If an applicant has an English test which was conducted on or after 7 August, the required test scores and relevant providers are those specified in the new instrument. 

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The table below shows the required test scores and relevant providers for a Sc 500 visa application, depending on whether the English was conducted:

• The English was conducted  before 7 August 2025  : (same as old instrument or Schedule 3 of new instrument)
• The English was conducted  after 7 August 2025: Instrument mới LIN 25/090.

Validity of English tests for a Sc 500 Student visa application

English evidence provided at time of application
The test must be no more than 24 months old on the day the visa application is lodged 24 months tính đến ngày nộp hồ sơ xin visa.

English evidence provided after lodgement 
The test must be no more than 24 months old on the day the Department makes its decision on the visa application.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The table below shows the required tests scores and relevant providers for a Sc 485 visa application depending on whether:

• The English was conducted before 7 August 2025  referred to as old
• The English was conducted after 7 August 2025referred to as new

The table below shows the required tests scores and relevant providers for a Sc 485 visa application for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holdersdepending on whether the English was conducted before 7 August (referred to as old), on or after 7 August 2025 (referred to as new).

Validity of English test for Sc 485 visa application 

• Evidence of English is provided at the time of application and the test is not more than 12 months old on the day the Sc 485 application is lodged.
• The required score has been achieved in a single sitting (unless it is an OET)

Validity of English test for Sc 485 visa application 

• Evidence of English is provided at the time of application
• The test is not more than 12 months old on the day the Sc 485 application is lodged.
• The required score has been achieved in a single sitting (unless it is an OET)

Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English language proficiency

The Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016) updated the test scores which are used to establish the vocational, competent, proficient and superior English language proficiency for an English test that is conducted after 7 August 2025.

This instrument applies to subclasses which refer to an English language proficiency and do not have a separate English language instrument.

For example:

• The instrument applies to a Sc 186 visa application which specifies competent English
• But does not apply to a Sc 482 as an English language proficiency is not specified

within Schedule 2 and a separate English language instrument applies.

The table below shows the required tests scores and relevant providers to meet a vocational, competent, proficient or superior English language proficiency depending on whether the English was conducted:

• The English was conducted before 7 August (referred to as old). 
• The English was conducted after 7 August 2025 (referred to as new). 

Validity of English tests relevant to LIN 25/016

• The English was conducted  before 7 August 2025  The English test must be taken no more than 36 months before the visa application is lodged.
• The English was conducted  after 7 August 2025The test must be taken no more than 36 months before the date of invitation or the date of visa lodgment depending on the applicable provision within regulations 1.15B, 1.15C, 1.15D or 1.15EA. 

Functional English

The Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/014) updated the test scores which are used to establish functional English language proficiency for an English language test that is conducted after 7 August 2025.

This instrument applies to visa subclasses and nominations which refer to a functional English language proficiency and do not have a separate English language instrument.

Members will need to the regulations relevant to the visa subclass or nomination they are applying for to determine whether the instrument applies to that visa subclass. 

The table below shows the required tests scores and relevant providers to meet a functional English language proficiency depending on whether the English was conducted :

• The English was conducted  before 7 August (same as old instrument or Part 2 (7) of the new instrument). 
• The English was conducted after 7 August 2025: new instrument LIN 25/014.

Validity of English tests relevant to LIN 25/014

The English language test must have been taken either:

• within 12 months immediately before the application date;or
• on or after the application date.