Skills in Demand SC482 English Test Changes as of 13 September 2025
The Department of Home Affairs has updated the Legislative Instrument for Language Test Requirements relating to the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa program, specifically under the Specialist Skills Stream and Core Skills Stream.
Effective from 13 September 2025, any English tests undertaken will need to meet the revised requirements, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption. Applications can still be lodged with English tests that were undertaken prior to 13 September 2025, should they still fall in the validity period.
These changes are important for anyone preparing to apply for a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa in Australia, who does not meet the language test exemption, to ensure they are still meeting the correct English requirements.
Below is a breakdown of the changes:
| Test | Accepted Scores BEFORE 13 September 2025 | Accepted Scores FROM 13 September 2025 |
| CELPIP General | Not applicable | Listening 5 Reading 5 Writing 5 Speaking 5 |
| IELTS Academic | Overall or at least 5 At least 5 in each band | Listening 5.0 Reading 5.0 Writing 5.0 Speaking 5.0 |
| IELTS General Training | Not applicable | Listening 5.0 Reading 5.0 Writing 5.0 Speaking 5.0 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not applicable | Listening 41 Reading 44 Writing 45 Speaking 38 |
| MET | Not applicable | Listening 49 Reading 47 Writing 45 Speaking 38 |
| OET | Grade B in each component | Listening 220 Reading 240 Writing 200 Speaking 270 |
| PTE Academic | Overall or equal to 36 At least 36 in each component | Listening 33 Reading 36 Writing 29 Speaking 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall or at least 35 Listening and Reading at least 4 Speaking and Writing at least 14 | Listening 8 Reading 8 Writing 9 Speaking 14 |
| Cambridge (CAE) | Overall or at least 154 At least 154 in each component | No longer accepted for Skills in Demand (SID) visas |
What this means for visa applicants
If you have taken an English test prior to 13 September 2025, ensure you meet the previous requirements.
If taken after 13 September 2025, ensure you meet the new requirements.
Further information or questions
For further information, please contact our office by submitting an online enquiry, or calling us on 1300 083 843.