Which English tests are accepted for the 482 visa?

Accepted tests include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT and MET, provided they are taken at an approved test centre.

Who is exempt from English requirements for the 482 visa?

You may be exempt if you hold a passport from certain English-speaking countries or meet specific exemption criteria such as prior English education or occupation requirements.

Do English requirements differ for Labour Agreement stream?

Yes. English requirements may differ depending on the Labour Agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.

482 Visa English Requirements
Scores, Tests & Exemptions

Q: What is the English requirement for a 482 visa?

You must meet minimum English scores through an approved test such as IELTS, PTE Academic or TOEFL. Required scores depend on the visa stream and test type.

Q: Are online English tests accepted for the 482 visa?

No. Tests taken fully online or at home are not accepted. You must take the test at an approved test centre.

Q: How long are English test results valid?

English test results must generally be no more than 3 years old at the time of application.

Last updated: 15 April 2026 · RACC Migration & Education Services

In summary: Primary applicants for the 482 visa must meet minimum English proficiency standards unless an exemption applies. For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, IELTS requires 5.0 in each band. Results must be no more than 3 years old, and online (at-home) tests are not accepted. Passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland are exempt.

Related: 482 Visa Australia Complete Guide · 482 Visa Requirements

Who Is Exempt From the English Requirement?

You do not need to provide English test results if any of the following apply.

1. Passport holders from exempt countries

You hold a passport from one of these countries:

Canada
New Zealand
Republic of Ireland
United Kingdom
United States of America

If you hold one of these passports, your citizenship alone satisfies the English requirement. No test results needed.

2. Five years of full-time study in English

You completed at least 5 years of full-time study at secondary level or above where most classes were conducted in English.

You must provide:

Name and location of the institution/s
Level of qualification/s
Official transcript from the secondary and/or tertiary institution
Number of contact hours per week in English
Number of years of study

3. Diplomatic or consular occupation

Your nominated occupation in Australia will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country, or an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan.

4. Licence or registration requiring equivalent English

Your nominated occupation requires you to hold a licence, registration or membership, and you had to prove English proficiency at least equivalent to the 482 visa standard to obtain it.

All three conditions must apply:

Your occupation requires a licence, registration or membership
You were granted it
You had to demonstrate English at an equivalent or higher level to be granted it

5. Overseas business employee earning AUD 96,400+

You are an employee of an overseas business, that business or its associated entity has nominated you to work in Australia, and you will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400.

Online Tests the Department Does Not Accept

The Department of Home Affairs does not accept evidence from English language tests where the entire test is delivered online (also known as remote-proctored or at-home tests).

Online tests that are NOT accepted:

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

Important for TOEFL iBT: For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, you must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" during registration to ensure your test is valid for Australian visa purposes.

All accepted tests must be taken at an approved in-person test centre.

Frequently Asked Questions — 482 Visa English Requirements

What is the English requirement for a 482 visa?

For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025: IELTS 5.0 in each band, PTE Academic Listening 33 / Reading 36 / Writing 29 / Speaking 24, TOEFL iBT Listening 8 / Reading 8 / Writing 9 / Speaking 14. OET, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT and MET are also accepted at equivalent levels. Results must be no more than 3 years old.

Who is exempt from the 482 visa English requirement?

Passport holders from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK or the USA are automatically exempt. You may also be exempt if you completed 5 years of full-time study in English, your occupation is at a diplomatic mission, your professional licence required equivalent English, or you are an overseas business employee earning at least AUD 96,400.

What changed on 13 September 2025?

The minimum scores changed for several tests — particularly PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, which moved to per-component minimums rather than an overall score. Single skill retake results are now accepted for tests taken on or after this date. Tests taken before 13 September 2025 are assessed under the old requirements. See the full breakdown of the changes.

Are online English tests accepted for the 482 visa?

No. The Department does not accept tests delivered entirely online (remote-proctored or at-home). This includes IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, OET@Home, CELPIP Online, LANGUAGECERT Academic Online, and MET Digital. Tests must be taken at an approved in-person centre.

How long are English test results valid?

Results must be no more than 3 years old at the time you apply for the 482 visa.

What English score do I need for PTE Academic?

For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025: Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29, Speaking 24. For tests taken before 13 September 2025: overall score of at least 36 with 36 in each component, achieved in one sitting.

What English score do I need for IELTS?

For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025: 5.0 in each band (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). For tests taken before 13 September 2025: overall band score of at least 5.0 with 5.0 in each component, achieved in one sitting.

Does the TOEFL iBT Home Edition count?

No. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is an online test and is not accepted for Australian visa purposes. You must take the TOEFL iBT at an approved test centre. For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, you must also select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" during registration.

482 Visa English Requirements at a Glance

Primary visa applicants for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) must demonstrate minimum English language proficiency by achieving a specific result in an approved English language test, unless an exemption applies.

Key rules:

Results must be no more than 3 years old at the time you apply
Online (at-home) tests are not accepted — tests must be taken at an approved centre
Requirements changed on 13 September 2025 — which table applies depends on when you took your test
The Labour Agreement stream has different requirements set by the specific agreement

Accepted Tests — Quick Reference

Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025

Note: For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, single skill retake results are accepted where the test offers this option.

Tests taken before 13 September 2025

Note: For tests taken before 13 September 2025, you must achieve the minimum scores in one sitting. Single skill retake results are not accepted.

English Requirements for the Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream has different English requirements from the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams.

You must have English language skills suitable to perform your nominated occupation.

English requirements for the Labour Agreement stream may be specified in the Labour Agreement between your employer and the Commonwealth. The specific level required depends on the terms of the individual agreement.

Where no specific English requirement is set out in the Labour Agreement, the standard Skills in Demand visa English requirements generally apply.

Check the terms of your employer's Labour Agreement for the specific English language requirement that applies to your nomination. See how Labour Agreements work.

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482 Visa English Requirements Scores, Tests & Exemptions