The Department of Home Affairs has announced important updates to English language test requirements for Australian visas. These changes affect both the range of tests accepted and the requirements for specific visas, including the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa.
The number of English Language Tests (ELT) accepted for Australian visa purposes has increased from five to nine.
- This change aims to ensure more consistent scoring across providers.
- Applicants now have greater flexibility and choice when demonstrating their English proficiency.
For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 using the previously accepted providers, those results will remain valid for their normal validity periods (depending on visa eligibility).
If you are applying for a visa that requires English evidence, make sure that you:
- take a test that is accepted for your visa type; and
- achieve the minimum required test score.
Changes to the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
English language requirements for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) will not change until 13 September 2025.
From that date:
- Three new tests will be available to meet the 482 English requirement.
- Some existing test score requirements will change to align with the Vocational level of English proficiency under the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN25/016).
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025 will no longer be accepted for 482 purposes.
- Applicants who sit a test offering a single-skill retake may be able to rely on those results if the test is one of the accepted providers.
For tests taken before 13 September 2025, results will continue to be valid for three years for the subclass 482, provided they meet the score requirements set out in the Migration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024.
Exemptions to English testing for the subclass 482 remain unchanged. For applicants under the Labour Agreement stream, English requirements may be set out in the terms of the agreement between the employer and the Commonwealth.