Administrator
Are you Planning to apply for a subclass 500 visa? Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest changes. Effective from March 23, 2024 onwards. The Department of Home Affairs has implemented significant alterations to the English language requirements for these visas.
What’s Changed?
As part of tightening up visa intake, the minimum English proficiency scores have been elevated to:
- IELTS: Overall 6.0
- PTE: Overall 50
- OET: B in each module
- TOEFL: Overall 64
- CAE: Overall 169
It’s crucial to note that your English test should not be older than 2 years.
English Study before Higher Education in Australia
Even if you’ve studied English before pursuing higher education in Australia, you still need to provide a test. However, lower scores are accepted if you’ve completed:
| Visa Type | Previous IELTS Requirement | New IELTS Requirement | ELICOS Course Requirement | Foundation/Pathway Programs Requirement |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | IELTS 5.5 | IELTS 6.0 | From IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 | IELTS 5.5 |
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | IELTS 6.0 (with min. 5.0 per component) | IELTS 6.5 (with min. 5.5 per component) | N/A | N/A |
| 10 weeks of ELICOS/Foundation Year | 20 weeks of ELICOS study | New Scores | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall 5.5 | Overall 5.0 | Overall 6.0 |
| PTE | Overall 42 | Overall 36 | Overall 50 |
| OET | B in each module | B in each module | B in each module |
| TOEFL | Overall 46 | Overall 34 | Overall 64 |
| CAE | Overall 162 | Overall 154 | Overall 169 |
Exemptions to English Requirement
Several exemptions apply to the English test requirement. You’re exempt if you hold a passport from:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
For these passport holders, evidence of your passport suffices in place of an English test.
You’re also exempt if enrolled in specific courses:
- Study in a language other than English
- ELICOS course
- Registered school course (primary or secondary)
- Registered postgraduate research course
Moreover, exemptions extend to individuals who are:
- Foreign affairs, defence, or secondary exchange students
- Have completed high school in Australia while studying English in the 2 years preceding the application
- Completed most of their Certificate level IV or above study in English in Australia on a student visa
- Have completed at least 5 years of study in English in specific countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
Already Lodged Your Application?
If you submitted your visa application before March 23, 2024, no action is required as the changes were implemented afterwards. However, if you lodged your visa after this date and your English score was inadequate, you may still be able to provide the required English scores post-lodgment. If you don’t meet any of the exemptions, seek urgent advice from your immigration lawyer or ask the community any questions.
