What is the English requirement for 482 visas?
To be eligible for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), primary applicants must meet specific minimum English language standards.
They may do so by taking and achieving a specific result in an English language test, unless exemptions apply.
Who is exempt from the new English requirement?
You are exempt from needing to prove English language proficiency if one of the following applies.
- You have an Australian degree or higher qualification, or
- You are applying from a country where English is the official language or
- Your nominated occupation in Australia will be performed in a particular location:
- You are an employee of an overseas business meeting specific criteria.
- You already hold a licence, registration or membership, which requires you to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency.
Now let’s dig into detail behind some of the exemptions
You have an Australian degree or higher qualification
To be eligible for this award, you must have completed at least five years of full-time study in at least a secondary-level institution where most classes were in English. To provide evidence that you meet this exemption, you will need to provide the following information as part of your application:
- 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
You are applying from a country where English is the official language or
If you are currently a citizen and passport holder in a country where English is the official language, you are exempt from taking an English test. The countries that qualify under this exemption are:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the Republic of Ireland
- the United Kingdom
- the United States of America
Your nominated occupation in Australia will be performed in a particular location:
If your nominated occupation is going to be performed at either a diplomatic or consular mission of another country, or an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan, you are exempt from having to demonstrate your English language requirements as part of this process.
You are an employee of an overseas business meeting specific criteria.
Being an employee of an overseas company that chooses to sponsor you to work in Australia will exempt you from having to prove your English language capability. However, to meet this exemption, the following criteria will need to be met:
- You need to be an existing company employee who is looking to sponsor you.
- The business or its associated entity has nominated you to work in Australia.
- When you are employed in Australia on a 482 visa, you will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD96,400.
- You must be employed in senior management, executive, or professional occupation.
You already hold a licence, registration or membership, which requires you to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency.
Finally, If you hold a licence, registration or membership and have been granted that licence, registration, or membership, or if you had to prove that you have equal or higher English language proficiency than that listed in the table below to be granted the licence, registration or membership, you will not need to demonstrate your English language capability.
Short-term and long-term streams
The following section covers the short-term and long-term stream English requirements for the 482 Visa. The short-term stream enables you to stay in Australia for up to work and live in Australia for up to 2 years or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years. The long-term stream enabled you to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years, with Hong Kong passport holders allowed to stay up to 5 years.
Notably, the different streams have different occupation lists. You need an occupation on one of the lists to qualify for a 482 visa. We recommend you check out the following article for more information about the different occupation lists. Australia 482 Visa Occupation Lists. (Article opens in a new tab)
Short term stream
If you are applying for a 482 Visa under the Short-Term Stream and you do not fall within one of the above exemptions above, and you want to apply for a 482 Sponsored Visa, you will need to prove your English language proficiency.
To qualify, you will need to achieve the required test scores set out in the table below, in a single attempt at the test and complete the test within three years before the date of submitting a valid visa application.
For the Short-term stream, the English language tests you can take, and the required results are as follows:
| Test | Required results |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | An overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each test component. |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | A score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of speaking and writing |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | An academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each of the test components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each test component. |
Medium-term stream
If you do not fall within one of the above exemptions above, and you want to apply for a 482 Sponsored Visa, you will need to prove your English language proficiency. To qualify, you will need to achieve the required test scores set out in the table below, in a single attempt at the test and complete the test within 3 years before the date of submitting a valid visa application.
- achieve the required test scores set out in the table below, in a single attempt at the test
- complete the test within 3 years before the date of submitting a valid visa application
For the Medium-term stream, the English language tests you can take, and the required results are as follows:
| Test | Required results |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | An overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 5 in each test component. |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | A score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 4 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 14 for each of the test components of speaking and writing |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | An academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 36 in each of the test components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | An overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 154 in each test component. |
Just to close off a couple more questions that we are sometimes asked in relation to English Language Testing Requirements for the 482 Visa.
Who is exempt from IELTS in Australia?
IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. As you will see from the table above – IELTS is just of the recognised exams you can take to prove your English language proficiency.
Fair to say IELTS was the first company to be used to recognise someone’s English capability. There are several different exams which can now be taken. With this in mind, if you are asking who is exempt from IELTS in Australia? Replace the term “IELTS” with “English Language Proficiency“. The information we have provided above helps answer this question.
How long is IELTS valid for 482 visas?
Do you need an English Test For the 482 Visa? – A Summary
hi,am victor,i want the IELTS test.
Hey Victor, we recommend doing a google search for the term
IELTS testing centres in – insert your location –
To find a location near you where you can take the IELTS test.
I work in accounting. I have seven years of experience with this software (Xero, myob, quickbooks) in Australia accounting. I need to apply for a 482 visa.
How much does it cost for IELTS TEST if you are looking for accountant Job