English Language Requirement Updates for Visa Applicants: What Changes from 7 August 2025

If you’re planning to apply for an Australian visa, staying informed about English language requirements is crucial. Two new legislative instruments will take effect from 7 August 2025, updating the criteria for proving English proficiency across various visa subclasses.

These changes impact both general visa applicants and those applying for Subclass 500 (Student) visas. Here’s everything you need to know about the Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 and the Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025.

What Is Changing?

The Australian Government has introduced two key instruments:

1. Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/014)
   Applies to applicants who must demonstrate “functional English” under the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994.
2. Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/090)
   Outlines accepted tests, score thresholds, and exemptions for Subclass 500 student visa applicants.

Both instruments come into effect from 7 August 2025.

Functional English Requirements – General Visa Applicants

Under the new LIN 25/014 instrument, visa applicants can demonstrate functional English through various methods.

How to Prove Functional English

Educational Background: Completion of certain years of primary or secondary education in English.

Accepted English Tests: Providing test results from one of the following:

1. IELTS
2. TOEFL iBT
3. PTE Academic
4. OET
5. MET
6. CELPIP General
7. LanguageCert Academic

Exempt Nationalities: Applicants holding a valid passport from:

1. United Kingdom
2. United States
3. Canada
4. Ireland
5. New Zealand

Transitional Provision

Test scores obtained between 5 August 2024 and 6 August 2025 under the previous instrument (IMMI 15/004) will still be accepted.

This change modernises the list of accepted providers and ensures alignment with current testing standards.

English Language Requirements for Subclass 500 (Student) Visa Applicants

The LIN 25/090 instrument outlines updates for Student visa (Subclass 500) applicants.

Approved Tests

Applicants must sit one of the following nine approved English language tests:

1. IELTS Academic
2. IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)
3. TOEFL iBT
4. TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
5. PTE Academic
6. PTE Academic Online
7. CELPIP General
8. OET
9. LanguageCert Academic

Lower Scores for Pathway Students

Applicants undertaking recognised pathway programs (like ELICOS or foundation courses) may qualify with lower English test scores.

Validity of Test Results

Test scores must be obtained within 2 years before lodging the visa application.

Who Is Exempt from English Language Testing?

Applicants may be exempt from English testing if they:

1. Hold citizenship from designated English-speaking countries.
2. Completed a required number of years of study in English.
3. Hold a qualification where English was the medium of instruction.

These exemptions apply under both instruments, allowing flexibility for eligible applicants.

Consultation and Policy Background

These instruments were created in consultation with stakeholders, including:

1. English Australia (EVCC)
2. AHPRA
3. Law Council of Australia (LCA)
4. Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)

The updates reflect outcomes from the Department of Home Affairs’ 2022 Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) and agreements with test providers.

Who Is Affected?

1. All applicants lodging a visa application on or after 7 August 2025 who are required to demonstrate functional English.
2. All Subclass 500 Student visa applicants (unless exempt).

Make sure your test scores or exemptions are valid and up-to-date if applying after this date.

Need Help Understanding Your English Language Requirements?

If you’re applying for a partner visa, student visa, or another visa subclass, navigating the latest English language requirements is key to avoiding delays or refusals.

Contact the experts at Emigrate Lawyers for up-to-date, practical legal advice. Our immigration lawyers can guide you through eligibility, testing, and exemption criteria, and help you submit a decision-ready application.

Source:

Migration-Evidence-of-Functional-English-Language-Proficiency-Instrument-2025.pdf
Migration-Evidence-of-Functional-English-Language-Proficiency-Instrument-2025-Explanatory-Statement.pdf
Migration-English-Language-Tests-and-Evidence-Exemptions-for-Subclass-500-Student-Visas.pdf
Migration-English-Language-Tests-and-Evidence-Exemptions-for-Subclass-500-Student-Visas-explanatory-statement.pdf