English Requirement – Subclass 482 Visa

English proficiency

If you are applying for a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa application, you must show evidence of meeting the English language requirements unless one of the following exemptions apply:

1. You hold a valid passport from one of these countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland or New Zealand.
2. You have completed at least five cumulative years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English. You will need to obtain evidence from the educational institution(s) confirming this. This evidence must clearly confirm the years you attended, the qualification you attained, that the course was full-time and that the medium of instruction was in English. You can download a template letter here. This letter should be accompanied by transcripts/marksheets for each year of study relied on.
3. Your annual guaranteed earnings will be at least AUD96,400 and you currently work overseas for the sponsor or work for an overseas business that is an associated entity of your sponsor.

Approved tests

If you do not meet one of these exemptions, you must sit an approved test to prove your English language ability. The following tests are acceptable:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – the General test is sufficient;
• Occupational English Test (OET);
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE);
• Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE)
• TOEFL iBT

Results from TOEFL iBT tests completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted.

Tests completed before July 26th, 2023 and after 5 May 2024 remain valid for two years and can be used.

NOTE: Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL at home, OET@Home and IELTS Indicator. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.

From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted.

Minimum scores

The minimum scores required are as follows:

Test validity

For the purposes of a visa application, English test results are valid for 3 years. The required scores must have been achieved in a single attempt at the test.