Australia Updates English Test Rules for Subclass 482 Visa, Adds 3 New Options

Australia has officially passed new legislation setting out English test requirements for the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482). The changes which come into effect on 13 September 2025 add more flexibility for applicants, but also bring new score benchmarks depending on when the test was taken.

New English Tests Added

Previously, visa applicants had to take accepted tests like IELTS Academic or General Training, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Occupational English Test (OET), and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Now, three more tests have been added to the list of officially recognised English language tests for this visa:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
• LANGUAGECERT Academic Test
• Michigan English Test (MET)

This expansion broadens options for applicants worldwide, allowing more accessible paths to demonstrate English proficiency.

Score Requirements and Retake Rules

The scoring requirements vary depending on when the test was taken. If you completed your test before September 13, 2025, you must meet the previous rules, which require achieving minimum scores in all sections in a single sitting without the option to retake individual skills.

However, for tests taken on or after September 13, 2025, you can retake individual test components you didn’t pass, thanks to the Single Skill Retake (SSR) policy available for some tests, like IELTS and MET.

Also, the minimum scores are standardised across the new set of tests. For example, a CELPIP General test taker must score at least 5 in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking to qualify.

Here’s a snapshot of minimum scores for tests taken after September 13, 2025:

Exemptions from Testing

Certain applicants don’t need to prove English proficiency by testing at all. You may be exempt if you meet any of the following:

• You hold a passport from Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, or the USA.
• You’ve completed at least five years of full-time study in English at a secondary or tertiary institution, with evidence of courses taken mostly in English.
• Your nominated Australian occupation requires a license, registration, or membership, and you demonstrated the required English proficiency when granted these credentials.
• You are an employee of an overseas business nominated to work in Australia with guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400.

Labour Agreement Stream

If you are applying under a labour agreement, the English requirement depends on what is stated in that specific agreement between the employer and the government.

What This Means for Applicants

The update offers applicants more test options and slightly more flexible scoring rules. However, it also sets a clear difference between tests taken before and after 13 September 2025. Timing is important, so anyone preparing now should choose their test date carefully.