{"id":"F2025L00905","name":"Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025","slug":"migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442911,"registerId":"F2025L00905-fast-fetch-1775957824093","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) 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 25/016\n\n \n\nMigration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) 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—Specification of English requirements\n\n6  Specification of vocational English requirements\n\n7  Specification of competent English requirements\n\n8  Specification of proficient English requirements\n\n9  Specification of superior English requirements\n\n10  Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument\n\nPart 3—Application\n\n11  Application of this instrument\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nMigration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Language Tests, Score and Passports 2015 – IMMI 15/005\n\nSchedule 2—Specified language tests and test scores\n\nSchedule 3—Specified passports\n\n \n\n \n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on 7 August 2025.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under the following provisions of the Migration Regulations 1994:\n\n (a) paragraphs 1.15B(1)(a) and 1.15B(1)(c);\n\n (b) subregulation 1.15B(2);\n\n (c) paragraphs 1.15C(1)(a) and 1.15C(1)(c);\n\n (d) subregulation 1.15C(2);\n\n (e) paragraphs 1.15D(a) and 1.15D(c); and\n\n (f) paragraphs 1.15EA(a) and 1.15EA(c).\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Migration Act 1958.\n\nC1 Advanced means the Cambridge Advanced Test.\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 (IELTS) Academic.\n\nIELTS General Training means the International English Language Test System (IELTS) General Training.\n\nLANGUAGECERT Academic means the LANGUAGECERT Academic Test.\n\nMET means the Michigan English Test.\n\nOET means the Occupational English Test.\n\nPTE Academic means the Pearson Test of English Academic.\n\nRegulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\nTOEFL iBT means the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test.\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—Specification of English requirements\n\n6  Specification of vocational English requirements\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n (3) 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 the minimum test scores required for each of the English test components.\n\nNote: The C1 Advanced test in column 1 of the table in Schedule 2 is excluded from the specified Vocational English requirements.\n\n (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.\n\n7  Specification of competent English requirements\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n8  Specification of proficient English requirements\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n9  Specification of superior English requirements\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\n (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.\n\nNote: The MET test in column 6 of the table in Schedule 2 is excluded from the specified Superior English requirements.\n\n10  Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument\n\n (1) For the purposes of the following provisions of the Regulations:\n\n (a) paragraphs 1.15B(1)(a) and 1.15B(1)(c);\n\n (b) subregulation 1.15B(2);\n\n (c) paragraphs 1.15C(1)(a) and 1.15C(1)(c);\n\n (d) subregulation 1.15C(2);\n\n (d) paragraphs 1.15D(a) and 1.15D(c); and\n\n (e) paragraphs 1.15EA(a) and 1.15EA(c);\n\nthe requirements in subsections (2) to (9) are specified and recognised as prescribed evidence of English language proficiency for a person who:\n\n (f) makes a visa application on or after the day this instrument commences; and\n\n (g) where the person has undertaken a test specified in subsection (2), (4), (6) or (8):\n\n (i) in the period of 36 months immediately before the day on which the visa application is made; and\n\n (ii) before the day on which this instrument commences; and\n\n (h) where the person achieved the necessary test score specified in subsection (3), (5), (7) or (9).\n\nVocational English\n\n (2) For paragraph 1.15B(1)(a) of the Regulations, a person undertook one of the following specified language tests:\n\n (a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or\n\n (b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or\n\n (c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or\n\n (d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or\n\n (e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).\n\n (3) For paragraph 1.15B(1)(c) of the Regulations, the person achieved one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an IELTS test score of at least 5 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (b) an OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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\n\n (d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 36 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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.\n\nCompetent English\n\n (4) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(a) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or\n\n (b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or\n\n (c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or\n\n (d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or\n\n (e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).\n\n (5) For paragraph 1.15C(1)(c) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an IELTS test score of at least 6 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (b) an OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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\n\n (d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 50 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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.\n\nProficient English\n\n (6) For paragraph 1.15D(a) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or\n\n (b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or\n\n (c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or\n\n (d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or\n\n (e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test(also known as Certificate in Advanced English).\n\n (7) For paragraph 1.15D(c) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an IELTS test score of at least 7 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (b) an OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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\n\n (d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 65 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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.\n\nSuperior English\n\n (8) For paragraph 1.15EA(a) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an International English Language Test System (IELTS) test; or\n\n (b) an Occupational English Test (OET); or\n\n (c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT); or\n\n (d) a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic); or\n\n (e) a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).\n\n (9) For paragraph 1.15EA(c) of the Regulations, the person achieve one of the specified test scores:\n\n (a) an IELTS test score of at least 8 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (b) an OET test score of at least A in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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\n\n (d) a PTE Academic test score of at least 79 in each of the four test components of listening, reading, writing and speaking; or\n\n (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.\n\n\n\n\nPart 3—Application\n\n11  Application of this instrument\n\n  This instrument applies:\n\n (a) in relation to a visa application made on or after the day on which the instrument commences; and\n\n (b) for other purposes under the Regulations in relation to English language proficiency requirements, including:\n\n (i) vocational English;\n\n (ii) competent English;\n\n (iii) proficient English;\n\n (iv) superior English.\n\n\n\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nMigration Regulations 1994 – Specification of Language Tests, Score and Passports 2015 – IMMI 15/005\n\n1  The whole of the instrument\n\nRepeal the instrument.\n\nSchedule 2—Specified language tests and test scores\n\n \n\n- Item Level of English Column1 Column2 Column3 Column4 Column5 Column6 Column7 Column8 Column9\n- C1 Advanced CELPIP General IELTS Academic IELTS General Training LANGUAGECERT Academic MET OET PTE Academic TOEFL iBT\n- 1 Vocational Excluded. 5 (listening) 5 (listening) 5 (listening) 41 (listening) 49 (listening) 220 (listening) 33 (listening) 8 (listening)\n- 5 (reading) 5 (reading) 5 (reading) 44 (reading) 47 (reading) 240 (reading) 36 (reading) 8 (reading)\n- 5 (writing) 5 (writing) 5 (writing) 45 (writing) 45 (writing) 200 (writing) 29 (writing) 9 (writing)\n- 5 (speaking) 5 (speaking) 5 (speaking) 54 (speaking) 38 (speaking) 270 (speaking) 24 (speaking) 14 (speaking)\n- 2 Competent 163 (listening) 7 (listening) 6 (listening) 6 (listening) 57 (listening) 56 (listening) 290 (listening) 47 (listening) 16 (listening)\n- 163 (reading) 7 (reading) 6 (reading) 6 (reading) 60 (reading) 55 (reading) 310 (reading) 48 (reading) 16 (reading)\n- 170 (writing) 7 (writing) 6 (writing) 6 (writing) 64 (writing) 57 (writing) 290 (writing) 51 (writing) 19 (writing)\n- 179 (speaking) 7 (speaking) 6 (speaking) 6 (speaking) 70 (speaking) 48 (speaking) 330 (speaking) 54 (speaking) 19 (speaking)\n- 3 Proficient 175 (listening) 9 (listening) 7 (listening) 7 (listening) 67 (listening) 61 (listening) 350 (listening) 58 (listening) 22 (listening)\n- 179 (reading) 8 (reading) 7 (reading) 7 (reading) 71 (reading) 63 (reading) 360 (reading) 59 (reading) 22 (reading)\n- 193 (writing) 10 (writing) 7 (writing) 7 (writing) 78 (writing) 74 (writing) 380 (writing) 69 (writing) 26 (writing)\n- 194 (speaking) 8 (speaking) 7 (speaking) 7 (speaking) 82 (speaking) 59 (speaking) 360 (speaking) 76 (speaking) 24 (speaking)\n- 4 Superior 186 (listening) 10 (listening) 8 (listening) 8 (listening) 80 (listening) Excluded. 390 (listening) 69 (listening) 26 (listening)\n- 190 (reading) 10 (reading) 8 (reading) 8 (reading) 83 (reading) 400 (reading) 70 (reading) 27 (reading)\n- 210 (writing) 12 (writing) 8 (writing) 8 (writing) 89 (writing) 420 (writing) 85 (writing) 30 (writing)\n- 208 (speaking) 10 (speaking) 8 (speaking) 8 (speaking) 89 (speaking) 400 (speaking) 88 (speaking) 28 (speaking)\n\n\n \n\nSchedule 3—Specified passports\n\n \n\n| Item | Country |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | Canada |\n| 2 | New Zealand |\n| 3 | The Republic of Ireland |\n| 4 | The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |\n| 5 | The United States of America |\n\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument repeals the 2015 specification (Schedule 1) and replaces it with an updated matrix of specified tests and component-level scores for four English tiers (ss 6–9 and Schedule 2). It also restates the list of passports accepted as evidence (Schedule 3) and adds transitional recognition for tests taken within 36 months before application but before commencement (s 10). The legal scope of acceptable evidence is therefore altered by the new test list, numeric thresholds, and the stated exclusions (see notes in ss 6 and 9 and Schedule 2)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple proficiency levels (vocational, competent, proficient, superior) each with distinct component-level minima (see ss 6–9 and Schedule 2).","Nine different test types specified with per-component scores (listening, reading, writing, speaking) across levels (Schedule 2 table).","Exclusions and uneven applicability: C1 Advanced excluded from Vocational (s 6 note); MET excluded from Superior (s 9 note).","Transitional recognition rules for tests taken before commencement with a 36‑month lookback and score-specific conditions (s 10(1)–(9)).","Repeal of the 2015 instrument and replacement approach (Schedule 1), increasing regulatory churn for affected applicants and providers.","Cross-references to specific Migration Regulations provisions that determine legal effect (s 3 cites multiple rr 1.15B–1.15EA).","Specified passport list that creates a non-test route for certain citizens (Schedule 3; ss 6(4), 7(4)).","Detailed numeric thresholds require granular compliance and verification by decision-makers and applicants (Schedule 2 numeric matrix)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument specifies which English tests and the minimum component scores that count as vocational, competent, proficient and superior English for Australian visa purposes, and it lists passports that qualify as evidence. It replaces the prior specification and applies to visa applications made on or after 7 August 2025, so applicants must meet these component-level thresholds when submitting evidence of English ability."},"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":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument directly replaces IMMI 15/005 from 2015 and maintains the same core purpose: specifying English tests, scores, and exempt passports. While it adds new tests (LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET, CELPIP General) and adjusts some score thresholds, this represents evolution within the original scope rather than scope creep. The structure remains tightly focused on English language specification for visa purposes."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to Migration Regulations 1994 provisions (paragraphs 1.15B, 1.15C, 1.15D, 1.15EA)","Dense tabular data in Schedule 2 with 9 test columns and 4 proficiency rows, requiring horizontal reading across multiple score thresholds","Selective exclusion of certain tests for certain levels (C1 Advanced excluded from Vocational; MET excluded from Superior)","Parallel structure repeated across four proficiency levels with minor variations creating visual redundancy","Transitional provisions in section 10 creating dual regimes (pre-commencement vs post-commencement tests with different validity periods)","12 defined terms in section 4, mostly acronyms for test names"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument replaces the 2015 rules and sets how English proficiency is proved for Australian visas: it specifies accepted tests, minimum scores tied to four skill bands (vocational, competent, proficient, superior), and five passport-holding countries whose nationals may be exempt.\n\nIt also grandfathers tests taken up to three years earlier under the old scoring. It affects anyone needing to prove English (skilled migrants, students, some family applicants) and determines eligibility and visa points."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025","history":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-language-tests-test-scores-and-passports-instrument-2025/documents"}}