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For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET) for Vocational, Competent and Proficient English—and accepts a 4-skill MET score report that includes one single-section retake.
Official Australian visa MET score thresholds (0–80)
Under Migration Instrument LIN 25/016 (effective for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025), you must meet the minimum MET scaled score in every one of the four skills—Listening, Reading & Grammar, Writing, and Speaking. An overall average alone does not qualify if one skill is below the minimum.
The MET is not used for Superior English (which requires higher thresholds on other accepted tests). Always confirm the exact English level required for your visa subclass on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
| English level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational English | 49 | 47 | 45 | 45 |
| Competent English | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
| Proficient English | 61 | 63 | 66 | 59 |
How the MET single-section retake works for Australia
- Eligible skills: You can retake one section—Writing, Listening, or Reading & Grammar—after completing a full 4-skill MET.
- Speaking exception: Speaking cannot be retaken by itself under Michigan Language Assessment rules.
- Booking window: You can register for a single-section retake once your 4-skill results are released, and you must schedule and complete the retake within 3 days of registration (once per 4-skill exam).
- Australian visa acceptance: The Department of Home Affairs accepts a 4-skill MET result that includes one single-section retake.
Where Australian visa candidates usually lose points
- Writing (57 for Competent, 66 for Proficient): Task 2 requires a well-organized 250+ word essay; under-length or poorly paragraphed essays often stall around 50–54.
- Listening (56 for Competent, 61 for Proficient): Every recording plays once with a 10-second answer window per question, so practise reading the four options before the audio starts.
Questions, answered
Can I use the 2-skill MET for an Australian visa?
No. Australian visa applications require the full 4-skill MET (Writing, Listening, Reading & Grammar, and Speaking).
What if only my Writing or Reading score is 2 points short?
Because Writing, Listening, and Reading & Grammar are eligible for a single-section retake, you can retake that one section within 3 days of registering after your 4-skill result comes out, without sitting all four skills again.