After an extensive review process, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has finalised the new list of approved English language tests for Australian visa applications, confirming nine tests from eight providers are now recognised.
The updated list includes existing tests from IELTS, Pearson, Cambridge, TOEFL, and OET — with IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training now registered separately — alongside three newly approved tests: LANGUAGECERT Academic, CELPIP General, and the Michigan English Test (MET).
The legislative instrument underpinning these changes took effect on 7 August 2025. Importantly, DHA has confirmed that visa applicants who sat one of the previously approved five tests before 6 August 2025 will still have their results accepted under the old score requirements. Those who sat the test on or before the 6th of August will still be recognised against the previous requirements. Those who sat the test on or after the 7th of August will need to meet the new score benchmarks.
Some score thresholds have been adjusted following concordance studies, and DHA has indicated a fact sheet will be released shortly to clarify the changes.
A number of tests have provided statements, a summary of which the Koala could find are:
LANGUAGECERT Academic Joins the List
In another significant development, LANGUAGECERT has confirmed that the LANGUAGECERT Academic English test is now officially accepted by the DHA for all visa categories requiring proof of English proficiency.
“We are thrilled to have achieved this milestone, as it reinforces the quality and reliability of LANGUAGECERT Academic in meeting the high standards set by Australian immigration authorities,” said Fraser Cargill, Regional Director at LANGUAGECERT.
Byron Nicolaides, CEO of PeopleCert — LANGUAGECERT’s parent company — described the approval as “a testament to the exceptional standards we uphold,” noting that LANGUAGECERT is also officially recognised by the UK Home Office, Ireland’s Department of Justice, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and the Netherlands National Committee.
LANGUAGECERT says its Academic test offers a secure, candidate-first experience with cutting-edge security measures, delivering fast, reliable results to help students, skilled workers, and migrants meet visa language requirements with confidence.
Cambridge Celebrates Continued Recognition
Five of the nine approved tests are backed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which welcomed the decision. The three-year Deed of Agreement allows candidates who sit IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, Cambridge C1 Advanced (paper-based), OET, or MET to use their results for migration purposes.
Francesca Woodward, Managing Director for English at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said the recognition was the result of a “comprehensive and thorough review” by the Australian Government.
“IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET and MET are all high-quality, secure tests… ideal for helping people prove they have the real-life communication skills needed for a positive experience of studying, working, and living in Australia,” Ms Woodward said.
IELTS is jointly owned by Cambridge, the British Council and IDP IELTS; OET is owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment, a venture between Cambridge English (Aus) and Box Hill Institute; MET is jointly owned by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and the University of Michigan.
IELTS Secures New Three-Year Agreement
The IELTS partners – British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge University Press & Assessment – have also announced the signing of a new three-year Deed of Agreement with the DHA, reaffirming IELTS as an approved English language test for visa and migration purposes.
The agreement ensures test takers worldwide can continue to rely on IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training as trusted measures of English ability when seeking to live, work, or study in Australia.
Pamela Baxter, Managing Director for IELTS at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said:
“I’m proud of IELTS’ role in helping people achieve their potential… Test-takers who choose IELTS can be confident that we are helping them not only to succeed, but to thrive.”
Andrew Mackenzie, Head of IELTS at the British Council, highlighted IELTS’ role in connecting people globally, while Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer at IDP Education, said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to “integrity, quality and fairness” in testing.
The new agreement also reaffirms the acceptance of the IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) for most visa subclasses, providing test takers with greater flexibility.
Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, today announced the Australian Government has re-approved the Pearson Test of English (PTE) for all Australian visas.
This is the first new agreement for English Language testing since the Department of Home Affairs recognised the PTE for all Australian visas in 2014.
Pearson President of English Language Learning, Sharon Hague, said: “For over a decade, Pearson has provided a secure, trusted, and fair test of English to millions of individuals aspiring to work or study in Australia.
“We are grateful to the Australian government for again placing their trust in us to support their migration system, alongside the support from all 40 universities and professional bodies such as Engineering Australia and CPA Australia.”
MET Gains Australian Approval
The DHA has now officially accepted Michigan English Test (MET) scores as proof of English proficiency for Australian visa purposes, effective for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Already widely trusted in the Americas, MET’s recognition by Australia affirms its validity, reliability, and security as a high-stakes English assessment for migration, work, and study.
Sharon Harvey, CEO of Michigan Language Assessment, said “This recognition is a clear acknowledgment of the validity and reliability of MET, and of its value in assessing and certifying English language skills.”
The approval follows a rigorous validation process, including a full technical review and a concordance study comparing MET to IELTS Academic. Mika Hoffman, Director of Assessment, said this confirmed MET’s secure design, psychometric integrity, and alignment with Australia’s migration standards.
Launched in 2009 and expanded to a secure digital format in 2021, MET is recognised globally by government agencies, U.S. nursing boards, universities, and employers. It is jointly owned by the University of Michigan and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
CELPIP General Now Accepted for Australian Visas
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) has also joined the list of approved tests, with the DHA designating CELPIP General as valid proof of English language proficiency for visa and migration purposes.
Well established as the official English test for the Government of Canada, CELPIP will now offer Australian visa applicants the same trusted assessment standards.
CELPIP provides a wealth of free preparation resources, including over 10 hours of webinars, online courses, practice tests, and a range of study materials. With new testing locations now available in Australia, candidates can book a convenient session and prepare using official resources to ensure they meet the required score.
This expansion gives test takers yet another pathway to demonstrate their English ability, providing greater choice and flexibility for those seeking to study, work, or live in Australia.
The Koala congratulates the tests and their respective organisations that are now approved or have been re approved.
The Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025 can be seen here.
Updated 6.30pm 11/8/25 to include a statement from Pearsons.
