Updated Student Visa English Requirements 2025: What You Need to Know Before Applying

skylarkmigrationma
Oct 20
3 min read

Man excitedly using laptop in a park. Text overlay: "NEW UPDATE: Student Visa English Requirements 2025: What You Need to Know Before Applying." — Excited student reacts to updated 2025 English requirements for student visas in a tranquil park setting.

Australia has refreshed its English language standards for the Subclass 500 Student Visa, effective 7 August 2025. If you’re gearing up to study Down Under, you’ll want to understand exactly how these updates affect your application.

Let’s unpack it in plain English (pun intended).

When Did the New Student Visa English Requirements 2025 Start?

The new English language rules officially kicked in on 7 August 2025, replacing the 2024 version. If you’re applying for your student visa anytime after that date, these are the requirements you’ll be assessed under.

Why the Change?

The goal is simple: to make sure students arriving in Australia have the English language skills they’ll need to succeed in their studies and settle into life here. It’s all backed by the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 2, subclause 500.213(3)), which outlines the official framework for student visa conditions.

Which English Tests Are Accepted Now?

To meet the Student Visa English Requirements 2025, your test must be taken within two years before either:

The date you apply for your visa, or
The date your visa decision is made.

Here’s the current list of approved tests and minimum scores:

Test Name	Minimum Score (Standard Entry)	With 10 Weeks ELICOS/Pathway	With 20 Weeks ELICOS
C1 Advanced	161	Not accepted	Not accepted
CELPIP General	7	6	5
IELTS Academic	6.0 (average)	5.5	5.0
IELTS General Training	6.0 (average)	5.5	5.0
LANGUAGECERT Academic	61	54	46
MET	53	49	44
OET	1210	1090	1020
PTE Academic	47	39	31
TOEFL iBT	67	51	37

If you’ve been eyeing a particular course that allows pathway or ELICOS entry, pay attention to the second and third columns. They could be your saving grace if your test score falls just short.

Pathway Programs and Lower English Scores

Students who start with a foundation or diploma-level pathway course before moving to their main degree may qualify for lower English score requirements.

Some universities offering recognised pathways include:

Charles Darwin University
Deakin University
Edith Cowan University
Flinders University
Griffith University
University of Adelaide
University of Technology Sydney and many more.

For the full list, you can check the official legislation.

Who’s Exempt from the Student Visa English Requirements 2025?

Not everyone needs to sit an English test. You’re exempt if you:

Are a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland
Are enrolled in ELICOS-only, high school, postgraduate research, or non-English courses
Are a Foreign Affairs, Defence, or Secondary Exchange student
Have studied in English for 5+ years in an eligible country
Completed Year 12 or a Certificate IV or higher in Australia within the last two years

Pretty straightforward, right? Still, it’s easy to overlook a detail, so double-check before applying.

What About Tests Taken Before 7 August 2025?

Good news: older test results can still be valid. If you took an English test before 7 August 2025, it’ll count if:

It’s less than two years old when you apply or when your visa is decided, and
It meets the minimum score from the older (2024) criteria below:

Test Name	Standard Entry	10 Weeks ELICOS/Pathway	20 Weeks ELICOS
Cambridge English: Advanced	169	162	154
IELTS	6.0	5.5	5.0
OET	B in all parts	B in all parts	B in all parts
PTE Academic	50	42	36
TOEFL iBT	64	46	35

How These English Requirements Affect Your Student Visa Application

Whether you’re midway through test prep or already holding an offer letter, these updated English requirements could influence your next move.

If your score is just below the threshold, don’t panic. A longer ELICOS course or a pathway diploma might still keep your dream alive.

Here’s a quick takeaway:

Check your test date and validity window.
Match your program’s requirements carefully.
Keep an eye on approved tests and score updates.

Need Help Understanding What Applies to You?

Visa rules can feel like a maze, and missing one clause can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. That’s where we come in.

At Skylark Migration, our team (including former DHA case officers) helps students make sense of the fine print and find the best route for their Australian study goals.

Final Thoughts

The Student Visa English Requirements 2025 are all about ensuring students are ready, both linguistically and academically, for life in Australia. So before you hit “submit” on that visa application, make sure your test results tick every box.

And if you’re unsure? Don’t go it alone. Reach out to us for a personalised consultation, and we’ll help you get it right from the start.