English Requirements for the 485 Visa (Subclass 485) – IELTS & Other Accepted Tests (2026)

If you are applying for the Temporary Graduate visa, your English test must be ready before you lodge.

For most applicants, this means meeting the required IELTS score, taking the test in an approved centre, and making sure the result is still valid on the day you apply.

A common mistake is assuming an old score, online test, or late retake will still count. The Department checks your English evidence at the time of lodgement, so timing matters just as much as your score.

The IELTS score is the same for both main 485 streams. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream usually does not require a new English test because English was already assessed when your first 485 visa was granted.

Lower IELTS score for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders

If you hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport, the IELTS requirement is lower for the Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational streams.

You need:

• Overall score of 6.0

• At least 5.0 in each band

Which IELTS test is accepted?

You can use IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. Your test must be taken in an approved test centre.  

Does IELTS One Skill Retake count?

Yes. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted for the 485 visa.

The retake must be completed before you lodge your visa application.

You cannot lodge first and submit the retake later.

How recent must your IELTS test be?

Your IELTS result must be taken within 12 months before you apply.

This means the test must still be valid on the day you lodge your visa application.

A score that was valid when you booked your visa documents but expired before lodgement may no longer be accepted.

Post-higher education work stream

You must provide IELTS evidence unless you hold a passport from an exempt country.

Post-vocational education work stream

You must also meet the same IELTS requirements. This applies in addition to your occupation and skills assessment requirements.

Second post-higher education work stream

In most cases, you do not need a new IELTS result because your English was already assessed when your first eligible 485 visa was granted.

The Department currently accepts:

• IELTS Academic

• IELTS General Training

• PTE Academic

• TOEFL iBT

• OET

• Cambridge C1 Advanced

• CELPIP General

• LanguageCert Academic

• MET

For all accepted tests, your result must:

• Meet the minimum score required for your visa stream

• Be taken within 12 months before you apply

• Be completed in an approved test centre

For IELTS, both Academic and General Training are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is also accepted for the 485 visa, as long as the retake is completed before you lodge your application.

This means if one band is below the required score, you can retake that single skill instead of repeating the full test, but the final updated result must already be ready when you submit your visa application.

If you are planning beyond the 485 visa, it also helps to choose a test that may support your future study or migration goals.

Choose the test you feel you can perform best in, but also think about what will help you get your target score the first time. If you take IELTS, you can use free practice tests, try a full mock test, and get familiar with the format before test day, which helps many students feel more prepared when their Temporary Graduate visa deadline is close.

IELTS can also give you more flexibility if one section does not go as planned. With IELTS One Skill Retake, you only repeat the band you need to improve instead of taking the whole test again, which can save you time and extra cost.

If PR is part of your longer plan, it is worth knowing that IELTS score targets for many skilled migration pathways have stayed consistent, while score conversions in some other tests have become harder to match at higher levels. That is why some students choose IELTS early and aim above the 485 minimum, so the same result can still support future visa options.