Subclass 485 F2025L00907

English language requirements for the subclass 485 visa: LIN 25/089

LIN 25/089 specifies the English tests, minimum scores, 1-year test window and exempt passports for the Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams of the subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa under clause 485.212.

No Worries Migration · checked against the Federal Register on 2 October 2026

English language requirements for the subclass 485 visa: LIN 25/089

The Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 was signed on 5 August 2025 by the Assistant Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite, under clause 485.212 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994. It commenced on 7 August 2025 (section 2) and repealed the 2024 instrument, LIN 24/021 (Schedule 5). The current text is Compilation No. 0, the instrument as made.

The explanatory statement describes its purpose as specifying the English language proficiency requirements an applicant may be required to meet to satisfy clause 485.212 in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or the Post-Higher Education Work stream. It updates the tests and scores following the Department’s Request for Expression of Interest process that commenced in July 2022, giving effect to new Deeds of Agreement with the test providers.

Who it applies to

Section 4 defines a visa applicant as an applicant in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or the Post-Higher Education Work stream of the subclass 485 visa. The explanatory statement records that subclause 485.212(2) does not apply the English requirement to an applicant who meets clause 485.232, 485.233, 485.234 or 485.235, or who nominated the Replacement stream.

Under section 9, a citizen holding a valid passport issued by Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America meets paragraph 485.212(1)(b) without a test.

Approved tests and minimum scores

Section 6 specifies nine tests: C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. Under section 7 the scores are in Schedule 1, or in Schedule 2 for a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holder. Item 1 of each Schedule states that C1 Advanced is not accepted for the score requirement. Section 8 requires the score to have been achieved within 1 year before the day the visa application was made.

Schedule 1 – required test scores (L = listening, R = reading, W = writing, S = speaking)
Test	Overall, average or total score	Minimum in each component
CELPIP General	8	L 6, R 6, W 6, S 6
IELTS Academic	6.5 (average)	5.5 in each
IELTS General Training	6.5 (average)	5.5 in each
LANGUAGECERT Academic	67	L 49, R 54, W 56, S 62
MET	58	L 53, R 51, W 51, S 43
OET	1310	L 260, R 280, W 260, S 310
PTE Academic	55	L 40, R 42, W 41, S 39
TOEFL iBT	81 (total)	L 12, R 12, W 14, S 17
C1 Advanced	Not accepted	Not accepted

Schedule 2 – required test scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders
Test	Overall, average or total score	Minimum in each component
CELPIP General	7	5 in each
IELTS Academic	6.0 (average)	5.0 in each
IELTS General Training	6.0 (average)	5.0 in each
LANGUAGECERT Academic	61	L 41, R 44, W 45, S 54
MET	53	L 49, R 47, W 45, S 38
OET	1210	L 220, R 240, W 200, S 270
PTE Academic	47	L 33, R 36, W 29, S 24
TOEFL iBT	67 (total)	L 8, R 8, W 9, S 14
C1 Advanced	Not accepted	Not accepted

Tests taken before 7 August 2025

Section 10 keeps five older tests available for an application made on or after 7 August 2025 where the test was undertaken before that day, the score was achieved within 1 year immediately before the application, and, unless the test was an OET, the score was achieved in a single sitting. Schedule 3 sets the general scores and Schedule 4 the scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.

Schedules 3 and 4 – tests undertaken before 7 August 2025 (section 10)
Test	Schedule 3	Schedule 4 (Hong Kong or BN(O) passport)
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)	Overall 176; 162 in each	Overall 169; 154 in each
IELTS	Overall 6.5; 5.5 in each	Overall 6; 5 in each
OET	B in each	B in each
PTE Academic	Overall 57; L 43, R 48, W 51, S 42	Overall 50; 36 in each
TOEFL iBT	Total 83; L 7, R 8, W 18, S 16	Total 64; L and R 4, W and S 14

Which applications it applies to

Section 11 applies the instrument to a visa application made on or after its commencement on 7 August 2025.

Questions and answers

What IELTS score is needed for a subclass 485 visa?

Under Schedule 1 of LIN 25/089, an average band score of at least 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component, in IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. For a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holder, Schedule 2 sets an average of at least 6.0 with at least 5.0 in each component. Section 8 requires the score to be achieved within 1 year before the application.

What PTE score is needed for a subclass 485 visa?

Schedule 1 sets an overall score of at least 55, with at least 40 in listening, 42 in reading, 41 in writing and 39 in speaking. Schedule 2 sets an overall 47 with 33, 36, 29 and 24 for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.

Is the C1 Advanced test accepted for a subclass 485 visa?

Section 6 lists it, but item 1 of Schedules 1 and 2 states it is not accepted for the score requirement in subparagraph 485.212(1)(a)(ii). A Cambridge English: Advanced test undertaken before 7 August 2025 can be used under section 10 and Schedules 3 and 4.

Which passports meet the English requirement for a subclass 485 visa?

Section 9 specifies a valid passport issued to a citizen by Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.

Sources

Instruments are amended and replaced. The version that applies to an application is usually the one in force on a particular date, which may not be the current one.

Full guide: Subclass 485

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