Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025
1Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025
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Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025
I, Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration, make the following instrument.
Dated 5 August 2025
Matt Thistlethwaite
Assistant Minister for Immigration
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Definitions
5 Schedules
Part 2—Specified English language requirements
6 Specified English language tests
7 Specified required test scores to be achieved
8 Specified period and requirements
9 Specified passports in relation to which English language proficiency requirements do not apply
10 Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument
Part 3—Application provisions
11 Application of this instrument
Schedule 1–Specified English Language test scores
Schedule 2–Required English language test scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders
Schedule 3–Specified Language test scores
Schedule 4–Required language test scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders
Schedule 5—Repeals
Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument (LIN 24/021) 2024
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
This instrument is the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences on 7 August 2025.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under clause 485.212 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994.
4 Definitions
In this instrument:
average band score means a test score calculated from the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.
English test component means each of the following in relation to an English language test:
Section 1 - Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 - Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 | Zoe
(a) listening;
(b) reading;
(c) writing; and
(d) speaking.
overall band score means a test score calculated from the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.
Regulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.
total band score means a test score calculated form the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.
visa applicant means an applicant for a Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) visa in one of the following streams within the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa:
(a) Post-Vocational Education Work stream; or
(b) Post-Higher Education Work stream.
5 Schedules
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.
Part 2—Specified English language requirements
6 Specified English language tests
For subparagraph 485.212(1)(a)(i) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the following English language tests are specified:
(a) Cambridge Advanced test (C1 Advanced);
(b) Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General);
(c) International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic);
(d) International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training);
(e) LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic);
(f) Michigan English Test (MET);
(g) Occupational English Test (OET);
(h) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic);
(i) Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT).
7 Specified required test scores to be achieved
For subparagraph 485.212(1)(a)(ii) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the required test scores to be achieved, in one of the English language tests, specified in section 6, unless the test was a C1 Advanced, are specified:
(a) in Schedule 1; or
(b) if the visa applicant is a Hong Kong passport holder or British National (Overseas) passport holder—in Schedule 2.
8 Specified period and requirements
For subparagraph 485.212(1)(a)(ii) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the following period and requirements are specified:
(a) the visa applicant achieved the required test score specified under section 7 within the period of 1 year before the day on which the applicant made the application for the relevant visa.
9 Specified passports in relation to which English language proficiency requirements do not apply
For paragraph 485.212(1)(b) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a valid passport issued by one of the following countries to a citizen of that country is specified:
(a) Canada;
(b) New Zealand;
(c) the Republic of Ireland;
(d) the United Kingdom;
(e) the United States of America.
10 Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument
(1) For the purposes of subparagraphs 485.212(1)(a)(i) and (ii) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the requirements under subsection (2) are specified:
(a) for a person who makes a valid application for a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa in either the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or the Post-Higher Education Work stream (the visa applicant) on or after the day this instrument commences; and
(b) where the visa application made by the visa applicant is accompanied by evidence that:
(i) the visa applicant has undertaken a language test specified in paragraph (2)(a) or (b); and
(ii) the visa applicant has achieved the required language test scores specified in paragraph (2)(a) or (b) for the relevant specified language test; and
(iii) the specified required language test score was:
(A) achieved within the period of 1 year immediately before the day on which the relevant visa application was made; and
(B) in a test that was undertaken before the day on which this instrument commences;
unless the specified language test was an OET, the specified required language test score was achieved in a single sitting.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the following language tests and required language test scores are specified:
(a) in Schedule 3; or
(b) if the visa applicant is a Hong Kong passport holder or British National (Overseas) passport holder—in Schedule 4.
Part 3—Application provisions
11 Application of this instrument
This instrument applies in relation to a visa application that is made on or after the commencement of this instrument.
Schedule 1–Specified English Language test scores
Required test scores
Item If the English language test is … the required test scores for that test are …
1 C1 Advanced (a) not accepted for the purpose of subparagraph 485.212(1)(a)(ii) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
2 CELPIP General 1. an overall score of at least 8; and
a score of at least 6 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 6 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 6 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 6 for the speaking English test component.
3 IELTS Academic 1. an average band score of at least 6.5; and
a score of at least 5.5 for each of the English test components.
4 IELTS General Training 1. an average band score of at least 6.5; and
a score of at least 5.5 for each of the English test components.
5 LANGUAGECERT Academic 1. an overall band score of at least 67; and
a score of at least 49 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 54 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 56 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 62 for the speaking English test component.
6 MET 1. an overall band score of at least 58; and
a score of at least 53 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 51 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 51 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 43 for the speaking English test component.
7 OET 1. an overall band score of at least 1310; and
a score of at least 260 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 280 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 260 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 310 for the speaking English test component.
8 PTE Academic 1. an overall band score of at least 55; and
a score of at least 40 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 42 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 41 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 39 for the speaking English test component.
9 TOEFL iBT 1. a total score of at least 81; and
a score of at least 12 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 12 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 14 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 17 for the speaking English test component.
Schedule 2–Required English language test scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders
Required test scores
Item If the English language test is … and the applicant is the holder of a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport, the required test scores for that test are …
1 C1 Advanced (a) not accepted for the purposes of subparagraph 485.212(1)(a)(ii) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
2 CELPIP General 1. an overall band score of at least 7; and
a score of at least 5 for each English test component.
3 IELTS Academic 1. an average band score of at least 6.0; and
a score of at least 5.0 for each English test component.
4 IELTS General Training 1. an average band score of at least 6.0; and
a score of at least 5.0 for each English test component.
5 LANGUAGECERT Academic 1. an overall band score of at least 61; and
a score of at least 41 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 44 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 45 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 54 for the speaking English test component.
6 MET 1. an overall band score of at least 53; and
a score of at least 49 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 47 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 45 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 38 for the speaking English test component.
7 OET 1. an overall band score of at least 1210: and
a score of at least 220 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 240 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 200 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 270 for the speaking English test component.
8 PTE Academic 1. an overall band score of at least 47; and
a score of at least 33 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 36 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 29 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 24 for the speaking English test component.
9 TOEFL iBT 1. an total band score of at least 67; and
a score of at least 8 for the listening English test component; and
a score of at least 8 for the reading English test component; and
a score of at least 9 for the writing English test component; and
a score of at least 14 for the speaking English test component.
Schedule 3–Specified Language test scores
Required test scores
Item If the language test is … the required language test scores for that test are …
1 the Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE) 1. an overall band score of at least 176; and
a score of at least 162 for each English test component of the CAE.
2 the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 1. an overall band score of at least 6.5; and
a score of at least 5.5 for each English test component of the IELTS.
3 the Occupational English Test (OET) (a) a score of at least B for each English test component of the OET.
4 the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 1. an overall band score of at least 57; and
for the listening English test component of the PTE—a score of at least 43; and
for the reading English test component of the PTE —a score of at least 48; and
for the writing English test component of the PTE —a score of at least 51; and
for the speaking English test component of the PTE —a score of at least 42.
5 the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) 1. a total overall score of at least 83; and
for the listening English test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 7; and
for the reading English test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 8; and
for the writing English test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 18 and
for the speaking English test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 16.
Schedule 4–Required language test scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders
Required test scores
Item If the language test is … and the applicant is the holder of a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport, the required language test scores for that test are …
1 the Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE) 1. an overall band score of at least 169; and
a score of at least 154 for each English test component of the CAE.
2 the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 1. an overall band score of at least 6; and
a score of at least 5 for each English test component of the IELTS.
3 the Occupational English Test (OET) (a) a score of at least B for each English test component of the OET.
4 the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) 1. an overall band score of at least 50; and
a score of at least 36 for each English test component of the PTE.
5 the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) 1. a total overall score of at least 64; and
for the listening and reading English test components of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 4; and
for the writing and speaking English test components of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 14.
Schedule 5—Repeals
Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument (LIN 24/021) 2024