The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has just made life easier for international students, skilled workers, and migrants aiming for Australia. As of August 7, 2025, the DHA has expanded the list of accepted English language tests from five to nine giving applicants more flexibility, choice, and accessibility when proving their English proficiency.

What’s New?

Previously, the list included only IELTS, Pearson, Cambridge, TOEFL, and OET. Now, three more tests have been added.

• LANGUAGECERT Academic – Known for its secure delivery and fast results.
• CELPIP General – Widely used in Canada’s immigration system, now also recognized in Australia.
• Michigan English Test (MET) – Popular in Latin America, offering a fresh option for test-takers from that region.

In total, there are now nine approved tests from eight different providers.

A Win for IELTS Takers: One Skill Retake

A major update for IELTS candidates is the acceptance of the IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR). This means if you only need to improve in one area Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking and now you can now retake just that part instead of sitting through the entire exam again. This is a big time and money saver.

Updated Score Requirements

Along with the new test options, the DHA has introduced revised score thresholds for tests taken on or after August 7, 2025.

Here’s a quick look at the Competent English benchmark for visa applications:

• IELTS: Score of 6 in each component
• CELPIP General: Score of 7 in each component
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: 57 (Listening), 60 (Reading), 64 (Writing), 70 (Speaking).

Why This Matters

With more test options, you can now:

• Pick the exam that best matches your strengths
• Save time + money with IELTS OSR
• Apply with more confidence, no matter where you’re from

These changes mark a modern shift in Australia’s visa process. With more tests accepted, applicants now have the freedom to choose the exam that best fits their strengths, location and goals. For many, this means less stress, more opportunity, and a smoother path toward studying, working, or migrating to Australia.

The DHA is set to release a detailed fact sheet soon, outlining all score requirements for each test and visa type.