20 April 2015: The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has announced that new English language test scores for Subclass 485, 476 and 457 visa applications have commenced.
Subclass 485 (Skilled Graduate) and Subclass 476 (Recognised Graduate) Visas
The following English language test scores are now acceptable for Subclass 485 and Subclass 476 Visas.
- IELTS: an overall score of at least 6, with nothing below 5 in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing)
- OET: a score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing)
- TOEFL iBT: a total score of at least 64, with nothing below 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking
- PTE Academic: an overall score of at least 50 with nothing below 36 in each of the four test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
- CAE: overall score of at least 169 with nothing below 154 in each of the four test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in a test taken on or after 1 January 2015.
Exemptions continue to apply for holders of a passport from United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland.
Subclass 457 Visa
Effective immediately, the English language testing requirements for subclass 457 visa have changed to the following:
- IELTS: an overall test score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the four test components
- an Occupational English Test (OET) score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components
- TOEFL iBT: total score of at least 36 with a score of at least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of writing and speaking
- PTE Academic: overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each of the four test components
- CAE: overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each of the four test components.
Even if you did not qualify in the past, you may qualify under the new requirements.
Book a consultation with our registered migration agents to see if you qualify and discuss the best visa strategy for you. Simply make an enquiry online and let us know your English Language Test score, occupation and current visa status. Please note we offer face-to-face consultations at our offices in Sydney CBD and Parramatta CBD only.
Please note this information is for general purposes only and we do not guarantee its accuracy.