From 7 August 2025, the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 15/016) replaces the 2015 instrument (IMMI 15/005), updating English language test providers and scores for Australian visa applications.
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The new instrument LIN 15/016 specifies the English language proficiency requirements and the associated test scores accepted for Australian visa applications. It modernises the list of test providers and scores while maintaining continuity for tests undertaken under the previous instrument.
| C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | LANGUAGE-CERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOFEL iBT | ||
| Vocational | Listening | Excluded | 5 | 5 | 5 | 41 | 49 | 220 | 33 | 8 |
| Reading | 5 | 5 | 5 | 44 | 47 | 240 | 36 | 8 | ||
| Writing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 45 | 200 | 29 | 9 | ||
| Speaking | 5 | 5 | 5 | 54 | 38 | 270 | 24 | 14 | ||
| Competent | Listening | 163 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 57 | 56 | 290 | 47 | 16 |
| Reading | 163 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 60 | 55 | 310 | 48 | 16 | |
| Writing | 170 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 64 | 57 | 290 | 51 | 19 | |
| Speaking | 179 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 70 | 48 | 330 | 54 | 19 | |
| Proficient | Listening | 175 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 67 | 61 | 350 | 58 | 22 |
| Reading | 179 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 71 | 63 | 360 | 59 | 22 | |
| Writing | 193 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 78 | 74 | 380 | 69 | 26 | |
| Speaking | 194 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 82 | 59 | 360 | 76 | 24 | |
| Superior | Listening | 186 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 80 | EX C L U D E D | 390 | 69 | 26 |
| Reading | 190 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 83 | 400 | 70 | 27 | ||
| Writing | 210 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 89 | 420 | 85 | 30 | ||
| Speaking | 208 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 89 | 400 | 88 | 28 |
Tests Taken Before the Instrument Commenced
According to Section 10 of the instrument, a person will be considered to have the required English language proficiency if they:
- Submit a valid application on or after 7 August 2025;
- Have taken a test from the providers listed in subsections (2), (4), (6), or (8) (the same providers as those included in the previous instrument);
- Completed the test within the 36 months immediately before the visa application date, and before 7 August 2025, the date this instrument comes into effect;
- Achieved the required test score as specified in subsections (3), (5), (7), or (9), which are identical to the test scores outlined in the previous instrument IMMI 15/005
Link: LIN 25/016 – Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025