The Department of Home Affairs has announced updated English language rules for the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, effective from 13 September 2025.
Who Needs to Prove English?
Primary applicants in the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams must show English proficiency through an approved test, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Exemptions apply if:
- You hold a passport from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, UK, or USA
- You completed 5 years of full-time study in English(secondary or higher)
- Your role is at a diplomatic/consular missionor Taiwanese office
- Your occupation requires a licence/registrationthat already tested your English
- You are an overseas employeeearning AUD $96,400 or more
Minimum Test Scores (for tests taken on or after 13 Sept 2025)
Applicants must achieve at least the following scores:
- IELTS (Academic or General):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:L 220 | R 240 | W 200 | S 270
- CELPIP:All skills – 5
- Language Cert Academic:L 41 | R 44 | W 45 | S 54
- Michigan English Test (MET):L 49 | R 47 | W 45 | S 38
Online/at-home tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes.
Labour Agreement Stream
English requirements may differ depending on your employer’s labour agreement.
-Sonal Agrawal
Principal Migration Agent and Director
