Australia is one of the most popular destinations for people who want to study or are willing to permanently settle due to its economy, Culture, Job opportunities, quality of life, quality education, pollution-free environment, and many more.

The Australian Government also runs many programs to fill their labour shortage and provide endless opportunities to people from all over the world and to make Australia their home. To migrate, applicants need to pass certain eligibility criteria, one of which is a language test examination.

Australia being an English-speaking country, wants to know aspirants’ English language ability to better settle in the environment, get relevant jobs, perform their duties, and communicate well with the community to establish themselves successfully in the Australian labour Market and in Society. The Australian Government has validated many English Language tests to accept for Immigration purposes and recently they have made significant changes in the scoring of PTE and OET exams which is quite popular when it comes to migrating to Australia. All relevant changes are well mentioned below, so take a moment and go through properly to pick your test exam and the required score.

Before you become calculative about these very significant changes made in the evaluation. Let us first of all introduce or to say just brief you about the importance of these examinations.

1} Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) – Formerly known as Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). Its evaluation possesses a grading system. In accordance with the Cambridge English Scale, the score is on the scale of 142 to 210. The score of 200-210 signifies C2 level, whereas >180 show C1 and 160 – 179 has B2 level.

2} International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)​ – It is an English Language Test designed for non – native speakers. It depends which version of it you wish to take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. It is available in both forms paper mode and computer-based test.  IELTS scores are in the bandwidth of 0 to 9 where you reading, writing, speaking and listening are evaluated individually to obtain an overall average band score.

3} Occupational English Test (OET)​– Designed especially for those who intend to work in the health-related field in any English-speaking country. It is available in 12 designed formats specifically defining your healthcare profession. Though the test has numerical scores which is later converted intoi grades ranging from A to E (A being the highest and E is the lowest).

4} PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) – PTE is one of the most widely accepted examinations worldwide. The scores accepted may vary from country to country. The most advantageous factor about PTE is that its result is declared within five business days (lesser time than any other examination).The PTE scores are scaled between 10 to 90, 90 being the highest possible score

5} Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) – The most widely accepted test, especially for academic settings, be it University admission or to be eligible for their scholarships. The total score spans over 0 to 120 with each section reading, listening, speaking and writing, is scored out of 30 each.

Before 06-Aug-2025, Australia Immigration was accepting following 5 English Language Tests:

  1. Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
  2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)​
  3. Occupational English Test (OET)​
  4. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
  5. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

And from 07-Aug-2025, the department has widened the language test result acceptance to a total of 9 English language test result, which are as follows:

  1. Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
  2. ​​Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
  3. International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS Academic)
  4. International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS General Training)
  5. Michigan English Test (MET)
  6. Occupational English Test (OET)
  7. LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LanguageCert Academic)
  8. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
  9. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

From 07-Aug 2025, the scoring pattern of PTE and OET has also been updated and changed

Australia Immigration 2025

Australia Immigration 2025

Note: This change is not applicable to Subclass 482 till December 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions :

  1. After this change do I need to reappear for the test if my current English test report is valid?
  • No, your current valid test score (exam given before 06-Aug-2025) will be accepted until its validity
  1. Why the changes are made?
  • Ensure consistent scoring across test providers
  • Give more flexibility and test options for visa applicants.
  1. Online test result are accepted?
  • Home based online tests are not accepted for Immigration purpose

Examples of online tests that we do not accept for Australian visa purposes include:

  • CELPIP Online
  • IELTS Online
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
  • MET Digital (taken at home)
  • OET@Home
  • TOEFL iBT – Home Edition