Changes to English Language Test Scores for Australia Migration – Effective 7 August 2025
By Dream Harbour Global – Your Trusted Australia Migration Agent in Qatar
Australia has announced important changes to English language test requirements for skilled migration, effective 7 August 2025. These changes impact accepted tests and the minimum score thresholds for points under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.
Whether you’re applying from Qatar or elsewhere, understanding these updates is crucial for a successful Australia PR journey.
What’s Changing?
Effective 7 August 2025:
New tests added to the list of accepted language exams:
- CELPIP General
- LanguageCert Academic
- Michigan English Test (MET)
TOEFL, OET & PTE score thresholds updated – some module scores are raised, others are reduced.
Old vs New Requirements – Effective 7 August 2025
| Competent Level | ||
| Test | Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 | Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 |
| IELTS | 6 for listening 6 for reading 6 for writing 6 for speaking | 6 for listening 6 for reading 6 for writing 6 for speaking |
| PTE Academic | 50 for listening 50 for reading 50 for writing 50 for speaking | 47 for listening 48 for reading 51 for writing 54 for speaking |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 for listening 13 for reading 21 for writing 21 for speaking | 16 for listening 16 for reading 19 for writing 19 for speaking |
| OET | B for listening B for reading B for writing B for speaking | 290 for listening 310 for reading 290 for writing 330 for speaking |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 for listening 169 for reading 169 for writing 169 for speaking | 163 for listening 163 for reading 170 for writing 179 for speaking |
| Proficient Level | ||
| IELTS | 7 for listening 7 for reading 7 for writing 7 for speaking | 7 for listening 7 for reading 7 for writing 7 for speaking |
| PTE Academic | 65 for listening 65 for reading 65 for writing 65 for speaking | 58 for listening 59 for reading 69 for writing 76 for speaking |
| TOEFL iBT | 24 for listening 24 for reading 27 for writing 23 for speaking | 22 for listening 22 for reading 26 for writing 24 for speaking |
| OET | B for listening B for reading B for writing B for speaking | 350 for listening 360 for reading 380 for writing 360 for speaking |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 185 for listening 185 for reading 185 for writing 185 for speaking | 175 for listening 179 for reading 193 for writing 194 for speaking |
| Superior Level | ||
| IELTS | 8 for listening 8 for reading 8 for writing 8 for speaking | 8 for listening 8 for reading 8 for writing 8 for speaking |
| PTE Academic | 79 for listening 79 for reading 79 for writing 79 for speaking | 69 for listening 70 for reading 85 for writing 88 for speaking |
| TOEFL iBT | 28 for listening 29 for reading 30 for writing 26 for speaking | 26 for listening 27 for reading 30 for writing 28 for speaking |
| OET | A for listening A for reading A for writing A for speaking | 390 for listening 400 for reading 420 for writing 400 for speaking |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 200 for listening 200 for reading 200 for writing 200 for speaking | 186 for listening 190 for reading 210 for writing 208 for speaking |
New English Test Options for Australian Migration
(Effective 7 August 2025)
| Level of English | Canadian English Langugage Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) |
| Vocational | 5 for listening 5 for reading 5 for writing 5 for speaking |
| Competent | 7 for listening 7 for reading 7 for writing 7 for speaking |
| Proficient | 9 for listening 8 for reading 10 for writing 8 for speaking |
| Superior | 10 for listening 10 for reading 12 for writing 10 for speaking |
| Level of English | Michigan English Test (MET) |
| Vocational | 49 for listening 47 for reading 45 for writing 38 for speaking |
| Competent | 56 for listening 55 for reading 57 for writing 48 for speaking |
| Proficient | 61 for listening 63 for reading 74 for writing 59 for speaking |
| Superior | N/A |
| Level of English | LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) |
| Vocational | 41 for listening 44 for reading 45 for writing 54 for speaking |
| Competent | 57 for listening 60 for reading 64 for writing 70 for speaking |
| Proficient | 67 for listening 71 for reading 78 for writing 82 for speaking |
| Superior | 80 for listening 83 for reading 89 for writing 89 for speaking |
Transition Rule:
If you took your English test before 7 August 2025, your result can still be used if:
- The test was taken on or before 6 August 2025, and
- It is within the 3-year validity period, and
- Meets the old score requirements (before the new law took effect).
That means:
- A PTE score of 65+ (before Aug 7) still qualifies you for Proficient English (10 points).
- A PTE score of 79+ (before Aug 7) still qualifies you for Superior English (20 points).
What This Means for You
If you took the test before 7 August 2025:
- You can still use your result if it’s within 3 years and meets the old score requirement.
- This means your current points for Proficient or Superior English are still valid.
If you’re taking the test on or after 7 August 2025:
- You need to meet the new score thresholds listed above.
- Scores are now adjusted by skill, meaning you need to score differently in each module (L/R/W/S).
Our Expert Insight
These changes seem fairer—listening and reading requirements for PTE are now slightly easier, while speaking and writing demand higher scores, especially for Proficient and Superior levels.
For example, under the new rules:
- Proficient Listening: dropped from 65 to 58
- Proficient Speaking: increased from 65 to 76
This shift emphasizes real communication skills, aligning better with actual English use in Australia.
How Dream Harbour Global Can Help
If you’re looking for an Australia migration agent in Qatar, look no further. We offer:
Free Eligibility Check Free First Consultation Test Score Guidance Complete Documentation & PR Application Support
We’ll help you understand where you stand and how to move forward based on your current test scores.
Source: Australian Government
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