Approved English Tests for the Subclass 500 and New Zealand Student Visa Explained

Why this list matters

For the student visa, what counts is whether your test is on the immigration authority's list — not whether your university accepts it. A test off the list does not satisfy the visa even with a high score. This guide explains which tests each authority recognises and how that differs from broader university admission lists.

Lists and scores change, so treat the names below as a current snapshot and always confirm against the official pages before you book. This is general information, not immigration advice.

Australia: the subclass 500 approved tests

The Department of Home Affairs publishes the approved English tests for the Student visa (subclass 500). The currently listed approved tests include IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT (using the dedicated Australia option), Cambridge C1 Advanced, the Occupational English Test (OET), and additional listed options such as LANGUAGECERT Academic, CELPIP General and the Michigan English Test (MET).

Two rules are easy to miss. First, at-home and online tests are not accepted — the test must be taken at a secure test centre. Second, for TOEFL iBT you must select the Australia option for the result to count. This is general information, not immigration advice; verify the current approved list and scores on the official source.

• IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT (select the 'TOEFL iBT for Australia' option)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced
• Occupational English Test (OET)
• LANGUAGECERT Academic
• CELPIP General
• Michigan English Test (MET)
• Must be taken in a secure test centre — no at-home/online versions; verify the current list officially

New Zealand: recognised tests and outcomes

New Zealand works through recognised tests and outcomes rather than a single immigration score for most student visas. Immigration New Zealand generally relies on your approved education provider confirming you meet the programme's English entry level, drawing on the outcomes recognised through NZQA.

The recognised set centres on established tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, among others used for tertiary entry. Note that test formats and scoring can change over time, which can affect whether a particular version's scores are currently accepted. Always check the current NZQA-recognised outcomes and your provider's requirement.

Why university admission lists are broader

Universities and colleges set their own admission English requirements and may accept tests or formats the immigration authority does not — for example online tests, the Duolingo English Test, or internal English assessments. That breadth is fine for getting an offer, but it does not extend to the visa.

So when you read a university page saying 'we accept these tests', read it as the admission list. The visa list is the narrower, immigration-controlled one, and it is the one that governs your visa outcome.

Before you book: a quick verification routine

A short check saves a wasted test fee. Confirm the test name and version against the immigration list, confirm the score against both the immigration rule and your course, and confirm the sitting format (in-centre, correct option) is the accepted one.

• Is the test on the immigration list? (Australia: Home Affairs / Study Australia; NZ: NZQA-recognised + provider)
• Is the exact version accepted? (e.g. IELTS Academic vs General; TOEFL Australia option; in-centre not online)
• Does the score meet both the visa rule and your course?
• Is the result still within any accepted validity window stated by the authority?
• Have you re-checked close to your application date, since lists change?