482 Visa English Requirements
The Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand (SID) Visa is one of the most common Australian work visas. It allows skilled workers to be sponsored by an eligible Australian employer to live and work in Australia for up to four years.
Meeting the English language requirement is an essential part of the application. The rules were recently updated, with changes applying from 13 September 2025. Below is a full guide to the current requirements, including accepted tests, exemptions, and what this means if you plan to transition to permanent residency.
Recently, the Australian Government reduced the PTE English test requirement for the Subclass 482 visa. The change took effect on 13 September 2025 and applies to English tests taken on or after that date. Tests completed before this date must still meet the previous requirements.
For the Subclass 482 visa, the One Skill Retake (OSR) is now permitted for English tests that offer this option, such as IELTS.
English Tests Completed On or After 13 September 2025
If your English test provider offers a One Skill Retake (OSR) option, results from that retake may be accepted.
Minimum Score Required by Test:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
IELTS Academic | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
IELTS General Training | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
OET | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
LanguageCert Academic | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
MET | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
CELPIP – General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
English Tests Completed Before 13 September 2025
Scores must be achieved in a single sitting. One Skill Retake results are not accepted.
Minimum Score Required by Test:
Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
PTE Academic | Overall score of 36, with 36 in each component |
IELTS (Academic or General) | Overall band score of at least 5.0, with no band lower than 5.0 |
TOEFL iBT | Total score: 35 (Listening: min 4, Reading: min 4, Writing: min 14, Speaking: min 14) |
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) | Overall score of 154, with at least 154 in each component |
OET | At least B in each of the four components |
Note: From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, TOEFL iBT was not accepted for visa purposes. From 12 February 2024, only the paper-based CAE version is accepted. Older valid results remain acceptable.
Who Does Not Need to Sit an English Test?
You may be exempt from taking an English test if:
- You hold a passport from:
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- USA
- Canada
- New Zealand
- You have completed at least five years of full-time study in English at a secondary level or higher
- You are sponsored under a labour agreement that specifies a different English requirement
- You hold registration that has the same or higher English requirement, such as for medical practitioners
482 Visa to 186 Visa: Permanent Residency Transition
Many Subclass 482 visa holders later apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa.
For the 186 visa, you must show Competent English, which is a higher requirement than for the 482 visa.
Competent English – Tests Taken On or After 7 August 2025
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
LanguageCert Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
MET | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
Competent English – Tests Taken Before 7 August 2025
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
PTE Academic | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
TOEFL iBT | 12 | 13 | 21 | 21 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
OET | B | B | B | B |
CELPIP General | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
LanguageCert Academic | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
MET | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
If your long-term goal is permanent residency, it is important to plan ahead and prepare for the higher Competent English requirement.
How Work Visa Lawyers Can Help
At Work Visa Lawyers, we assist both skilled workers and Australian employers with all aspects of the Subclass 482 visa process, including:
- Assessing whether you need to sit an English test or qualify for an exemption
- Preparing and lodging a strong application
- Helping you plan your pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 visa
Contact Work Visa Lawyers today to book a consultation and receive expert advice on your visa application.
