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English Tests
Which tests the Department accepts, and the scores for each English level.
What changed on 7 August 2025. The Department of Home Affairs approved new tests for results taken on or after 7 August 2025: CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and the Michigan English Test (MET). Scores for the older tests also changed. Tests sat on or before 6 August 2025 are assessed against separate tables and can be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
Accepted tests
| Test | Good for | Format | Not accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and General Training) | Study, skilled and work visas. | In person at a test centre. One Skill Retake is accepted for eligible visas. | IELTS Online |
| PTE Academic | Study and skilled visas. Popular for quick results. | In person, computer-based, at a secure centre | Online or at-home versions |
| TOEFL iBT | Study and many other visa types. | In person. Select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register. | TOEFL iBT Home Edition |
| OET | Health professionals, including nurses. | In person at a test centre | OET@Home |
| CELPIP General | Everyday English. New from 7 August 2025. | In person at a test centre | CELPIP Online |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Academic English, computer-based. New from 7 August 2025. | In person at a test centre | LANGUAGECERT Academic Online |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Study and many skilled levels. New from 7 August 2025. Not accepted for Superior English. | In person at a test centre. Single Section Retake is accepted for eligible visas. | MET Digital (at home) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Competent, Proficient and Superior levels. | In person at a test centre | - |
Scores for each English level
Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Functional English
| Test | Overall score needed |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General Training) | 4.5 average |
| PTE Academic | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 total |
| OET | 1020 |
| CELPIP General | 5 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 38 |
| MET | 38 |
Vocational English
| Test | Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 |
| PTE Academic | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 / 8 / 9 / 14 |
| OET | 220 / 240 / 200 / 270 |
| CELPIP General | 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 41 / 44 / 45 / 54 |
| MET | 49 / 47 / 45 / 38 |
Competent English
| Test | Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 |
| PTE Academic | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 |
| 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 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 / 163 / 170 / 179 |
Proficient English
| Test | Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 |
| PTE Academic | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 / 22 / 26 / 24 |
| OET | 350 / 360 / 380 / 360 |
| CELPIP General | 9 / 8 / 10 / 8 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 / 71 / 78 / 82 |
| MET | 61 / 63 / 74 / 59 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 / 179 / 193 / 194 |
Superior English
| Test | Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 |
| PTE Academic | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 / 27 / 30 / 28 |
| OET | 390 / 400 / 420 / 400 |
| CELPIP General | 10 / 10 / 12 / 10 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 80 / 83 / 89 / 89 |
| MET | Not accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 186 / 190 / 210 / 208 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, English language requirements (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025). Checked November 2026. Scores for tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 are on the Home Affairs website.
Good to know
- Tests must be sat in person at a secure test centre. Fully online and at-home tests are not accepted.
- Each component must meet the score shown. Functional English uses an overall score only.
- For TOEFL iBT you must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register.
- Results are generally valid for a limited time before you apply, depending on the visa. The English level you need depends on the visa and course. We confirm it for you at your consultation.