{"id":"F2025L00904","name":"Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025","slug":"migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442910,"registerId":"F2025L00904-fast-fetch-1775957824091","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) 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 25/014\n\n \n\nMigration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025\n\nI, Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration, make the following instrument.\n\nDated 5 August 2025\n\nMatt Thistlethwaite\n\nAssistant Minister for Immigration\n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Schedules\n\nPart 2—Specified evidence of English language proficiency\n\n6  Specified evidence of English language proficiency\n\n7  Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument\n\nPart 3—Application\n\n8  Application of this instrument\n\nSchedule 1—Language tests and minimum test scores for specified evidence of English language proficiency\n\nSchedule 2—Repeals\n\nMigration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency 2015 – IMMI 15/004\n\n \n\n \n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on 7 August 2025.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under paragraph 5.17(a) of the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Migration Act 1958.\n\naverage band score means a test score calculated from the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.\n\nCELPIP General means the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General.\n\nEnglish test components means all of the following:\n\n (a) listening;\n\n (b) reading;\n\n (c) speaking; and\n\n (d) writing.\n\nIELTS Academic means the International English Language Test System Academic.\n\nIELTS General Training means the International English Language Test System General Training.\n\nLANGUAGECERT Academic means the LANGUAGECERT Academic Test.\n\nLanguage tests means the language tests mentioned in column 1 of the table in Schedule 1 to this instrument.\n\nMET means the Michigan English Test.\n\nOET means the Occupational English Test.\n\nOverall band score means a test score calculated from the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.\n\nPTE Academic means Pearson Test of English Academic.\n\nrelevant application means an application, including (but not limited to):\n\n (a) an application for a visa; or\n\n (b) an application under section 140GB of the Act to approve a nomination under subsection 140GB(2) of the Act;\n\nwhere a person is required, for the purposes of that application, to satisfy a criterion or meet a requirement under the Act or the Regulations to have functional English.\n\nNote: For the meaning of functional English, see subsection 5(2) of the Act.\n\nExample 1: Subregulation 2.72A(14) of the Regulations provides that one of the criteria for the Minister to approve a nomination under subsection 140GB(2) of the Act is that the Minister is satisfied that the nominee has functional English.\n\nExample 2: Under clause 407.212 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the applicant for a Subclass 407 (Training) visa must satisfy the Minister that the applicant has functional English.\n\nRegulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\nMinimum test scores means: see paragraph 6(3)(a) of this instrument.\n\nTOEFL iBT means Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test.\n\nTotal band score means a test score calculated from the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.\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\n\n\n\nPart 2—Specified evidence of English language proficiency\n\n6  Specified evidence of English language proficiency\n\n  For the purposes of paragraph 5(2)(b) of the Act, the following requirements are specified and recognised as prescribed evidence of the English language proficiency of a person who has functional English:\n\n (a) the person provides evidence of having completed one of the following at an educational institution or institutions in which all instruction was conducted in English:\n\n (i) all years of primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education; or\n\n (ii) at least 5 years of secondary education; or\n\n (b) the person provides evidence of having successfully completed, in Australia, at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards one or more of the following at an institution or institutions, where all the instruction was conducted in English:\n\n (i) a degree; or\n\n (ii) a higher degree; or\n\n (iii) a diploma; or\n\n (iv) an associate diploma; or\n\n (c) the person provides evidence of having achieved one of the minimum test scores mentioned in column 2, 3 or 4 of the table in Schedule 1 in a test mentioned in column 1 of the same item of the table, and where:\n\n (i) that test was based on the English test components; and\n\n (ii) that test was undertaken:\n\n (A) in the period of 12 months immediately before the day on which the relevant application is made; or\n\n (B) on or after the day on which the relevant application is made; or\n\n (d) the person provides evidence that they are a citizen of, and hold a valid passport issued by, one of the following countries:\n\n (i) Canada; or\n\n (ii) New Zealand; or\n\n (iii) the Republic of Ireland; or\n\n (iv) the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; or\n\n (v) the United States of America.\n\n7  Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument\n\n (1) For the purposes of paragraph 5(2)(b) of the Act, the requirements in subsections (2), (3), (4) and (5) are specified under subregulation 5.17(a) of the Regulations as prescribed evidence of the English language proficiency of a person, for the purposes of a relevant application:\n\n (a) that is made on or after the day this instrument commences; and\n\n (b) where the person has undertaken a test that is mentioned in any one of subsections (2), (3), (4) or (5), and where the test was undertaken:\n\n (i) in the period of 12 months immediately before the day on which the relevant application is made; and\n\n (ii) before the day on which this instrument commences.\n\n (2) The person provides evidence of having achieved an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average band score of at least 4.5, based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in that test.\n\n (3) The person provides evidence of having achieved a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) total band score of at least 32, based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in that test.\n\n (4) The person provides evidence of having achieved a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall band score of at least 30, based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in that test.\n\n (5) The person provides evidence of having achieved a Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) overall score of at least 147 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in that test.\n\n\n\n\nPart 3—Application\n\n8  Application of this instrument\n\n  This instrument applies:\n\n (a) in relation to a relevant application made on or after the day on which the instrument commences; and\n\n (b) for other purposes under the Act and the Regulations in relation to functional English requirements on or after the day the instrument commences.\n\n\n\n\nSchedule 1—Language tests and minimum test scores for specified evidence of English language proficiency\n\n \n\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4\n- Item Language Tests Average band score Overall band score Total band score\n- 1 CELPIP General at least 5\n- 2 IELTS Academic at least 4.5\n- 3 IELTS General Training at least 4.5\n- 4 LANGUAGECERT Academic at least 38\n- 5 MET at least 38\n- 6 OET at least 1020\n- 7 PTE Academic at least 24\n- 8 TOEFL iBT at least 26\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nSchedule 2—Repeals\n\nMigration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency 2015 – IMMI 15/004\n\n1  The whole of the instrument\n\nRepeal the instrument.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument repeals the earlier 2015 specification (Schedule 2) and replaces it with a new set of acceptable evidence and minimum scores (Schedule 1; s6). It broadens and/or updates the enumerated tests and score thresholds, sets explicit timing rules and a transitional clause for tests taken before commencement (s7), and applies to relevant applications from 7 August 2025 (s2, s8). Administrators must now apply the new list and transitional rules instead of the 2015 instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple alternative evidence pathways (education in English, specified tests with varied score metrics, specified passports) — see s6(a)–(d).","Wide range of accepted tests and differing score metrics (average/overall/total band) across items in Schedule 1 and definitions in s4.","Timing rules for test validity: tests must be within 12 months before application or on/after application (s6(c)(ii)(A)–(B); s7 sets transitional tests taken before commencement).","Transitional regime for tests taken before commencement, including specific minimum scores (s7(1)–(5)).","Repeal of the 2015 specification (Schedule 2) requires administrators to migrate to new list and thresholds.","Cross-references to the Migration Act and Regulations and reliance on defined term 'functional English' (s3, s4, s8) create dependence on external provisions.","Evidence and verification burden on applicants to 'provide evidence' of education or test results (s6(a)–(c))."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument specifies what counts as acceptable evidence that a person has ‘functional English’ for visa and related Migration Act applications. It lists accepted language tests and minimum scores, education completed where instruction was in English, and certain passport holders, and applies to relevant applications from 7 August 2025.\n\nIt replaces the earlier 2015 specification and adds transitional rules for tests taken up to 12 months before an application; decision‑makers must check test type, score calculation and timing when assessing applicants."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument maintains the same scope as its predecessor—specifying evidence for functional English under the Migration Act. While it updates test options and lowers some score thresholds, it does not expand beyond the original purpose of defining evidentiary standards for English language proficiency."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple pathways to prove English proficiency (education, Australian study, tests, passport) with distinct evidentiary requirements","Transitional provisions in section 7 create parallel scoring systems for pre-commencement tests vs new tests","Schedule 1 table requires cross-referencing between columns for test names vs score types (average/overall/total band scores)","12-month validity window for tests with conditional timing (before vs after application date vs instrument commencement)","17 defined terms in section 4, including nested definitions ('English test components' defined separately and referenced in multiple places)","Repeal of previous instrument (IMMI 15/004) requires understanding of what is being replaced"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument (effective 7 Aug 2025) defines how visa applicants and nominated workers prove “functional English” for Australian immigration—by certain education or Australian study in English, holding a passport from specified English‑speaking countries, or passing approved English tests at set minimum scores. It updates and in some cases lowers test score requirements and adds new approved tests, making it easier for some applicants (and employers nominating them) to meet the English requirement."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025","history":"/api/acts/migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-evidence-of-functional-english-language-proficiency-instrument-2025/documents"}}