English Requirement for Australian Sponsored Work Visa – 482, 494 and 186 Visa
The English requirement is a crucial criterion for Australian visas, particularly for Australian-sponsored work visas like the 482, 494, and 186 visas. The specific English requirement for these visas is determined by the visa subclass and stream you’re applying for.
ONE derland Consulting has summarised the visa English requirement specifically for the Employer-sponsored scheme working visa below, together with the latest update on English requirements in general.
Latest Updates on English Requirements
This section provides the most recent updates on the English requirement for Australian visas, ensuring you have the latest information for your application.
- IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) will be accessible to specific test takers starting on 14 December 2022. Examinees may retake any of the four sections of the OSR exam, speaking, writing, listening, or reading, only once.
- The Department of Home Affairs will accept IELTS test results with OSR for Australian visa purposes; however, applications for subclasses 476, 482 and 485 require scores from a single sitting/attempt.
- As of 5 May 2024, TOEFL iBT exams are accepted as English proficiency examinations for Australian immigration and visa requirements.
- TOEFL iBT tests taken between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and immigration purposes since they were not authorised. Tests conducted before 26 July 2024 are still valid for two years.
- For Australian visa and immigration purposes, the Department of Home Affairs does not currently recognise English-language online exams; therefore, the TOEFL iBT must be taken at a secure testing facility.
- As of 12 February 2024, the examination results acceptable for Australian visa and immigration are those obtained from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE).
- Test results taken before 12 February 2024 for the C1 Advanced computer and paper tests are still accepted.
Read more: English Requirement for Australian Visa – General Information
English Requirements for Australian 482 Visa
The English requirement for the Australian 482 Visa are specified according to the visa stream; short-term stream, medium-term stream or labour agreement stream:
1. English requirement for 482 Visa – Short-term stream
| Test | Desired results |
|---|---|
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | At least an overall band score of 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each test component. |
| OET (Occupational English Test) | At least B in each of the four components. |
| TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test) | A total score of at least 35 with a minimum score of 3 for listening and reading; and a minimum score of 12 for speaking and writing. |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic | A total score of at least 36, with a minimum score of at least 30 in each test component. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | A total score of at least 154 with a minimum score of 147 in each test component. |
2. English requirement for 482 Visa – Medium-term stream
| Test | Desired results |
|---|---|
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | At least an overall band score of 5.0 with a score of at least 5 in each test component. |
| OET (Occupational English Test) | At least B in each of the four components. |
| TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test) | A total score of at least 35 with a minimum score of 4 for listening and reading; and a minimum score of 14 for speaking and writing. |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic | A total score of at least 36, with a minimum score of at least 36 in each test component. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | A total score of at least 154 with a minimum score of 154 in each test component. |
3. English requirement for 482 Visa (Labour agreement stream)
The English requirement for the 482 Visa—Labour Agreement stream would depend on your nominated occupation. The Labour agreement between your employer and the Commonwealth might also specify English requirements
So, checking your nominated occupation first and the labour agreement is best.
This is a friendly reminder that your English test for the short-term or medium-term stream should be completed at least three years before your visa lodgment. You must also get the minimum score in a single attempt.
English Requirement for 494 Visa
The English requirement for the Australian 494 visas is also specified for each stream:
1. English Requirement for 494 Visa – Employer-Sponsored Stream
| Test | Desired results |
|---|---|
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | Minimum scored 6 for every 4 components. |
| OET (Occupational English Test) | Minimum B for every 4 components. |
| TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test) | Minimum 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking. |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic | A minimum score of 50 for every 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Minimums scored 169 in every 4 components. |
2. English Requirement for 494 Visa – Labour Agreement Stream
For the labour agreement stream, you must meet the minimum English level specified in the Labour agreement. You can check the specific English level here.
The exam should have been taken no more than three years before the date of the visa, and you must show proof of meeting the English language requirement at the time of visa application.
186 Visa English Requirement
Similar to the two visas above, the 186 Visa English requirement is also specified based on the stream:
1. Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition stream
Both these streams require you to have at least a Competent Level of English:
| Test | Desired results |
|---|---|
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | Minimum scored 6 for every 4 components. |
| OET (Occupational English Test) | Minimum B for every 4 components. |
| TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test) | Minimum 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking. |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic | A minimum score of 50 for every 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Minimums scored 169 in every 4 components. |
2. Labour Agreement stream
You must achieve the minimum English proficiency required for the labour agreement stream. You may check your specific English level here.
You must provide evidence of the English requirement at the time of visa lodgment, and the test should have been taken at most 3 years prior the lodgment date.
Read more: English Requirements for GSM Visa – All You Need To Know
Are there any exemptions?
Yes, there are English requirement exemptions applicable for the subclass 482 visa.
You are exempted from the English requirement if:
- You are a passport holder of Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
- You have completed at least 5 years of full-time study, with most classes in English, and the study should have been at least in a secondary-level institution. You must provide the name and location of the institution, level of qualification, an official transcript from the secondary or tertiary institution, number of contact hours per week in English, and number of years of study.
- Your nominated occupation will be performed at a diplomatic/consular mission of another country or the Office of the Authorities of Taiwan.
- Your nominated occupation requires you to hold a licence, registration or membership.
- You are an employee of an overseas business that nominated you to work in Australia with guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400.
Learn more about IELTS Test Score: New Student Visa Rules for Australia 2024
What if there are dependents in my applications?
In some cases, the dependent must also meet the minimum visa English requirements, which is Functional English. The evidence of their English proficiency should be taken at most 12 months before visa lodgment. If they don’t meet the English requirement, you might need to pay more to include them as your dependent on your visa application.
We know that you may have many questions about the English requirements that seem simple yet are still complicated for your visa applications, especially for you, the nominated employer skilled workers. Here, find the solutions:
We are here to help you.
Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will assist you and give you complete suggestions about the English requirements you’d like to take for your visa application in Australia.
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