English Language Requirements for the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)

English language requirements for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

​​​​​These changes will begin from 13 September 2025 (subject to the passage of relevant legislation).

All primary applicants must meet English language standards, unless exempt**. The test must be:

• Taken within three years before lodging the visa application.
• Completed in one attempt, meeting the required score in all test components.
• Higher English proficiency may be required for occupations needing licensing, registration, or professional membership in Australia.
• We will no longer accept Cambridge C1 Advanced Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025 for SID visa purposes. If you have booked a test with this provider, you must ensure you take your test before this date

1. English Tests taken before 13 September 2025

Test	Minimum Score per Component
International English Language Testing Systems (General or Academic)	5 for listening 5 for reading 5 for writing 5 for speaking
Occupational English Test (OET)​  OET does not currently provide an overall test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET	B for listening B for reading B for writing B for speaking
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes.	​4 for listening 4 for reading 14 for writing 14 for speaking​
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	36 ​for listening 36 for reading 36 for writing 36​ for speaking
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)  From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests.	154 for listening 154 for reading 154 for writing 154 for speaking

NOTE: Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.

• CELPIP Online
• IELTS Online
• LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
• MET Digital (taken at-home)
• OET@Home
• TOEFL iBT – Home Edition

 

English language requirements for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

2. English Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025

Test	Minimum Score per Component
International English Language Testing Systems (General or Academic) Single skill retake (One Skill Retake) can be accepted if the test was taken within 3 years	5 for listening 5 for reading 5 for writing 5 for speaking
​​Occupational English Test (OET) OET does not currently provide an overall test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET	·         220 for listening ·         240 for reading ·         200 for writing ·         270 for speaking
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes.	8 for listening 8 for reading 9 for writing 14 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	33 for listening 36 for reading 29 for writing 24 for speaking
​Canadian English Langugage Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)	5 for listening 5 for reading 5 for writing 5 for speaking
Michigan English Test (MET)	49 for listening 47 for reading 45 for writing 38 for speaking
LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic)	41 for listening 44 for reading 45 for writing 54 for speaking

NOTE: Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.

• CELPIP Online
• IELTS Online
• LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
• MET Digital (taken at-home)
• OET@Home
• TOEFL iBT – Home Edition

 

Labour Agreement Stream

For applicants under a Labour Agreement, English proficiency requirements are set within the agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.

 

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

English Test Exemption:  You don’t need to take English exams if one of following apply:

1. Passport holder from:

• Canada
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom excluding British National (overseas)
• United States of America

 

2. You studied in English for 5+ years full-time, at secondary or higher level.
   Must provide:
   School name & location
   • Qualification level
   • Official transcript
   • Contact hours in English per week or Medium of Instruction was English
   • Years of study

 

3. You’ll work at:
   A diplomatic/consular mission of another country
   • Taiwan authorities’ office

 

 

4. You hold a licence/registration/membership for your occupation, and you proved equivalent or higher English when you got it.

 

5. You’re an overseas employee sent by your associated company in Australia, and your guaranteed annual earnings will be at least AUD 96,400.