Australian Immigration Daily News

This legislative instrument, referenced as LIN 25/016, is issued under various provisions of the Migration Regulations 1994. It replaces the earlier instrument IMMI 15/005 and commences on 7 August 2025. The instrument specifies the English language proficiency requirements for visa applicants across four categories: vocational, competent, proficient, and superior English.

The instrument:

• Specifies approved English language tests and required minimum scores for each proficiency level.

• Recognises valid passports from designated countries as alternative evidence of English proficiency for certain levels.

• Updates the tests and providers in line with new Deeds of Agreement following a Departmental Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) process that began in July 2022.

• Includes new and existing English language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic, and MET.

• Provides transitional provisions for visa applicants who sat qualifying tests within 36 months prior to 7 August 2025.

• Applies to all relevant visa applications made on or after the instrument’s commencement date.

Consultation was undertaken with industry stakeholders including EVCC, AHPRA, the Law Council of Australia, and the Migration Institute of Australia. The instrument is exempt from disallowance under section 42 of the Legislation Act 2003.

Source: Migration-Specification-of-Language-Tests-Test-Scores-and-Passports-Instrument-2025.pdf and Migration-Specification-of-Language-Tests-Test-Scores-and-Passports-Instrument-2025-explanatory-statement.pdf