English test score conversion for Australian visas: the official equivalence table

How to read the table

• Order. Each cell lists four minimums in the order listening/reading/writing/speaking. "7/7/7/7" means at least 7 in every skill.
• No averaging. LIN 25/016 sets each number as the minimum for that test component, so one skill under the line means the level isn't met, whatever the other three are.
• Functional English is different. LIN 25/014 sets one overall, average or total score per test, not one per skill.
• 'Not accepted'. C1 Advanced can't be used for vocational English, and MET can't be used for superior English (notes to sections 6(3) and 9(3) of LIN 25/016). C1 Advanced isn't on the functional English list at all.
• Both IELTS versions. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training have separate columns in the instrument but identical numbers.
• TOEFL registration. Home Affairs says TOEFL iBT candidates must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' when registering.

Where each level is used

1. Functional English: adults in many skilled, employer and business applications (without it, they pay a second instalment of the visa charge), and the 407 Training and 462 Work and Holiday visas.
2. Vocational English: 5 points on the business innovation points test (Schedule 7A). The 482 visa uses the same numbers for the seven tests it lists, through its own instrument, LIN 25/082.
3. Competent English: the minimum for the 189, 190 and 491 at invitation and for the 186 and 494 when you apply. No points.
4. Proficient English: 10 points on the skilled points test (Schedule 6D, item 6D22).
5. Superior English: 20 points (item 6D21).

The 485 and 500 don't use these levels; each has its own table, below.

Visa-specific tables: 485 and 500

485 Temporary Graduate (LIN 25/089, most applicants)

• IELTS: 6.5 average, at least 5.5 in each skill
• PTE Academic: 55 overall; 40/42/41/39
• TOEFL iBT: 81 total; 12/12/14/17
• OET: 1310 overall; 260/280/260/310
• CELPIP General: 8 overall; 6 in each skill
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: 67 overall; 49/54/56/62
• MET: 58 overall; 53/51/51/43
• C1 Advanced: not accepted

500 Student (LIN 25/090, standard score)

• IELTS 6.0, PTE Academic 47, TOEFL iBT 67, OET 1210, CELPIP General 7, LANGUAGECERT Academic 61, MET 53, C1 Advanced 161, all overall scores.

Lower student scores apply with 10 or 20 weeks of ELICOS. Those, and the 485 table for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders, are on the English requirements by visa subclass page.

Tests taken before 7 August 2025: the old table

Section 10 of LIN 25/016 keeps the previous table for tests taken before 7 August 2025, if the test was taken in the 36 months before you lodge. Only five tests were on that list:

• IELTS: vocational 5, competent 6, proficient 7, superior 8 in each skill (unchanged)
• PTE Academic: 36, 50, 65 and 79 in each skill
• TOEFL iBT: vocational 4/4/14/14, competent 12/13/21/18, proficient 24/24/27/23, superior 28/29/30/26
• OET: grade B in each skill for vocational, competent and proficient; grade A for superior
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 154, 169, 185 and 200 in each skill

The old functional English scores were IELTS 4.5 average, TOEFL iBT 32 total, PTE Academic 30 overall and CAE 147 overall, but those results had to be within 12 months of applying, and Home Affairs says they could be used only until 6 August 2026. For the other levels, Home Affairs gives 6 August 2028 as the last day an old-table result can be used, depending on the visa.

One discrepancy: for TOEFL iBT competent English, the instrument prints 18 for speaking, while Home Affairs' competent English web page shows 21. The instrument is the law.

Same name, different numbers: PTE Academic

Home Affairs flags this on its own tables: "PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different." A PTE result has to be read against the table for its test date. Under the current table the four lines aren't level: at proficient, PTE asks for 58 in listening and 59 in reading but 69 in writing and 76 in speaking.

OET: numbers instead of letters

OET results were graded A to E before 7 August 2025 and are numbers from that date. Home Affairs notes that "OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports". Where an overall score is needed (functional English, the 485 and the 500), it says to contact OET for it.

Using the table with your own result

1. Find your test date and the table that applies to it.
2. Start from your weakest skill. Find the highest level where that skill still meets the line, then check the other three skills against the same level.
3. Check the time window for your visa: 3 years for these levels (counted back from the invitation for the 189, 190 and 491), 1 year for the 485, 2 years for the 500, 12 months for functional English.
4. Check the visa's own rule on the English requirements by visa subclass page, because the 482, 485 and 500 use separate tables.

What is IELTS 7 in PTE for Australian visas?

Proficient English is IELTS 7 in each skill or PTE Academic 58 listening, 59 reading, 69 writing and 76 speaking, for PTE tests taken from 7 August 2025. For older PTE tests it was 65 in each skill.

What TOEFL score equals IELTS 6 for a visa?

Competent English on TOEFL iBT is 16 listening, 16 reading, 19 writing and 19 speaking for tests from 7 August 2025, registered as 'Taking TOEFL for Australia'.

What OET score is competent English?

290 listening, 310 reading, 290 writing and 330 speaking for tests from 7 August 2025. For older tests it was grade B in each skill.

Can I use the Michigan English Test for superior English?

No. LIN 25/016 excludes MET from superior English. It can be used for functional, vocational, competent and proficient English.

Is C1 Advanced accepted for every visa?

No. It counts for competent, proficient and superior English and for the standard student visa score (161 overall), but not for vocational or functional English, the 482, the 485 or the reduced ELICOS student scores.

Do the 485 and 500 use these English levels?

No. Each has its own instrument with overall scores (and, for the 485, per-skill minimums), listed above.