Do you want to know if you can apply for a 485 visa without IELTS? This question matters more and more to international students and skilled workers who want to stay longer in Australia. The 485 visa also called the Temporary Graduate visa, gives you a chance to work in Australia after you finish your studies. But people talk a lot about its English language rules.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the new changes to 485 visa English requirements and highlight other options besides IELTS. You’ll find out about the various English tests that are okay for this visa, including whether you need IELTS General or Academic. We’ll also check out ways to meet English requirements without IELTS and give you key info on 485 visa requirements. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know your choices for applying for an Australian visa without IELTS.
Recent Changes to 485 Visa English Requirements
You should know about the new changes to the English language requirements for the 485 visa. These changes have an impact on the lowest scores you need and how long your test results stay valid.
New minimum scores for various tests
The Department of Home Affairs has raised the bar for English proficiency. Now, you need to get an overall IELTS score of 6.5, which is higher than the old requirement of 6.0. Also, you have to score at least 5.5 in each part of the test (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). This change has an impact on equivalent tests too.
Reduced validity period for test results
The time frame for valid English test scores has shrunk. In the past, you could submit test results from up to three years before your visa application. But the new rules state that your scores are good for one year. This means you have to take the English test within 12 months of applying for your 485 visa.
How this affects different groups of applicants
Keep in mind that these changes don’t impact all applicant groups in the same way. For Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders, the rules stay the same. You still need to get an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with at least 5.0 in each part. This exception gives applicants from these areas some wiggle room.
Understanding the 485 Visa and its English Requirements
Overview of the 485 visa
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) lets international graduates stay in Australia to work or study more after finishing their education. Starting July 1, 2024, this visa will have three options: Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, Post-Higher Education Work Stream, and Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream. You can stay from 18 months to 4 years, based on your qualification level. People with Hong Kong and British National Overseas passports can stay up to 5 years. Indian nationals get special stay times.
Standard English language requirements
When you apply for a 485 visa, you must meet certain English language requirements. Home Affairs accepts several tests to prove your English skills. These include IELT S (Academic and General Training), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and OET. For example, you need to score at least 6.5 overall in IELTS, with no band below 5.5. Or, you can take PTE Academic and get an overall score of 57, while meeting minimum scores in each part.
Recent changes to English proficiency criteria
On March 23, 2024, the 485 visa English requirements underwent major changes. The minimum overall IELTS score went up from 6.0 to 6.5, and each component now requires at least 5.5. The test validity period shrank from three years to one year, which means you need to take the test no more than one year before you apply. These changes don’t affect Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, though. They still need an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no band below 5.0.
Alternatives to IELTS for 485 Visa Applications
Other accepted English language tests
You’ve got quite a few choices other than IELTS to show you’re good at English for the 485 visa. The Department of Home Affairs is okay with different tests, but each one has its own score you need to hit:
- PTE Academic: You should get an overall score of 57, with minimum scores of 43 in listening, 48 in reading, 42 in speaking, and 51 in writing.
- TOEFL iBT: Try to score 83 overall, with at least 7 in listening, 8 in reading, 16 in speaking, and 18 in writing.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): Your goal is an overall score of 176, with a minimum of 162 in each part.
- Occupational English Test (OET): You must score at least B in each test section.
Exemptions based on nationality
If you are a citizen with a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland, you don’t need to take an English test for the 485 visa application.
Evidence of English-medium education
The given info doesn’t talk about any other options related to English-medium education for the 485 visa. Keep in mind that you must get all test results within one year before you submit your visa application.
Looking at IELTS Alternatives for 485 Visa Applicants
When you apply for a 485 visa, you have other choices besides IELTS to show your English skills. Let’s check out these options and what they need.
PTE Academic: Features and Benefits
PTE Academic has gained popularity among 485 visa applicants. Starting March 23, 2024, you need to score 58 overall, with at least 42 in each section. To get ready:
- Practice with PTE mock tests to get used to the test setup.
- Add 10-20 new words to your vocabulary every day.
- Make flashcards to help you remember what you’ve learned.
- Work on improving the areas where you struggle.
- Check out online resources for practice tests and speaking exercises.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test
The Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test serves as another accepted option. You need a total band score of at least 176, with no less than 162 in each part. Keep in mind that paper-based CAE tests taken after February 12, 2024 are valid for Australian visa applications.
TOEFL iBT: Overview and Scoring
Since July 26, 2023, the Department of Home Affairs has stopped accepting TOEFL iBT scores for visa applications. If you took the test before this date, you can still use your valid score. For those who took it after, think about other tests like PTE Academic or CAE.
Ways to Meet English Requirements Without IELTS
Special provisions for certain nationalities
Holding a passport from certain countries might mean you don’t need to show extra English language test scores. If you have a passport from the United States, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, or New Zealand, the government sees you as meeting the English language requirements for the 485 visa. This exception can make your application process a lot easier if you’re from one of these countries.
Apply for a 485 visa without IELTS today.
You can apply for the 485 visa without IELTS, and you have several other options to choose from. The recent changes to English language requirements have a big impact on the application process. They’ve raised the bar for proficiency scores and shortened how long test results stay valid. This means you need to keep up with the latest rules and look into all your options to boost your chances of getting your application approved.
To wrap up, your choice between IELTS and other options like PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced isn’t as important as making sure you’re well-prepared and playing to your strengths. This means that some nationalities have special rules, and your college degree or work experience in English-speaking countries might help you meet the requirements. If you understand these different paths and plan ahead, you’ll have an easier time applying for the 485 visa, which can open up some great chances in Australia.