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.
💡 Related post: How to Choose the Right English Test for Your Australian Visa
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.
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