Australia Overhauls Visa English Rules: New Tests, Deadlines for 2025 Applicants

Thousands of visa applicants bound for Australia face significant changes to English language testing requirements set to take effect in 2025. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced major updates, expanding accepted tests but imposing critical deadlines that applicants must heed to avoid application delays or rejections.

What Are Australia’s New Visa English Language Requirements?

Effective August 7, 2025, the DHA expanded its list of accepted English Language Tests (ELTs) from five to nine. This move aims to provide greater flexibility and ensure more consistent scoring across different testing providers (Department of Home Affairs Announcement, July 2025). Visa applicants must now ensure they take a test valid for their specific visa stream and achieve the mandated scores.

Crucially, tests taken before August 7, 2025, using the previously accepted ELTs, will maintain their validity under previous rules for specific timeframes depending on the visa. The changes are designed to streamline the process but require careful attention to transition dates.

How Will Skills in Demand Visa Applicants Be Affected?

The most substantial changes target the popular Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482), effective September 13, 2025 (pending legislation). The DHA is aligning SID English requirements with the ‘Vocational’ level of proficiency defined in the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN25/016) (Department of Home Affairs).

• New Tests & Scores: Three new tests will become acceptable. Some existing test score requirements will also change. Applicants must achieve scores matching the new Vocational benchmark.
• Key Deadline – Cambridge C1 Advanced: This test will no longer be accepted for SID visas if taken on or after September 13, 2025. Applicants must complete this test before that date.
• Single Skill Retakes: Results from single skill retake options offered by accepted providers can be used.
• Validity of Older Tests: Tests taken before September 13, 2025, remain valid for three years under the previous rules outlined in the Migration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024.
• Labour Agreements: Requirements may differ based on specific agreements between employers and the government.

The DHA promises detailed guidance on the Subclass 482 English requirements page closer to the September implementation date. Applicants are urged to verify their chosen test’s validity and required scores based on their test date.

Global Immigration Updates: Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Saudi Arabia

• Malaysia: Effective August 7, 2025, the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) enhanced its Online Document Sighting function for Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications. Changes include centralized notifications via ESD Online, improved scheduling flexibility for rescheduling, and clearer documentation guidance (Immigration Department of Malaysia Announcement, July 2025).
• Mexico: New guidelines effective August 9, 2025, introduce an electronic visa (e-Visa) for certain nationalities entering “without permission to perform remunerated activities,” eliminating the need for in-person consular appointments (Joint Publication by SEGOB & SRE, July 2025). Further operational details are pending.
• Peru: A supreme decree exempts Singapore nationals from requiring a temporary business visa for stays up to 90 days within a year, effective August 12, 2025. Previously, visa-free entry was only for tourism (Government of Peru Supreme Decree, August 2025).
• Poland: A new draft law, adopted on August 5, 2025, will enable online applications for temporary residence, permanent residence, and long-term EU residence permits. It also streamlines return procedures for individuals subject to deportation decisions from other EU countries (Government of Poland Announcement, August 2025).
• Saudi Arabia: The General Directorate of Passports extended its grace period for holders of expired visit visas until August 25, 2025. Eligible individuals can apply for an exit permit without overstay fines via the Absher platform’s Tawasul service, provided they settle any outstanding fees. Overstaying beyond this date risks significant fines (up to SAR 50,000) and multi-year entry bans (General Directorate of Passports Announcement, July 2025).

Staying compliant with rapidly changing global immigration rules is essential for both individuals and businesses. The Australian English testing overhaul, in particular, demands immediate attention from prospective 2025 applicants to ensure they meet new deadlines and select valid tests. Consult official government sources or experienced immigration professionals for the latest, application-specific advice.

Must Know

What English tests are now accepted for Australian visas?
As of August 7, 2025, Australia accepts nine different English Language Tests (ELTs) for most visas, increased from five previously. Applicants must confirm the specific test and required score for their visa type. Tests taken before this date under old rules retain validity for certain periods.

What changes for the Skills in Demand visa English test?
Starting September 13, 2025 (pending legislation), Skills in Demand (SID) visa applicants face new test options and score requirements aligned with the ‘Vocational’ level. Crucially, the Cambridge C1 Advanced test will no longer be accepted if taken on or after this date. Tests taken before remain valid for three years.

Can I retake a single skill on my English test for Australia?
Yes, if your test provider offers a single skill retake option and the provider is on the DHA’s accepted list, you can use these retake results for your visa application, provided they meet the score requirements for your visa.

How long is the Saudi visit visa grace period?
Saudi Arabia has extended its grace period for holders of expired visit visas until August 25, 2025. During this time, individuals can apply for an exit permit without incurring overstay fines via the Absher platform, provided they pay any outstanding fees. Overstaying after this date incurs heavy penalties.

Disclaimer: Immigration rules change frequently. Always verify requirements directly with official government sources or qualified immigration professionals before applying.