Australia recognizes 3 more English language certifications for study, work visa

Students walk past stalls during the orientation week at The University of Sydney, in Camperdown, Australia, Feb. 15, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Australia's Department of Immigration has officially recognized three more English language certifications for visa applications for studying, working, and living in the country.

The new certifications - LanguageCert Academic, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General), and the Michigan English Test (MET) - are accepted from Aug. 7.

This brings the total number of accepted tests to nine, from eight providers. Previously recognized certifications include IELTS, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge English, TOEFL iBT, and OET.

According to data from Australia’s Department of Education, the number of enrolled international students reached 816,587 in the year to May, representing a 1% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and an 18% rise compared to 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than half (57%) of these students are from five countries: China (23%), India (17.1%), Nepal (7.9%), Vietnam (4.6%), and the Philippines (4.5%). The number includes students in high schools, universities, colleges, vocational training programs, and short-term English courses lasting six–nine months.

Additionally, the Immigration Department has updated the PTE certification requirements, removing the previous uniform score requirement for all skills (e.g., a minimum score of 50 for the Competent level).