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English Requirements For Subclass 485 Visa
The Temporary Graduate visa Subclass 485, commonly referred to as the graduate visa 485, is designed for international students who have recently completed their studies in Australia. This visa allows graduates to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily, providing a crucial pathway to gain professional experience and transition to permanent residency.
Understanding the 485 visa requirements is essential for a smooth application process.
Also Read: How to Meet the 485 Visa PTE Requirement and Secure Your 485 Visa?
There are two major streams of the 485 visa Australia: the Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream. The Post-Study Work Stream applies to graduates who have graduated with higher education qualifications and may therefore remain in Australia for between two to four years. Graduate Work Stream, on the other hand, focuses on graduates whose skills and qualifications are included in the skilled occupation list in Australia and who generally receive a visa period of 18 months.
When applying, applicants will be required to meet the 485 visa Australian study requirement. Beyond the academic requirements for the 485 Australian visa, proving English proficiency is a key part of the visa assessment process.
Recently, the Australian Government announced significant changes to the minimum score requirements in English. These changes to the 485 visa have come into effect on August 7, 2025. If you are considering applying for a 485 visa, you will need to know about these changes to plan and avoid your 485 visa application being delayed.
Also Read: 485 Visa Requirements You Must Know Before Applying
The 485 visa English requirements are meant to ensure that the applicants are able to communicate well in work, education, and daily life situations. To fulfil this requirement, the Department of Home Affairs accepts some tests:
| Test Sub-skill | IELTS | CAE / C1 Advanced | PTE Academic | OET | TOEFL iBT |
| Overall | 6.5 | 176 | 57 | B | 83 |
| Listening | 5.5 | 162 | 43 | B | 7 |
| Reading | 5.5 | 162 | 48 | B | 8 |
| Writing | 5.5 | 162 | 51 | B | 18 |
| Speaking | 5.5 | 162 | 42 | B | 16 |
Meeting the 485 visa language requirements is mandatory. Failure to provide acceptable English test results can result in visa refusal, making it crucial for applicants to carefully plan their language test strategy. In the case of the IELTS test, the Australian Government currently takes into consideration the test results, including One Skill Retake (OSR), for a Temporary Graduate visa.
Before submitting your application, you have to fill out the OSR. This implies that in case you have scored a 6.5 in total, but you have failed to get at least a 5.5 in all band scores, you can retake another IELTS test. Then you are free to use a combination of the two IELTS test results in order to satisfy the English 485 visa language requirements.
Also Read: Complete Guide for 485 Visa Extension: New Update
| Test Sub-skill | TOEFL iBT | CAE / C1 Advanced | PTE Academic | IELTS | OET |
| Overall | 83 | 176 | 57 | 6.5 | B |
| Listening | 7 | 162 | 43 | 5.5 | B |
| Reading | 8 | 162 | 48 | 5.5 | B |
| Writing | 18 | 162 | 51 | 5.5 | B |
| Speaking | 16 | 162 | 42 | 5.5 | B |
Meeting the 485 visa Australia English requirements does not simply involve satisfying visa requirements. A high level of English proficiency among candidates is also a consideration in career achievement in Australia by employers. A better score in English might also be beneficial in the future, in migration prospects or employer-sponsored visas.
Also Read: 6 Shocking Reasons Why Your Australia Student Visa Could Get Rejected!
Meeting the 485 visa requirements is essential for a successful application. Consulting the best migration agent Adelaide can provide personalised guidance and minimise errors.
Working with a professional migration agent ensures that your application is accurate and compliant with all regulations. This support enhances your chances of approval for the temporary graduate visa and makes navigating the 485 visa Australia process significantly easier.
