LIN 25/016
Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025
I, Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration, make the following instrument.
Dated 5 August 2025
Matt Thistlethwaite
Assistant Minister for Immigration
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Definitions
5 Schedules
Part 2—Specification of English requirements
6 Specification of vocational English requirements
7 Specification of competent English requirements
8 Specification of proficient English requirements
9 Specification of superior English requirements
10 Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument
Part 3—Application
11 Application of this instrument
Schedule 1—Repeals
Migration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Language Tests, Score and Passports 2015 – IMMI 15/005
Schedule 2—Specified language tests and test scores
Schedule 3—Specified passports
This instrument is the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025.
This instrument commences on 7 August 2025.
This instrument is made under the following provisions of the Migration Regulations 1994:
(a) paragraphs 1.15B(1)(a) and 1.15B(1)(c);
(b) subregulation 1.15B(2);
(c) paragraphs 1.15C(1)(a) and 1.15C(1)(c);
(d) subregulation 1.15C(2);
(e) paragraphs 1.15D(a) and 1.15D(c); and
(f) paragraphs 1.15EA(a) and 1.15EA(c).
In this instrument:
Act means the Migration Act 1958.
C1 Advanced means the Cambridge Advanced Test.
CELPIP General means the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General.
English test components means all of the following:
(a) listening;
(b) reading;
(c) speaking; and
(d) writing.
IELTS Academic means the International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic.
IELTS General Training means the International English Language Test System (IELTS) General Training.
LANGUAGECERT Academic means the LANGUAGECERT Academic Test.
MET means the Michigan English Test.
OET means the Occupational English Test.
PTE Academic means the Pearson Test of English Academic.
Regulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.
TOEFL iBT means the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test.
Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.
(1) For paragraph 1.15B(1)(a) of the Regulations, the language tests in columns 2 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified.
(2) For paragraph 1.15B(1)(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 1 of columns 2 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified for each language test in subsection 6(1) of this instrument.
Note: The C1 Advanced test in column 1 of the table in Schedule 2 is excluded from the specified Vocational English requirements.
(4) For subregulation 1.15B(2) of the Regulations, the applicant is a citizen of and a holder of a valid passport issued by one of the countries specified in an item of the table in Schedule 3.
(1) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(a) of the Regulations, the language tests in columns 1 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified.
(2) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 2 of columns 1 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified for each language test in subsection 7(1) of this instrument.
(3) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 2 of columns 1 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2, are the minimum test scores required for each of the English test components.
(4) For subregulation 1.15C(2) of the Regulations, the applicant is a citizen of and the holder of a valid passport issued by one of the countries specified in an item of the table in Schedule 3.
(1) For paragraph 1.15D(a) of the Regulations, the language tests in columns 1 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified.
(2) For paragraph 1.15D(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 3 of columns 1 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified for each language test in subsection 8(1) of this instrument.
(3) For paragraph 1.15D(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 3 of columns 1 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are the minimum test scores required for each of the English test components.
(1) For paragraph 1.15EA(a) of the Regulations, the language tests in columns 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified.
(2) For paragraph 1.15EA(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 4 of columns 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are specified for each language test in subsection 9(1) of this instrument.
(3) For paragraph 1.15EA(c) of the Regulations, the test scores in item 4 of columns 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 of the table in Schedule 2 are the minimum test scores required for each of the English test components.
Note: The MET test in column 6 of the table in Schedule 2 is excluded from the specified Superior English requirements.
(1) For the purposes of the following provisions of the Regulations:
(a) paragraphs 1.15B(1)(a) and 1.15B(1)(c);
(b) subregulation 1.15B(2);
(c) paragraphs 1.15C(1)(a) and 1.15C(1)(c);
(d) subregulation 1.15C(2);
(d) paragraphs 1.15D(a) and 1.15D(c); and
(e) paragraphs 1.15EA(a) and 1.15EA(c);
the requirements in subsections (2) to (9) are specified and recognised as prescribed evidence of English language proficiency for a person who:
(f) makes a visa application on or after the day this instrument commences; and
(g) where the person has undertaken a test specified in subsection (2), (4), (6) or (8):
(i) in the period of 36 months immediately before the day on which the visa application is made; and
(ii) before the day on which this instrument commences; and
(h) where the person achieved the necessary test score specified in subsection (3), (5), (7) or (9).
Vocational English
(2) For paragraph 1.15B(1)(a) of the Regulations, a person undertook one of the following specified language tests:
(a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or
(b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or
(c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or
(d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
(3) For paragraph 1.15B(1)(c) of the Regulations, the person achieved one of the specified test scores:
(a) an IELTS test score of at least 5 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(b) an OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(c) a TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking; or
(d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 36 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 154 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Competent English
(4) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(a) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:
(a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or
(b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or
(c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or
(d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
(5) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(c) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:
(a) an IELTS test score of at least 6 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(b) an OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(c) a TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking; or
(d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 50 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 169 in each of the four test components of listening, reading writing and speaking.
Proficient English
(6) For paragraph 1.15D(a) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:
(a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or
(b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or
(c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or
(d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test(also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
(7) For paragraph 1.15D(c) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:
(a) an IELTS test score of at least 7 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(b) an OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(c) a TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking; or
(d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 65 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 185 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Superior English
(8) For paragraph 1.15EA(a) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:
(a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or
(b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or
(c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or
(d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
(9) For paragraph 1.15EA(c) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:
(a) an IELTS test score of at least 8 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(b) an OET test score of at least A in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(c) a TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking; or
(d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 79 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or
(e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 200 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
This instrument applies:
(a) in relation to a visa application made on or after the day on which the instrument commences; and
(b) for other purposes under the Regulations in relation to English language proficiency requirements, including:
(i) vocational English;
(ii) competent English;
(iii) proficient English;
(iv) superior English.
1 The whole of the instrument
Repeal the instrument.
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Item | Level of English | Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | Column 6 | Column 7 | Column 8 | Column 9 |
C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | ||
1 | Vocational | Excluded. | 5 (listening) | 5 (listening) | 5 (listening) | 41 (listening) | 49 (listening) | 220 (listening) | 33 (listening) | 8 (listening) |
5 (reading) | 5 (reading) | 5 (reading) | 44 (reading) | 47 (reading) | 240 (reading) | 36 (reading) | 8 (reading) | |||
5 (writing) | 5 (writing) | 5 (writing) | 45 (writing) | 45 (writing) | 200 (writing) | 29 (writing) | 9 (writing) | |||
5 (speaking) | 5 (speaking) | 5 (speaking) | 54 (speaking) | 38 (speaking) | 270 (speaking) | 24 (speaking) | 14 (speaking) | |||
2 | Competent | 163 (listening) | 7 (listening) | 6 (listening) | 6 (listening) | 57 (listening) | 56 (listening) | 290 (listening) | 47 (listening) | 16 (listening) |
163 (reading) | 7 (reading) | 6 (reading) | 6 (reading) | 60 (reading) | 55 (reading) | 310 (reading) | 48 (reading) | 16 (reading) | ||
170 (writing) | 7 (writing) | 6 (writing) | 6 (writing) | 64 (writing) | 57 (writing) | 290 (writing) | 51 (writing) | 19 (writing) | ||
179 (speaking) | 7 (speaking) | 6 (speaking) | 6 (speaking) | 70 (speaking) | 48 (speaking) | 330 (speaking) | 54 (speaking) | 19 (speaking) | ||
3 | Proficient | 175 (listening) | 9 (listening) | 7 (listening) | 7 (listening) | 67 (listening) | 61 (listening) | 350 (listening) | 58 (listening) | 22 (listening) |
179 (reading) | 8 (reading) | 7 (reading) | 7 (reading) | 71 (reading) | 63 (reading) | 360 (reading) | 59 (reading) | 22 (reading) | ||
193 (writing) | 10 (writing) | 7 (writing) | 7 (writing) | 78 (writing) | 74 (writing) | 380 (writing) | 69 (writing) | 26 (writing) | ||
194 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 7 (speaking) | 7 (speaking) | 82 (speaking) | 59 (speaking) | 360 (speaking) | 76 (speaking) | 24 (speaking) | ||
4 | Superior | 186 (listening) | 10 (listening) | 8 (listening) | 8 (listening) | 80 (listening) | Excluded. | 390 (listening) | 69 (listening) | 26 (listening) |
190 (reading) | 10 (reading) | 8 (reading) | 8 (reading) | 83 (reading) | 400 (reading) | 70 (reading) | 27 (reading) | |||
210 (writing) | 12 (writing) | 8 (writing) | 8 (writing) | 89 (writing) | 420 (writing) | 85 (writing) | 30 (writing) | |||
208 (speaking) | 10 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 8 (speaking) | 89 (speaking) | 400 (speaking) | 88 (speaking) | 28 (speaking) | |||
Item | Country |
1 | Canada |
2 | New Zealand |
3 | The Republic of Ireland |
4 | The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
5 | The United States of America |