Planning to study in Australia in 2025? Then, you’re likely looking into the Subclass 500 Student Visa. The English test requirement is one of the most important eligibility criteria.
Updated English Requirements for the Subclass 500 Visa in 2025
The Australian Government has tightened the English proficiency standards for student visa applicants to ensure that international students can fully participate in their academic environment. As of 2025, students applying for a Subclass 500 visa must meet higher minimum scores in an approved English language test.
You can choose from the following accepted English language tests for the Subclass 500 Student Visa:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System):
- Overall band score of 5.5; or
- 5.0 if packaged with a minimum of 10 weeks’ ELICOS; or
- 4.5 if packaged with a minimum of 20 weeks ELICOS
- TOEFL (internet-based TOEFL {Test of English as a Foreign Language]):
- Score of 46; or
- 35 if packaged with a minimum of 10 weeks’ ELICOS; or
- 32 if packaged with a minimum of 20 weeks ELICOS
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE):
- Score of 162; or
- 154 if packaged with a minimum of 10 weeks’ ELICOS; or
- 147 if packaged with a minimum of 20 weeks ELICOS
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic):
- Score of 42; or
- 36 if packaged with a minimum of 10 weeks’ ELICOS; or
- 30 if packaged with a minimum of 20 weeks ELICOS
- OET (Occupational English Test – for healthcare professionals):
A minimum ‘B’ grade in each test component
It’s important to note that your test results must be no more than two years old at the time of your visa application.
Are You Exempt From Providing an English Test?
Some applicants may be exempt from the English test requirement. You do not need to submit test results if you’re a citizen of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland. You may also be exempt if you’ve completed at least five years of full-time study in English in one of the above countries. Additionally, students enrolled in certain English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students programs may not need to meet the standard test score right away, depending on the duration and structure of their package.
At Oracle Immigration, we help students prepare strong visa applications by guiding them through the updated Subclass 500 requirements, including English proficiency, GTE, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the minimum IELTS score for a Subclass 500 student visa in 2025?
For a Subclass 500 visa 2025, you need a minimum overall IELTS of 5.5 bands.
Q2: Can I apply for the 500 visa without an English test?
You may be exempt if you’re from an English-speaking country like the USA or UK or have studied English for at least five years in certain countries.
Q3: Is PTE accepted for an Australian student visa?
Yes, PTE Academic is accepted. You’ll need an overall score of 50, with no section below 42, to meet the visa requirements.
Q4: How long are English test results valid for visa application?
Results are valid for 2 years from the test date at the time of applying for the visa.
Disclaimer: The above information is not tailored to personal circumstances.
For information relevant to personal circumstances, please book an
appointment with Oracle Immigration Consultant’s expert migration agents in
Australia.
For any inquiries, please contact us at +61 430812158. We are premier Immigration agency and consultancy in Melbourne (Bundoora and Geelong).
