{"id":"F2025L00250","name":"Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa—Pacific Engagement Stream) Instrument 2025","slug":"migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442765,"registerId":"F2025L00250-fast-fetch-1775957706436","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa—Pacific Engagement Stream) Instrument 2025","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nLIN 25/025\n\n \n\nMigration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa—Pacific Engagement Stream) Instrument 2025\n\nI, Tony Burke, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, make the following instrument.\n\nDated   25 February 2025\n\nTony Burke\n\nMinister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Schedules\n\n6  English language test requirements for Pacific Engagement stream visa\n\n7  Application and transitional provisions\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nMigration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa) Instrument (LIN 24/023) 2024\n\n \n\n \n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa—Pacific Engagement Stream) Instrument 2025\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on 1 May 2025.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under clause 192.223 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations.\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nMigration Regulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\nPacific Engagement stream visa means a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa in the Pacific Engagement stream as set out in Subdivision 192.22 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations.\n\n5  Schedules\n\n  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.\n\n6  English language test requirements for Pacific Engagement stream visa\n\n (1) For the purposes of clause 192.223 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, the following English language test requirements are specified:\n\n (a) the applicant, or (if the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner has made a combined application for a visa with the applicant) the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, must undertake an English language test mentioned in subsection (2); and\n\n (b) the applicant, or (if the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner has made a combined application for a visa with the applicant) the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, must achieve the test scores specified in Column 2 of an item in the table under subsection (3), in relation to the test undertaken; and\n\n (c) the test required under paragraph (1)(a) was undertaken within:\n\n (i) if evidence of the test is provided at the time the applicant makes an application for a Pacific Engagement stream visa—3 years immediately before the day of the visa application; or\n\n (ii) if evidence of the test is not provided at the time the visa application is made—3 years immediately before the day on which a decision to grant or refuse grant of the visa is made.\n\n (2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(a), the English language tests are:\n\n (a) the Cambridge English: Advanced test (the CAE);\n\n (b) the International English Language Testing System (the IELTS);\n\n (c) the Occupational English Test (the OET);\n\n (d) the Pearson Test of English Academic (the PTE);\n\n (e) the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (the TOEFL iBT), if the test was undertaken on or before 25 July 2023.\n\n (3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the test scores for an English language test required under paragraph (1)(a) are specified in Column 2 of an item in the following table in relation to the test mentioned in Column 1 of that item.\n\n \n\n- English language test scores\n- Item Column 1: English language tests Column 2: Test scores\n- 1 the CAE for each of the listening and speaking components of the CAE—a score of at least 154.\n- 2 the IELTS for each of the listening and speaking test components of the IELTS—a score of at least 5.0.\n- 3 the OET for each of the listening and speaking test components of the OET—a score of at least B.\n- 4 the PTE for each of the listening and speaking components of the PTE—a score of at least 36.\n- 5 the TOEFL iBT (a) for the listening component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 4; and(b) for the speaking component of the TOEFL—a score of at least 14.\n\n\nNote:  Minimum test scores are not required unless set out in the table above. This means there is no minimum test score required for reading and writing components. A minimum overall test score is also not required. \n\n7  Application and transitional provisions\n\n (1) This instrument applies in relation to an application for a Pacific Engagement stream visa made on or after 1 May 2025, if the application relates to a selected participant for a visa pre-application process conducted on or after 1 May 2025 in relation to a Pacific Engagement stream visa.\n\n (2) Despite the repeal of the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa) Instrument (LIN 24/023) 2024 (LIN 24/023) by Schedule 1 to this instrument, LIN 24/023 continues to apply in relation to an application for a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa if the application relates to a selected participant for a visa pre-application process conducted before 1 May 2025 in relation to a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa.  \n\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nMigration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa) Instrument (LIN 24/023) 2024\n\n1  The whole of the instrument\n\nRepeal the instrument.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying English language requirements for the Subclass 192 Pacific Engagement stream visa. It replaces a 2024 instrument with nearly identical scope, updating only the commencement date and application timing rules. No expansion beyond the original visa category or English testing framework."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument (7 sections plus 1 schedule)","Only 2 defined terms in section 4","Single operative provision (section 6) with clear sub-paragraph structure","Simple table format for test scores with 5 rows","One transitional provision (section 7) with straightforward cut-off date (1 May 2025)","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic—just alternative pathways (applicant vs spouse, timing of evidence provision)","Repeals only one previous instrument in full (Schedule 1)"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the English requirement for the Subclass 192 Pacific Engagement stream: either the main applicant or their partner must show recent test evidence. It accepts common tests (CAE, IELTS, OET, PTE, and limited TOEFL iBT) but only requires modest listening and speaking scores — no reading, writing, or overall minima.\n\nAimed at Pacific applicants, it lowers the English bar to improve accessibility for the new visa and takes effect 1 May 2025."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument replaces the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa) Instrument (LIN 24/023) (Schedule 1) and specifies particular test types, listening and speaking minima, and timing rules. It applies to applications linked to pre-application processes conducted on or after 1 May 2025, while LIN 24/023 continues to apply for selected participants from pre-application processes conducted before 1 May 2025 (s7(1)–(2); Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Legal cross-reference to clause 192.223 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations (s3) adds dependency on external provision.","Conditional requirement that either the applicant or the applicant’s spouse/de facto partner must undertake and meet test scores (s6(1)(a)–(b)) introduces joint-application nuance.","Multiple accepted test types with component-specific minima for listening and speaking only, and no reading/writing or overall score minima (s6(2)–(3) and Note) increases rule complexity for assessors and applicants.","TOEFL iBT acceptance limited to tests taken on or before 25 July 2023 (s6(2)(e)) creates a time-limited exception to the test list.","Different 3‑year temporal windows depending on whether test evidence is provided at application time or only by decision time (s6(1)(c)(i)–(ii)) creates two alternative compliance reference dates.","Repeal of LIN 24/023 and transitional preservation of that instrument for applications tied to earlier pre-application processes (Schedule 1; s7(1)–(2)) creates layered temporal application rules.","Authority delegated to Minister under a Schedule clause (s3) concentrates rule-making origin in a delegated provision, requiring cross-check of parent regulation for full context."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the exact English tests and minimum listening and speaking scores that Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa applicants — and their partner if they apply together — must meet. Tests must be taken within three years (with different reference dates depending on whether test evidence is supplied at application). It repeals the 2024 instrument and applies to applications linked to pre-application processes starting 1 May 2025, so it determines which test results will satisfy the visa’s English requirement."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-","history":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-requirements-for-subclass-192-pacific-engagement-visa-pacific-engagement-/documents"}}