The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that it is updating procedural instructions for onshore contributory aged parent visas (Subclass 864 & 884) and onshore aged parent visas (Subclass 804). The changes clarify that secondary applicants must also be aged at the time of application to take the place of primary applicant. Read more: On 1 July 2024, migration agents were notified that previous procedural instructions for Subclass 864, 884 and 804 visas had incorrectly interpreted Schedule 2 requirements. The Department confirmed that a secondary applicant must be ‘aged’ at the time of application to satisfy Schedule 2 criteria in order to replace the primary applicant. At that time, processing of affected applications was paused while long-term solutions were considered. The Department has now advised that: Withdraw and lodge a new application that meets current criteria, without losing their queue place. Under the exception provisions, for small number of applications affected due to this, the Department is prepared to backdate the queue date on a case-by-case basis.
From 7 August 2025, applicants for the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa can now rely on results from the IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) and the Michigan English Test (MET) Single Section Retake (SSR). Read more: The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that, effective 7 August 2025, the following changes apply to English language testing for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa: Click here: sc485-Department of Home Affairs
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) has introduced the General Federal Law Rules 2025, which replace the 2021 Rules and will apply to all general federal law proceedings, including migration matters, from 1 September 2025. These Rules replace the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2021 (GFL Rules 2021) and will come into effect on 1 September 2025. Part 25 of Chapter 3 of the 2025 Rules governs special classes of proceedings, including migration proceedings. While most provisions in this Part mirror those in the GFL Rules 2021, several new rules have been introduced without direct equivalents in the previous version: In addition, Schedule 2 of the Rules addresses costs. Part 3 of the Schedule is divided into two divisions: These provisions largely reflect Divisions 1 and 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the GFL Rules 2021. Link: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025
From 7 August 2025, the Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/014) updates the English language tests and scores required to meet the definition of functional English, replacing the 2015 instrument (IMMI 15/004). Read More: The new instrument LIN 25/014 clarifies the English language tests accepted for migration purposes and updates some required scores: Item Language Tests Average band score Overall band score Total band score 1 CELPIP General at least 5 2 IELTS Academic at least 4.5 3 IELTS General Training at least 4.5 4 LANGUAGECERT Academic at least 38 5 MET at least 38 6 OET at least 1020 7 PTE Academic at least 24 8 TOEFL iBT at least 26 Key Points: English tests must be undertaken within 12 months before the nomination or visa application or on/after the day of application. A saving provision allows tests taken between 5 August 2024 and 6 August 2025 under the previous instrument (IMMI 15/004) to remain valid if the applicant provides evidence of achieving the required score. LIN 25/014 commenced 7 August 2025 and applies to applications made on or after that date. This update ensures greater clarity and introduces new accepted tests, giving applicants more options to meet functional English requirements. Click here: LIN 25/014 – Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025
From 7 August 2025, the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 15/016) replaces the 2015 instrument (IMMI 15/005), updating English language test providers and scores for Australian visa applications. Read more: The new instrument LIN 15/016 specifies the English language proficiency requirements and the associated test scores accepted for Australian visa applications. It modernises the list of test providers and scores while maintaining continuity for tests undertaken under the previous instrument. C1Advanced CELPIPGeneral IELTSAcademic IELTSGeneral Training LANGUAGE-CERTAcademic MET OET PTE Academic TOFEL iBT Vocational Listening Excluded 5 5 5 41 49 220 33 8 Reading 5 5 5 44 47 240 36 8 Writing 5 5 5 45 45 200 29 9 Speaking 5 5 5 54 38 270 24 14 Competent Listening 163 7 6 6 57 56 290 47 16 Reading 163 7 6 6 60 55 310 48 16 Writing 170 7 6 6 64 57 290 51 19 Speaking 179 7 6 6 70 48 330 54 19 Proficient Listening 175 9 7 7 67 61 350 58 22 Reading 179 8 7 7 71 63 360 59 22 Writing 193 10 7 7 78 74 380 69 26 Speaking 194 8 7 7 82 59 360 76 24 Superior Listening 186 10 8 8 80 E XCLUDED 390 69 26 Reading 190 10 8 8 83 400 70 27 Writing 210 12 8 8 89 420 85 30 Speaking 208 10 8 8 89 400 88 28 Tests Taken Before the Instrument Commenced According to Section 10 of the instrument, a person will be considered to have the required English language proficiency if they: Link: LIN 25/016 – Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025
From 7 August 2025, the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/089) updates the English language proficiency requirements and test providers for the Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams of the Subclass 485 visa, replacing the 2024 instrument (LIN 24/021). The new instrument LIN 25/089 updates the English language proficiency requirements for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa. It applies specifically to applicants in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and the Post-Higher Education Work stream. The table sets out the test providers and score requirements under the new instrument (LIN 25/089). Test Overall Band Score Listening Reading Writing Speaking IELTS General Training/ Academic 6.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 CELPIP General 8 6 6 6 6 PTE Academic 55 40 42 41 39 TOEFL iBT 81 12 12 14 17 C1 Advanced 176 162 162 162 162 LANGUAGECERT Academic 67 49 54 56 62 OET 1310 260 280 260 310 MET 58 53 51 51 43 English Language scores for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders Specific provisions apply to these applicants, with test scores and providers outlined in the instrument. Test Overall Score Listening Reading Writing Speaking C1 Advanced 169 154 154 154 154 CELPIP General 7 5 5 5 5 IELTS (GT/Academic) 6.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 LANGUAGECERT Academic 61 41 44 45 54 MET 53 49 47 45 38 OET 1210 220 240 200 270 PTE Academic 47 33 36 29 24 TOEFL iBT 67 8 8 9 14 Test undertaken before commencement of this instrument According to section 10 of LIN 25/089, an English language test taken before 7 August 2025 (the commencement date of the new instrument) may still be accepted for Subclass 485 applications lodged on or after 7 August 2025, provided the following conditions are met: Implementation of LIN 25/089 Click here: Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/089)
From 7 August 2025, the Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/090) updates the approved English language test providers and required test scores for Student visa (Subclass 500) applicants. This replaces the 2024 instrument (LIN 24/022). The new instrument LIN 25/090 repeals and replaces LIN 24/022, introducing updated English language requirements for Subclass 500 visa applicants. The table outlines the test providers and score requirements under the new instrument (LIN 25/090). English language test scores Item Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Test name Minimum test score Minimum test score: if principal course is accompanied by at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS; or if a standard foundation program; or if an extended foundation program; or if an eligible pathway program. Minimum test score: if principal course is accompanied by at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS. 1. C1 Advanced Overall band score of 161. Not accepted for purposes of subclause 500.213(1) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. Not accepted for purposes of subclause 500.213(1) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. 2. CELPIP General Overall band score of 7. Overall band score of 6. Overall band score of 5. 3. IELTS Academic Average band score of 6.0. Average band score of 5.5. Average band score of 5.0. 4. IELTS General Training Average band score of 6.0. Average band score of 5.5. Average band score of 5.0. 5. LANGUAGECERT Academic Overall band score of 61. Overall band score of 54. Overall band score of 46. 6. MET Overall band score of 53. Overall band score of 49. Overall band score of 44. 7. OET Overall band score of 1210. Overall band score of 1090. Overall band score of 1020. 8. PTE Academic Overall band score of 47. Overall band score of 39. Overall band score of 31. 9. TOEFL iBT Total band score of 67. Total band score of 51. Total band score of 37. Tests Undertaken Before Commencement: Tests taken before 7 August 2025 can still be used for applications lodged on or after 7 August 2025 if they meet: The requirements of LIN 24/022 (old instrument), or Schedule 3 of LIN 25/090 (new instrument). Validity: English evidence at the time of lodgement: Test must be ≤ 24 months old on the application lodgement date. English evidence after lodgement: Test must be ≤ 24 months old on the Department’s decision date. Click here– LIN 25/090-Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025
On 7 August 2025, four updated migration instruments introduced new English language test providers and made adjustments to existing test names and requirements. These changes reflect new Deeds of Agreement between the Department of Home Affairs and test providers. New English Test Providers Added: The following providers are now formally recognised across the updated instruments: Terminology Updates: These changes have been applied consistently to ensure clarity and alignment with international testing standards. Application Click here: LIN 25/014 – Migration (Evidence of Functional English Language Proficiency) Instrument 2025 LIN 25/016 – Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 LIN 25/089 – Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 LIN 25/090 – Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025
Applicants interested in NSW nomination for the Subclass 858 NIV can now submit their ROI online. Registrations of Interest (ROI) are now open for NSW Government nomination for the Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa (NIV) – a permanent visa pathway for individuals with exceptional talent and achievement in their field. Key Points to Remember: Useful Resources: Click here- NSW National Innovation Visa – Nomination and Application Information
Applicants invited to participate in the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships can apply for specific visas with a nil visa application charge (VAC) under a newly issued migration instrument. The Migration (Class of Persons for Nil VAC—2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/092) allows certain applicants for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) and Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) to apply with no visa application charge (VAC) if they can provide evidence of being invited to participate in the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships. This instrument came into effect on 29 July 2025 and will self-repeal on 16 October 2025, following the conclusion of the Virtus Championships. Click here-LIN 25/092– 2025 Virtus Championships Nil VAC details