Under the 482 visa English requirements, you must pass an approved English test within 3 years before you apply, unless you are exempt. For example, IELTS needs 5.0 in each of the four parts, and PTE Academic needs 33 in listening, 36 in reading, 29 in writing and 24 in speaking.
The 482 visa is now called the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. This guide explains the 482 visa English requirements in plain words. You will see who can skip the test, the exact scores, and the online tests that Home Affairs will not accept.
In This Guide
- What Are the 482 Visa English Requirements?
- Do You Need an English Test for the 482 Visa?
- 482 Visa English Test Scores (Tests Taken on or After 13 September 2025)
- 482 Visa English Requirements for Tests Taken Before 13 September 2025
- English Tests Not Accepted for the 482 Visa
- 482 Visa English Requirements for the Labour Agreement Stream
- How to Plan Your English Test for the 482 Visa
- Common 482 Visa English Requirements Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions About 482 Visa English Requirements
- Get Your 482 Visa English Requirements Right
What Are the 482 Visa English Requirements?
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is a temporary work visa. Home Affairs wants to know that you can do your job in English, so the 482 visa English requirements apply to most applicants.
For the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, there are two ways to meet the rule. You either qualify for an exemption, or you take an English test and reach the minimum score.
The Labour Agreement stream works a little differently. We cover that below.
Do You Need an English Test for the 482 Visa?
Not always. Check the exemptions first, because they can save you time and money.
You do not need to meet the 482 visa English requirements with a test if any one of these applies to you.
You hold a passport from certain countries
You are exempt if you hold a passport from one of these five countries:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America
You studied in English for at least 5 years
You can also skip the test if you completed at least 5 years of full-time study in English. The study must be at secondary level or higher, and most of your classes must have been taught in English.
Home Affairs will ask for proof. Have these details ready:
- The name and location of each school or university
- The level of each qualification
- An official transcript from the secondary or tertiary institution
- How many contact hours per week were in English
- How many years you studied
You will work at a foreign mission or the Taiwan office
The exemption applies if your nominated job in Australia will be at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country. It also applies at an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan.
Your job needs a licence, registration or membership
Some jobs need a licence, registration or professional membership. You may be exempt if both of these are true:
- You were granted the licence, registration or membership
- To get it, you had to show English at an equal or higher level than the 482 scores in the tables below
You are moving within an overseas business
You may be exempt if all of these apply:
- You work for an overseas business
- That business, or a related company, has nominated you to work in Australia
- You will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400
The list can change. Read the full exemptions on the Home Affairs website before you decide to skip the test.
482 Visa English Test Scores (Tests Taken on or After 13 September 2025)
If no exemption fits you, you must take a test. Take it within 3 years before you lodge your application.
You need the minimum score in one of the tests below. Each test scores four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. If your test lets you retake a single skill, Home Affairs may accept that result.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| IELTS General Training | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
A special note for TOEFL iBT
If you sit the TOEFL on or after 21 January 2026, choose “Taking TOEFL for Australia” when you register. Otherwise, your result may not count for an Australian visa.
482 Visa English Requirements for Tests Taken Before 13 September 2025
Older results can still count, if they are within the 3-year window. Different rules apply to them.
You must reach the scores in one sitting. Home Affairs does not accept single skill retakes for these older tests.
| Test | Minimum result |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall 5.0, with at least 5 in each part |
| OET | At least a B in all four parts |
| TOEFL iBT | Total of at least 35, with at least 4 in listening and reading, and at least 14 in speaking and writing |
| PTE Academic | Overall 36, with at least 36 in each part |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Overall 154, with at least 154 in each part |
Cambridge and TOEFL date rules
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: From 12 February 2024, only the paper-based test is accepted. Earlier paper-based and computer-based results still count, if they are within their validity period.
- TOEFL iBT: From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT was not approved for Australian visas.
English Tests Not Accepted for the 482 Visa
The 482 visa English requirements rule out any test delivered fully online. These are also called remote-proctored or at-home tests.
Examples it does not accept:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- OET@Home
- MET Digital (taken at home)
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Check this before you book. A good score on an at-home test will not help your visa.
482 Visa English Requirements for the Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement stream has no set test table. You must have English skills that suit your nominated job.
The labour agreement between your employer and the Commonwealth may set its own English rules. Ask your employer or migration agent to show you that document.
How to Plan Your English Test for the 482 Visa
- Check the exemptions. Look at your passport, your study history and your job.
- Choose an approved test. Pick one from the tables above.
- Book a test that is not online. Avoid every at-home version.
- Check your TOEFL booking. Select “Taking TOEFL for Australia” if you sit it.
- Sit all four parts in one sitting. This keeps your result safe under the older rules.
- Apply within 3 years. Count from the test date.
Common 482 Visa English Requirements Mistakes
- Booking an online test. At-home tests are rejected.
- Using an old result. The test must be within 3 years before you apply.
- Missing one skill. A pass in three parts is not enough. You need all four.
- Forgetting the TOEFL option. A test without “Taking TOEFL for Australia” may not count.
- Assuming you are exempt. Check the exact wording of each exemption.
- Ignoring the date rules. Tests before and after 13 September 2025 follow different tables.
- Weak study proof. The 5-year exemption needs transcripts and contact hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About 482 Visa English Requirements
Are the Skills in Demand visa English requirements the same as the 482 visa English requirements?
Yes. Skills in Demand is the current name of the subclass 482 visa, so the same English rules apply.
What English score do I need for the 482 visa?
It depends on the test. IELTS needs 5.0 in each part. PTE Academic needs 33, 36, 29 and 24 for listening, reading, writing and speaking.
How long is my English test valid for a 482 visa?
You must take the test within 3 years before you apply.
Who is exempt from the 482 English requirement?
Passport holders from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA. Also people with 5 years of full-time study in English, and the other cases listed above.
Can I use IELTS Online for the 482 visa?
No. Home Affairs does not accept tests delivered fully online.
Is PTE Academic accepted for the 482 visa?
Yes, if you reach the minimum scores. Use the table for tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, or the older table if you sat it earlier.
Do I need an English test for the labour agreement stream?
You need English that suits your job. Your labour agreement may list specific rules.
Can I retake just one skill?
For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, Home Affairs may accept a single skill retake if your test offers it. For earlier tests, it does not.
Get Your 482 Visa English Requirements Right
The 482 visa English requirements are easy to meet when you plan early. Check for an exemption, pick the right test, and keep your result inside the 3-year window.
If you are not sure which of the 482 visa English requirements applies to you, speak to a registered migration agent before you book a test.
Important: This article provides general information only. Visa requirements, charges and processing times change, and your eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you make a visa application. For advice about your situation, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
