How long are English test results valid for an Australian visa?
The department's level pages ask for a score achieved in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass123. For the points-tested skilled visas, your English is judged at the time of invitation4567, so check your result's date against both moments, not just one.
What counts as the start of the 3 years?
The date you achieved the score, counted back from your visa application123. The pages add "depending on the visa subclass", so always read the English section of your own visa's page as well.
What if I sat the test before 7 August 2025?
Those results can still count: the tests changed on 7 August 20258, and earlier results may stay valid for up to 3 years, depending on the visa subclass8. The department says results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used until 6 August 2028, inclusive, depending on the visa8. The legal instrument sets the same kind of limit: a test in the 36 months before the visa application, taken before the new rules began9. Older results are read against the older table, which the calculator offers as "on or before". Two older gaps matter too: TOEFL iBT was not approved from 26 July 2023 to 4 May 20241, and from 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025 only the paper-based C1 Advanced was accepted1.
Why does the invitation date matter?
For the points-tested visas, points criteria are assessed at the time of invitation7, and you must have at least Competent English at that point456. Your invitation then states the points you must score, which may be higher than 654, and you must prove the claims you made in your expression of interest, English included4.
Do retakes count?
For eligible visas, the department accepts IELTS results that include One Skill Retake1 and MET results that include Single Section Retake1. Check your visa's page to see whether yours is eligible.
A quick date check
- Find the test date on your result and note whether it is before or after 7 August 20258.
- If it is on or before 6 August 2025, remember it may be used only until 6 August 2028, inclusive, depending on the visa8.
- Make sure the score falls in the 3 years before your visa application123.
- Make sure it gives the level you claim at the time of invitation7.
- Read the English section of your visa's page, because each step depends on the visa subclass.
Where do I check my scores?
Use the calculator: choose when you sat the test, pick it, and it reads your scores against the right table.
Sources
Each small number links to the page it comes from. We keep a dated copy of every page with its SHA-256 fingerprint and check our wording against it word for word.
- Source 1: Competent English. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 21 September 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english - Source 2: Proficient English. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 21 September 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/proficient-english - Source 3: Superior English. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 21 September 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/superior-english - Source 4: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Points-tested stream. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 1 July 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-tested - Source 5: Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 2 October 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190 - Source 6: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), main applicant. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 16 July 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/application - Source 7: Points calculator. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 28 May 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/tools/points-calculator - Source 8: English language visa requirements. Department of Home Affairs, page last updated 2 February 2026; our copy 31 October 2026.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language - Source 9: Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016), text as made. Federal Register of Legislation; our copy 31 October 2026.
www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00905/asmade/2025-08-06/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html
Independent tool by Aptia Skills. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the Department of Home Affairs, any test provider or any government. Written with AI from the official sources listed on this page, and checked word for word against them. It is general information, not migration advice, and it cannot promise any visa outcome.