English Requirements for the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa
Applicants for the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) must meet specific English language requirements at the time of application. These requirements are part of the broader eligibility criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs (Department).
The Subclass 482 is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that allows applicants to live and work in Australia in a nominated occupation for two or four years. The Subclass 482 consists of various visa streams aimed at accommodating foreign skilled workers with different occupations, qualifications, skills and work experience. There are also various English requirements depending on the stream relevant to the nominated occupation.
Visa Streams
The Subclass 482 comprises the following streams:
- Specialist Skills stream – for nominated occupations with the specialist skills income threshold of $135,000 or more.
- Core Skills stream – for nominated occupations in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
- Labour Agreement stream – for nominated occupations that require a labour agreement between the nominating employer and the Department.
The English language requirements vary based on the nominated occupation and the relevant stream.
Updated English Language Requirements (from 13 September 2025)
From 13 September 2025, the Department has introduced new English test rules under LIN 25/082. Applicants must now achieve minimum scores in each skill (listening, reading, writing, speaking) with no overall band requirement.
Approved English tests now include:
- IELTS (Academic or General Training)
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
- OET
- CELPIP General
- LanguageCert Academic
- Michigan English Test (MET)
Cambridge C1 Advanced will no longer be accepted if taken on or after 13 September 2025. One Skill Retake (OSR) or MET Single Section Retake (SSR) may be used for tests taken on or after 13 September 2025. If used, the validity period runs from the original test date.
Minimum English test scores for the 482 visa (from 13 September 2025):
- IELTS (Academic or General Training): 5.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
- TOEFL iBT: 8 in Listening, 8 in Reading, 9 in Writing, 14 in Speaking
- PTE Academic: 33 in Listening, 36 in Reading, 29 in Writing, 24 in Speaking
- OET: 220 in Listening, 240 in Reading, 200 in Writing, 270 in Speaking
- CELPIP General: 5 in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
- LanguageCert Academic: 41 in Listening, 44 in Reading, 45 in Writing, 54 in Speaking
- Michigan English Test (MET): 49 in Listening, 47 in Reading, 45 in Writing, 38 in Speaking
Important: Only in-person tests at secure test centres are accepted. Online versions (such as IELTS Online, OET@Home, or MET Digital) cannot be used.
Labour Agreement Stream
The applicant must have English language skills suitable to perform the nominated occupation. English requirements may be specified in the labour agreement between the employer and the Department.
Do Exemptions Apply?
There are English language exemptions applicable where an English test is not required, including, among others:
- If the applicant holds a valid passport issued by the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland and is a citizen of that country; and
- If the applicant has completed at least five years of full-time study in a secondary or higher education institution conducted in English.
There are no changes to these exemptions under the 2025 update.
English Requirements for Additional Applicants
Dependent applicants, such as members of the family unit, are exempt from meeting the English language criteria, regardless of age.
Contact Us
For more information and guidance on the Subclass 482 visa English requirements, contact Bambrick Legal today.
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Related Blog – Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)