VisaChief Temporary Graduate visa (485) English requirements 2026
Overall and per-component minimums for all nine accepted tests, plus the BNO and Hong Kong concession.
The short answer. IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. The 485 is the one visa where both an overall score and per-component minimums apply, so a 6.5 average with a 5.0 in writing fails.
Minimum scores - tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
| Component | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Not accepted | 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 67 | 58 | 1310 | 55 | 81 |
| Listening | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 49 | 53 | 260 | 40 | 12 |
| Reading | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 54 | 51 | 280 | 42 | 12 |
| Writing | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 56 | 51 | 260 | 41 | 14 |
| Speaking | Not accepted | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 62 | 43 | 310 | 39 | 17 |
Concessional scores - BNO and Hong Kong passport holders
Holders of a British National (Overseas) or Hong Kong passport have a lower requirement.
| Component | C1 Advanced | CELPIP General | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | LANGUAGECERT Academic | MET | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Not accepted | 7 | 6 | 6 | 61 | 53 | 1210 | 47 | 67 |
| Listening | Not accepted | 5 | 5 | 5 | 41 | 49 | 220 | 33 | 8 |
| Reading | Not accepted | 5 | 5 | 5 | 44 | 47 | 240 | 36 | 8 |
| Writing | Not accepted | 5 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 45 | 200 | 29 | 9 |
| Speaking | Not accepted | 5 | 5 | 5 | 54 | 38 | 270 | 24 | 14 |
Minimum scores - tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
| Component | CAE / C1 Advanced | IELTS | OET | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 176 | 6.5 | B | 57 | 83 |
| Listening | 162 | 5.5 | B | 43 | 7 |
| Reading | 162 | 5.5 | B | 48 | 8 |
| Writing | 162 | 5.5 | B | 51 | 18 |
| Speaking | 162 | 5.5 | B | 42 | 16 |
Timing traps
- The result must be valid when you lodge - not when you sat it.
- An IELTS One Skill Retake must be completed before you lodge; you cannot lodge and fix a component later.
- C1 Advanced is not accepted for the 485 at all, even though it is accepted for skilled visas.
- The 485 also has an age limit and a study-requirement window, so a slow English result can cost you the visa even when the score is fine.
See the full Temporary Graduate visa (485) guide, the document checklist, or compare it with staying on a student visa in 485 vs 500.
Not sure which level your visa needs? Run the free eligibility check, or see how English converts into points on the points calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for a 485 visa?
6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking. BNO and Hong Kong passport holders need 6.0 overall with 5.0 in each.
What PTE score is needed for the 485 visa?
PTE Academic 55 overall with at least 40 listening, 42 reading, 41 writing and 39 speaking, for a test taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Does the 485 accept C1 Advanced?
No. C1 Advanced is not an accepted test for the Temporary Graduate visa, although it is accepted for the statutory English levels used by skilled visas.