485 Visa – English Requirements for Temporary Graduate Visa
English skills is one of the most critical requirements that needs to be fulfilled in regards to applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). There are many types of English tests, such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc, that you can take to assess your English language level. You may contact the official website of each English test to arrange the test time. If you don’t meet this eligibility, you won’t be able to apply for the visa.
Changes on 485 Visa English Requirement Efective on 7 August 2025
The Australian Government added three new English tests that are accepted for fulfilling the 485 Visa English requirements. These new English tests are Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General), LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic), and the Michigan English Test (MET). Meanwhile, the Cambridge C1 Advanced Test is no longer considered an acceptable English test for the 485 Visa English requirement.
In addition, there are slight changes on the minimum scores required for each English test. You can find the details of the new minimum scores and English types in the table below.
Note that these changes apply to all 485 Visa streams, those submitted on and after 7 August 2025. Also, note that the English test should be taken within 1 year before the application submitted.
485 Visa English Requirements
As of 7 August 2025, the following English tests are accepted for fulfilling the 485 Visa English requirements:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General);
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic);
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training);
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic);
- Michigan English Test (MET);
- Occupational English Test (OET);
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic);
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT).
And please refer to the table below to see the new English requirement for 485 Visa, applicable to applications submitted on and after 7 August 2025:
| English Test | Minimum for Overall Score | Total Overall Score | English Components | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |||
| Cambridge Advanced Test | Not accepted for fulfilling 485 Visa English requirements | |||||
| CELPIP General | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
| IELTS Academic & General | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 | 49 | 54 | 56 | 62 | |
| MET | 58 | 53 | 51 | 51 | 43 | |
| OET | 1310 | 260 | 280 | 260 | 310 | |
| PTE Academic | 55 | 40 | 42 | 41 | 39 | |
| TOEFL iBT | 81 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 17 | |
485 Visa English Requirements for British National and Hong Kong Passport Holders
The English requirements for 485 Visa also changed for the British National or Hong Kong passport holders. Here’s the new English tests and minimum scores required for applications submitted on and after 7 August 2025:
| English Test | Minimum for Overall Score | Total Overall Score | English Components | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |||
| Cambridge Advanced Test | Not accepted for fulfilling the English requirements for 485 Visa | |||||
| CELPIP General | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| IELTS Academic & General Training | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 61 | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 | |
| MET | 53 | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 | |
| OET | 1210 | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 | |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 | |
| TOEFL iBT | 67 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 | |
Frequently Asked Questions For Subclass 485 Visa
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your subclass 485 visa questions!
- What is the difference between the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream and Post Higher Education Work Stream of the 485 visa Australia?
- The difference is in the qualification requirement.
- The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is eligible for applicants who have just finished their diploma or advanced diploma course.
- Meanwhile, the Post Higher Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is for applicants who have finished their bachelor, master, or PhD degree.
- Is it mandatory to have a skill assessment when applying for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream?
- Yes, it is. You need to have a positive outcome of skill assessment in order to be granted the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of 485 visa Australia.
- If I am not meeting the criteria for IELTS requirement, what should I do?
- There are few options to be able to show your English capability. Apart from IELTS, you can try TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET, or any tests mentioned above.
- I am holding an OSHC for my student visa. Can I use it for a subclass 485 visa Australia application?
- Unfortunately, you can’t. It’s okay to have OSHC at the time of your 485 Visa application, but you will need a Working Visa cover to be approved a 485 Visa.
- What if my visa got refused? Can I appeal?
- You must check he refusal letter given by the Department. If a review right is given, then you can lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe.
- Should I apply for the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia onshore or offshore?
- You must be in Australia when applying for the 485 Visa. You can be onshore or offshore at the time of receiving the decision of your 485 Visa application.
- Can I include my family members?
- Yes, you can include family members in your 485 visa Australia application when you apply. Family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.
- Is there any time limit to apply for a temporary graduate visa 485 Australia?
- Yes, you must apply within 6 months of completion of your Australian studies.
- You must either hold a student visa when you apply, or to have held a student visa within the last 6 months.
- You must also make sure that you apply prior to expiry of your student visa.
- Will I get the bridging visa after I apply the visa onshore?
- If you apply for the onshore temporary graduate visa 485 Australia, before your student visa ceases, you will be granted the Bridging Visa A.
- This BVA will be your valid visa while waiting for the decision of the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia. Usually, this BVA will allow you to work in Australia.
Obtaining 485 Visa in Simple Four Steps
Step One : Check your eligibility for the visa
Make sure you check your eligibility to see if you meet all the criteria and requirements for a Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa. The requirements depend on each visa stream.
Step Two: Skills Assessment – for Post-Vocational Education Work stream
You must obtain a positive Skills Assessment from the relevant Skills Assessing Authority for your nominated occupation. This is required for Post-Vocational Education Work stream only.
You can check the relevant Skills Assessing Authority here.
Step Three: Submit 485 Visa Application
After ensuring the requirements for Visa 485 Australia, you can then gather all the required and additional documents to complete and support your application.
You can apply online through your IMMI account.
Step Four: Visa Outcome
If successful, you can stay temporarily in Australia, depending on which stream you’ve applied for. If you get refused, the DHA will inform you in writing.
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“I thank Ibu Indah, Ibu Vira, and the ONEderland Consulting team for assisting with my Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). I received my Visa less than two weeks after my health assessment. They helped me thoroughly prepare my documents, communicated with the department, answered my inquiries and gave me clear advice. I highly recommend the ONEderland consulting service for Australian visa applications.”
Reynald Kusumahadi
Temporary Graduate Visa
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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