English Language Test Score Requirements for Australian Visas
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL ibt, OET & other tests score comparision
English Language Test Score Requirements for Australian Visas
Applying for an Australian visa often means demonstrating a certain level of English language ability. The Department of Home Affairs uses results from approved English language tests as evidence of proficiency — a measure designed to support smoother integration into the Australian community and manage immigration requirements.
Approved tests are available in computer-based or paper-based formats, but all must be completed at a secure, in-person testing centre. Online or at-home test versions are not accepted.
It’s worth noting that the list of approved tests changed on 7 August 2025. If your test was completed before that date, your results may still count as valid evidence for up to three years, though this varies by visa type. To confirm what applies to your situation, check the relevant visa subclass page for the required scores, accepted evidence types, and any validity timeframes that apply.
(For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
| Test | Functional English | Proficient English | Superior English |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / General Training | Avg band 4.5 | 7 in each component (L/R/W/S) | 8 in each component (L/R/W/S) |
| PTE Academic | Overall 24 | 58/59/69/76 per component | 69/70/85/88 per component |
| TOEFL iBT | Total 26 | 22/22/26/24 per component | 26/27/30/28 per component |
| OET | Overall 1020 | 350/360/380/360 per component | 390/400/420/400 per component |
| CELPIP General | Overall 5 | 9/8/10/8 per component | 10/10/12/10 per component |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | — | 175/179/193/194 per component | 186/190/210/208 per component |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall 38 | 67/71/78/82 per component | 80/83/89/89 per component |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Overall 38 | 61/63/74/59 per component | Not listed |
L = Listening, R = Reading, W = Writing, S = Speaking. All tests must be taken at a secure testing centre — online/at-home versions are not accepted.
IELTS Requirements for Australia — What You Need to Know
Meeting the IELTS requirements for Australia depends on the visa you are applying for and the level of English proficiency it demands. For most skilled migration and permanent residence pathways, applicants must achieve a minimum band score of 7 in each of the four components — listening, reading, writing, and speaking — to satisfy the Proficient English standard. Those targeting highly competitive points-tested visas or employer-sponsored streams where Superior English is required must reach band 8 across all four components. The Australian Department of Home Affairs updated its approved test list in August 2025, and results must generally be from within the past three years at the time of application.
Choosing between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for an Australian visa depends on the specific visa subclass, but both versions are accepted under the current rules. One Skill Retake (OSR) is also permitted for eligible visas, giving applicants a second chance to improve a single component without resitting the full test. It is important to note that IELTS Online (the at-home version) is not accepted — only results from a secure testing centre are valid for Australian immigration purposes. Always check the individual visa page on the Department of Home Affairs website to confirm the exact evidence requirements for your subclass.