IELTS & PTE Validity for Australian Visas – What You Need to Know
Are you confused about how long your IELTS or PTE test results remain valid for different Australian visa applications? You’re not alone! Many applicants see “valid for 2 years” printed on their test results and assume that applies across all visas. But the truth is, the validity period varies depending on the type of visa you apply for.
In this blog, we’ll break down the validity of IELTS and PTE scores for student visas, skilled visas, partner English requirements, and the 485 visa.
Permanent Residency (PR) & Pathways to PR Visas
For skilled and PR-related visas such as:
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
👉 Validity: Your IELTS or PTE test results are valid for 3 years from the date of the exam.
Most of these visas have a time of application requirement, meaning your test results must still be valid on the day you lodge your application.
Partner’s Functional English Requirement
If you’re including your partner in a skilled visa application (e.g., subclass 186), your partner may need to demonstrate functional English.
Functional English is equivalent to an IELTS score of 4.5.
Validity: The test result is valid for only 12 months (1 year).
Important: Don’t assume your partner’s score will remain valid for 3 years — it won’t. If your partner needs functional English evidence, plan for the exam close to your visa application date.
Student Visas
For international students applying for a student visa in Australia:
👉 Validity: IELTS or PTE results are valid for 2 years.
This aligns with the test certificate itself, so there’s no confusion here.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
This is one of the most misunderstood visas when it comes to English test validity.
👉 Validity: IELTS or PTE scores are valid for 12 months (1 year) only from the date of the exam.
So, if you’re planning to apply for a 485 visa, make sure your English test is taken within the last 12 months, otherwise, your visa could be refused.
Summary of IELTS/PTE Validity
PR & provisional PR visas (186, 494, 491, 190, 189): 3 years
Partner functional English: 1 year
Student visas: 2 years
485 visa: 1 year
Final Thoughts
Always check your English test validity before lodging a visa application. If your test has expired, even by a few days, your visa could be refused. When in doubt, seek professional advice from a Registered Migration Agent to avoid costly mistakes.
