From 7 August 2025, Department of Home Affairs has changed English language requirements for skilled migration streams, such as the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa. These changes relate to both what tests are recognized and what scores you must achieve to satisfy the visa’s English requirement or to accrue additional points in the migration points test.

Newly Accepted English Tests

Applicants can now also take results from three additional English tests:

1. CELPIP General means Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
2. LanguageCert Academic
3. Michigan English Test (MET)

Updated Score

These changes apply to:

1. PTE Academic
2. C1 Advanced (*no longer accepted for Vocational English)
3. OET
4. TOEFL iBT

190 Visa IELTS Requirements

1. The minimum IELTS score required for a 190 visa is a minimum of 6 in each band.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for IELTS is 7 in each band score.
3. To receive an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you must demonstrate Superior English skills. IELTS scores for superior English are a minimum of 8 in each band score across all four components: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

PTE Academic Requirement for Subclass 190

1. The minimum PTE score you need for a 190 visa is 47 in listening, 48 in Reading, 51 in writing, and 54 in speaking.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for PTE academic scores are 58 in listening, 59 in Reading, 69 in writing, and 76 in speaking.
3. For an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you need superior English. PTE academic scores for superior English are 69 in listening, 70 in Reading, 85 in writing, and 88 in speaking

TOEFL Requirement for 190 Visa

1. The minimum TOEFL score you need for subclass 190 is 16 in listening, 16 in Reading, 19 in writing, and 19 in speaking.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for TOEFL is 22 in listening, 22 in Reading, 26 in writing, and 24 in speaking.
3. For an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you need superior English. TOEFL scores for superior English are 26 in listening, 27 in Reading, 30 in writing, and 28 in speaking

OET Requirement for 190 Visa

1. The minimum OET score you need for subclass 190 is 290 in listening, 310 in Reading, 290 in writing, and 330 in speaking.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for OET is 350 in listening, 360 in Reading, 380 in writing, and 360 in speaking.
3. For an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you need superior English. OET scores for superior English are 390 in listening, 400 in Reading, 420 in writing, and 400 in speaking

LANGUAGECERT Academic Requirement for Subclass 190

1. The minimum LANGUAGECERT score you need for a 190 visa is 57 in listening, 60 in Reading, 64 in writing, and 70 in speaking.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for LANGUAGECERT academic scores are 67 in listening, 71 in Reading, 78 in writing, and 82 in speaking.
3. For an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you need superior English. LANGUAGECERT academic scores for superior English are 80 in listening, 83 in Reading, 89 in writing, and 89 in speaking

190 Visa CELPIP General Requirements

1. The minimum CELPIP General score required for a 190 visa is a minimum of 7 in each band.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for CELPIP General is 9 in listening, 8 in Reading, 10 in writing, and 8 in speaking.
3. To receive an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you must demonstrate Superior English skills. CELPIP General scores for superior English are 10 in listening, 10 in Reading, 12 in writing, and 10 in speaking

C1 Advanced Requirement for 190 Visa

1. The minimum C1 Advanced score you need for subclass 190 is 163 in listening, 163 in Reading, 170 in writing, and 179 in speaking.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for C1 Advanced is 175 in listening, 179 in Reading, 193 in writing, and 194 in speaking.
3. For an extra 20 points for a subclass 190 visa, you need superior English. C1 Advanced scores for superior English are 186 in listening, 190 in Reading, 210 in writing, and 208 in speaking.

MET Requirement for Subclass 190 Visa

1. The minimum Michigan English Test (MET) score you need for a 190 visa is 56 in listening, 55 in Reading, 57 in writing, and 48 in speaking.
2. For 10 extra points for a 190 visa, you need proficient English. Proficient English for MET scores are 61 in listening, 63 in Reading, 74 in writing, and 59 in speaking.

Why Your English Score Matters

Your English level can determine whether you only meet the minimum eligibility or gain valuable extra points to improve your ranking for an invitation.

1. Proficient English awards 10 extra points.
2. Superior English awards 20 extra points.

For example, if you currently have 60 points, reaching Proficient English can push you to the 70-point mark, making your application much stronger.

FAQs for the 190 Visa English Requirements

What is the minimum score to apply for the 190 visa?

You need at least 65 points in the points test.

Do I need to take an English test if I have a UK passport?

No. Citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland are exempt from English testing requirements.

If I already passed my test, do I need to retake it?

If you took your PTE before 7 August 2025, your results can still be used under the old score rules, as long as they are still valid. Most English test results are valid for two years from the date of testing.

Meeting the right English requirement can make a big difference in your points score and your chances of getting a 190 visa. Book an appointment with us today and take the next step toward your Australian permanent residency.

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