| PTE Academic |
47 |
33 |
36 |
29 |
24 |
| C1 Advanced |
NOT ACCEPTED
|
| TOEFL iBT |
67 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
14 |
| OET |
1210 |
220 |
240 |
200 |
270 |
| CELPIP General |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic |
61 |
41 |
44 |
45 |
54 |
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:
- Overall IELTS band score score of at least 6.5, with no less than 5.5 in each component in each of the four test components
- OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components
- Total overall score on TOEFL iBT test of at least 83, with at least the following scores in the four test components: 7 for listening, 8 for reading, 18 for writing and 16 for speaking
- Overall PTE Academic test band score of at least 57, 50 in each of the four test components; with at least the following scores in the four test components: 43 for listening, 48 for reading, 51 for writing and 42 for speaking
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) overall band score of at least 176, with a score of at least 162 in each of the four test components.
*Note that Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders have slightly different requirements.
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