Visa Australia

Australia English Language Visa Rules Updated: Key Date August 7, 2025

17 September 2026 Matthias Kurth

What this means for you

Individuals planning to relocate to Australia must now be aware of specific English language test requirements and potential exemptions. It is crucial to check the relevant test dates and acceptable passport types for visa applications.

Now Australia has specific English language test requirements for visa applications, including different score bands and acceptable tests depending on whether the test was taken before or after August 7, 2025. Citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Republic of Ireland with valid passports are exempt, but British National (Overseas) passports are not accepted as proof of English.

Australia’s specific English language test requirements for visa applications have been updated. The new information details different score bands and acceptable tests, with distinctions made based on whether the test was taken before or after August 7, 2025.

Citizens holding valid passports from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland are exempt from these requirements. However, British National (Overseas) passports are not accepted as proof of English language proficiency for this exemption.

Source migration.wa.gov.au ↗