The Department of Home Affairs has recently updated the PTE Academic score requirements in the visa system. These changes apply based on the date of the test and, in some cases, represent a significant shift in the minimum scores required.

For applicants who sit the test on or after 7 August 2025, both the general English language benchmarks for visa applications and the requirements for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) will be affected.

General Visa PTE Academic Benchmarks

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – PTE Academic Requirements

This update reflects a more detailed and tiered approach to English language thresholds by the Department of Home Affairs, with different assessment standards applied depending on the date of the test. These changes will directly affect whether an applicant meets the language requirements for certain visas.

For skilled migration, the Temporary Graduate visa, and other visa subclasses with an English language component, this is not simply an adjustment to individual component scores—it may alter the overall strategy and timing of an application.

For education providers, the revised standards may influence the enrolment timing of some students; for applicants, exam preparation timelines and score targets will need to be more precise to ensure compliance at the time of lodgement. In an increasingly competitive migration and international education environment, staying informed of policy changes and responding quickly will be critical to success.

If you have any questions or would like professional assistance, please feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration (Email: enquiry@riverwoodmigration.com). We are committed to providing transparent, expert migration services to help you achieve your dream of moving to Australia.

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