{"id":"F2025L01066","name":"Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025","slug":"migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442953,"registerId":"F2025L01066-fast-fetch-1775957868468","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nLIN 25/082\n\n \n\nMigration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025\n\nI, Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration, make the following instrument.\n\nDated 8 September 2025\n\nMatt Thistlethwaite\n\nAssistant Minister for Immigration\n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Schedules\n\nPart 2—Specified language test requirements\n\n6  Language test requirements\n\n7  Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument\n\nPart 3—Application provisions\n\n8  Application of this instrument\n\nSchedule 1–Repeals\n\nMigration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024\n\n \n\n \n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on 13 September 2025.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\n4  Definitions\n\nNote: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations 1994, including the following:\n\n(a) AUD;\n\n(b) standard business sponsor.\n\n  In this instrument:\n\napproved English language test: see subsection 6(3).\n\nexempt applicant means:\n\n (a) an applicant who is a citizen of, and who holds a valid passport issued by, one of the following countries:\n\n (i) Canada;\n\n (ii) New Zealand;\n\n (iii) the Republic of Ireland;\n\n (iv) the United Kingdom;\n\n (v) the United States of America; or\n\n (b) an applicant who has completed at least 5 years of full‑time study in a secondary education institution or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English; or\n\n (c) an applicant who has been nominated by a standard business sponsor in relation to an occupation that will be performed at:\n\n (i) a diplomatic or consular mission of another country; or\n\n (ii) an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan located in Australia; or\n\n (d) an applicant:\n\n (i) who has been nominated in relation to an occupation that requires the applicant to hold a licence, registration, or membership to perform the occupation; and\n\n (ii) who has been granted that license, registration, or membership; and\n\n (iii) who, for the purposes of the grant of that license, registration, or membership, was required to demonstrate a level of English language proficiency that is equivalent to, or better than, the level of English language proficiency that is required to achieve the required test scores for an approved English language test that the applicant would have been required to achieve but for this paragraph; or\n\n (e) an applicant who:\n\n (i) is employed by a company operating an established business overseas; and\n\n (ii) is nominated by a standard business sponsor who is that company or an associated entity of that company; and\n\n (iii) will receive annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400.\n\nfull‑time study means:\n\n (a) in relation to a secondary education institution in a particular country—the standard number of contact hours that a student would undertake in that country; or\n\n (b) in relation to a higher education institution—the completion of at least 3 subjects in each semester or trimester of study.\n\noverall band score means a test score calculated from the makeup of the scores received for each of the English test components.\n\nRegulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\nrequired test scores, for an approved English language test: see subsection 6(4).\n\ntest component: each of the following is a test component of an approved English language test:\n\n (a) listening;\n\n (b) reading;\n\n (c) speaking;\n\n (d) writing.\n\n5  Schedules\n\n  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.\n\n\n\n\nPart 2—Specified language test requirements\n\n6  Language test requirements\n\n (1) This section specifies language test requirements for the purposes of subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.\n\n (2) The language test requirements for an applicant for a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa in the Specialist Skills stream or Core Skills stream (other than an exempt applicant) are that:\n\n (a) the applicant took an approved English language test; and\n\n (b) the applicant achieved the required test scores for the approved English language test from:\n\n (i) if the applicant achieved the required test scores in all the applicable test components in one sitting on a particular day (the test day)—the test undertaken by the applicant on the test day; or\n\n (ii) if the applicant was required to re-sit a test component on a day after the test day to achieve the required test score for that component (the re-sit test day)—the tests undertaken by the applicant on the test day and on the re-sit test day; and\n\n (c) the test day is not more than 3 years before the day on which the applicant provided evidence of the matter mentioned in paragraph (b).\n\n (3) Each of the following is an approved English language test:\n\n (a)  Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General);\n\n (b) International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic (IELTS Academic);\n\n (c) International English Language Test System (IELTS) General Training (IELTS General Training);\n\n (d) LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic);\n\n (e) Michigan English Test (MET);\n\n (f) Occupational English Test (OET);\n\n (g) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic);\n\n (h) Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).\n\n (4) The required test scores for an approved English language test are to be worked out using the following table.\n\n \n\n- Required test scores\n- Item If the approved English language test is … the required test scores for that test are …\n- 1 CELPIP General | 5 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 5 (reading) |\n| 5 (writing) |\n| 5 (speaking) |\n- 2 IELTS Academic | 5.0 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 5.0 (reading) |\n| 5.0 (writing) |\n| 5.0 (speaking) |\n- 3 IELTS General Training | 5.0 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 5.0 (reading) |\n| 5.0 (writing) |\n| 5.0 (speaking) |\n- 4 LANGUAGECERT Academic | 41 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 44 (reading) |\n| 45 (writing) |\n| 54 (speaking) |\n- 5 MET | 49 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 47 (reading) |\n| 45 (writing) |\n| 38 (speaking) |\n- 6 OET | 220 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 240 (reading) |\n| 200 (writing) |\n| 270 (speaking) |\n- 7 PTE Academic | 33 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 36 (reading) |\n| 29 (writing) |\n| 24 (speaking) |\n- 8 TOEFL iBT | 8 (listening) |\n| --- |\n| 8 (reading) |\n| 9 (writing) |\n| 14 (speaking) |\n\n\n \n\n7  Specified evidence of English language proficiency—tests undertaken before commencement of this instrument\n\n (1) For the purposes of subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the requirements under subsection (2) are specified in relation to a person (other than an exempt applicant) who makes an application for a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa in the Specialist Skills stream or the Core Skills stream on or after the day this instrument commences, where:\n\n (a) the applicant has undertaken an English language test specified under subsection (2) on a particular day (the test day); and\n\n (b) the applicant has achieved the required test scores specified under subsection (2) for the relevant specified English language test taken by the visa applicant on the test day in a single attempt at that test; and\n\n (c) the test day is in the period of 3 years immediately before the day on which the relevant visa application was made; and\n\n (d) the test was undertaken before the day on which this instrument commences.\n\n (2) For the purposes of this section and subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the English language tests and required test scores in the following table are specified.\n\n \n\n- Required test scores\n- Item If the approved English language test is … the required test scores for that test are …\n- 1 the International English Language Testing System (the IELTS) (a) an overall band score of at least 5.0; and(b) a score of at least 5.0 for each test component of the IELTS.\n- 2 the Occupational English Test (the OET) (a) a score of at least B for each test component of the OET.\n- 3 the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (the TOEFL) (a) an overall band score of at least 35; and(b) for the listening and reading test components of the TOEFL—a score of at least 4; and(c) for the speaking and writing test components of the TOEFL—a score of at least 14.\n- 4 the Pearson Test of English Academic (the PTE) (a) an overall band score of at least 36; and(b) a score of at least 36 for each test component of the PTE.\n- 5 the Cambridge English: Advanced test (the CAE) (a) an overall band score of at least 154; and(b) a score of at least 154 for each test component of the CAE.\n\n\n\n\n\nPart 3—Application provisions\n\n8  Application of this instrument\n\n  This instrument applies in relation to a visa application that is made on or after the day on which the instrument commences.\n\n\n\n\nSchedule 1–Repeals\n\nMigration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024\n\n1  The whole of the instrument\n\nRepeal the instrument.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying English language test requirements for Subclass 482 visa applicants. While it expands the number of accepted tests compared to the 2024 instrument it replaces, this is a natural evolution within the same scope rather than scope creep. The exemption categories are detailed but directly related to the core function of determining who must prove English proficiency."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested exemption categories in the 'exempt applicant' definition (5 distinct exemption pathways with sub-paragraphs)","Dual scoring systems: different score tables for tests taken before vs after instrument commencement (Section 6 vs Section 7)","Cross-references to Migration Regulations 1994 (subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1))","Conditional logic for 'test splicing' — allowing results from original test day plus re-sit day to be combined (Section 6(2)(b))","Defined terms requiring external reference (regulation 1.03 of Migration Regulations for 'standard business sponsor' and 'AUD')","Specific numerical thresholds across 8 different testing systems with 4 components each (32 distinct score requirements)"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation sets out the English language test requirements for people applying for a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) work visa in Australia.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Tells visa applicants which English tests are accepted and what scores they need to achieve\n- Lists **8 approved English tests** including IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and others\n- Sets specific minimum scores for each test component (listening, reading, writing, speaking)\n- Allows test results from up to **3 years before** the visa application date\n- Permits \"test splicing\" — combining results from different test dates if needed to meet requirements\n\n**Who is exempt (doesn't need to take a test):**\n- Citizens of Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, UK, or USA with valid passports\n- People who completed **5+ years of full-time study** in English at secondary or university level\n- People working at foreign diplomatic missions or Taiwan's representative office in Australia\n- People whose occupation requires a licence/registration that already required equivalent English proficiency\n- High-earners making at least **AUD $96,400** per year, employed by an overseas company being transferred to an associated Australian business\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis instrument replaces the 2024 version and expands the range of accepted English tests (adding CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT, and MET). It gives visa applicants more flexibility in how they prove their English skills while maintaining standards for workplace communication in Australia.\n\n**Key change from previous rules:**\nThe legislation also includes transitional rules for people who took older tests (like Cambridge English: Advanced) before this instrument started — their results still count if they meet the old score requirements."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument repeals the prior Migration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024 in full (Schedule 1) and replaces the specified English language test regime for Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa applicants in the Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams. It does so by (a) listing the approved tests accepted post‑commencement (section 6(3)); (b) specifying component‑level minimum scores for those tests (section 6(4)); (c) setting rules for combining an initial sitting with a single later re‑sit and a 3‑year evidence window (section 6(2)); and (d) providing transitional specifications for test results obtained before commencement with a separate table of acceptable scores (section 7). The instrument therefore changes the operative specification of which tests and scores satisfy the English requirement for applications made on or after commencement (sections 2 and 8)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple approved test types with different scoring scales (CELPIP, IELTS, LANGUAGECERT, MET, OET, PTE, TOEFL) (section 6(3))","Component‑level minimum scores required for each test (listening, reading, writing, speaking) rather than a single overall threshold (section 6(4))","Allowance to combine scores from an initial sitting and a later single‑component re‑sit, with a 3‑year validity window for evidence (section 6(2)(b)–(c))","Transitional provisions accepting a different set of pre‑commencement tests and scores (including Cambridge CAE) with their own thresholds (section 7(2))","Multiple exemption pathways with documentary proof requirements (citizenship/passport, study history, licencing/registration equivalence, intra‑company high‑earners) that interact with sponsors and licensing processes (definition of \"exempt applicant\" in section 4)","Dependence on and interaction with the Migration Regulations (instrument made under subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1)) requiring cross‑reference in practice (section 3)","Repeal of the prior instrument requiring practitioners to replace earlier compliance checks with the new tables (Schedule 1 and section 8)"],"plain_english_summary":"### What this instrument does\n\nThis instrument sets the English language test rules that people must meet when applying for a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa in the Specialist Skills stream or the Core Skills stream. It: \n\n- Names which English tests are accepted (the \"approved English language tests\") and the minimum scores required in each test component (listening, reading, speaking, writing). (See section 6(3) and 6(4)).\n- Allows an applicant to combine results from a same-day test and a later re-sit of one component to meet the required scores, provided the original test day is not more than 3 years before the day the applicant gives evidence. (See section 6(2)(b)–(c)).\n- Lists categories of applicants who are exempt from these test requirements (for example, citizens of certain English‑language countries, people with 5 years of full‑time study in English, certain diplomatic/Taiwan office posts, applicants who already hold a required licence/registration demonstrated under licensing processes, and some intra‑company nominations meeting a high earnings threshold). (See the definition of \"exempt applicant\" in section 4.)\n- Provides transitional rules for tests taken before this instrument starts (it specifies what pre‑commencement test results are accepted and the scores that will be treated as meeting the requirement). (See section 7.)\n- Repeals the earlier 2024 instrument that set language test requirements for the same visa subclass. (See Schedule 1.)\n\nThis instrument starts to apply to visa applications made on or after 13 September 2025 (the commencement date is 13 September 2025 and the instrument applies to applications made on or after commencement). (See sections 2 and 8.)\n\n### Who is affected\n\n- Primary: people applying on or after commencement for a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa in the Specialist Skills or Core Skills streams who are not listed as exempt applicants. These applicants must provide evidence of taking an approved test and attaining the component scores required. (See section 6(2) and the definition of \"exempt applicant\" in section 4.)\n\n- Secondary: standard business sponsors and Australian decision makers handling nominations and visa applications, because they must rely on these specified tests and scores when assessing whether an applicant meets the English requirement. (See section 3 (authority) and sections 6–7.)\n\n### How it works, mechanically\n\n- Approved tests (section 6(3)): CELPIP General; IELTS Academic; IELTS General Training; LANGUAGECERT Academic; MET; OET; PTE Academic; TOEFL iBT.\n\n- Required component scores (section 6(4)): the instrument lists a numeric or band/grade minimum for each test and for each component (listening, reading, writing, speaking). For example, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training require 5.0 in each component; PTE Academic requires component minima such as 33 listening, 36 reading, 29 writing, 24 speaking; TOEFL iBT requires 8 listening, 8 reading, 9 writing, 14 speaking, etc. (See section 6(4) for the full table.)\n\n- Test validity and combining sittings (section 6(2)): an applicant may rely on a single sitting in which all component minima were met, or on one sitting plus a later re‑sit of one component to reach the required score for that component. The relevant test day must be within 3 years of the day the applicant provides evidence.\n\n- Transitional evidence for tests taken before commencement (section 7): the instrument specifies which older test results will be accepted for up to 3 years before the application date and what scores count (e.g. earlier formulations of IELTS, OET, TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge CAE are listed with specified thresholds). This provides a bridge for applicants who sat tests under prior arrangements before the instrument began. (See section 7(2) for the table.)\n\n- Repeal of prior instrument (Schedule 1): the entire Migration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024 is repealed, and this instrument replaces those specified rules. (See Schedule 1.)\n\n### Costs, incentives and practical effects (mechanisms, not judgments)\n\n- Who pays: applicants will need to obtain an approved test and evidence that they met the scores (including paying test fees and any re‑sit fees where needed). This follows from the requirement that the applicant \"took an approved English language test\" and \"achieved the required test scores\" (section 6(2)(a)–(b)).\n\n- Incentives and behaviour: applicants who are not exempt must plan to meet component‑level minima (not just overall scores). The instrument permits a single component re‑sit after an initial sitting, which creates an incentive to re‑sit a weak component rather than retaking the whole test (section 6(2)(b)).\n\n- Compliance burden: applicants must assemble documentary evidence showing test dates and component scores within the 3‑year validity window (section 6(2)(c)). Exempt applicants must hold the specified passports, study records, licences/registrations, or employer/salary evidence described in the definition of \"exempt applicant\" (section 4). Decision makers will need to verify these documents against the detailed thresholds in sections 6 and 7.\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and interaction with other rules: the instrument is made under subclauses 482.222(1) and 482.232(1) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 and therefore operates as the specified English requirement those regulation subclauses refer to (section 3). The instrument itself fixes the objective test types and scores; application of those tests to individual visa decisions remains part of the visa/nominations process under the Regulations.\n\n### Trade‑offs, opportunity costs and risks (mechanical effects to monitor)\n\n- Multiple test types and component minima require practitioners and applicants to read the tables carefully to select appropriate tests and understand component thresholds (sections 6(3) and 6(4)).\n\n- Transitional acceptance of some older tests (including Cambridge CAE for pre‑commencement tests) means applicants who tested before commencement have specific acceptable scores (section 7), which may differ from the post‑commencement accepted tests and scores; this creates a need for case‑by‑case verification.\n\n- Repeal of the 2024 instrument (Schedule 1) means that previous specifications no longer apply and must be replaced in decision‑making by the rules in this instrument (Schedule 1 and sections 6–7). Practitioners must ensure they refer to this instrument for applications made on or after commencement (section 8).\n\n### Where to look in the instrument\n\n- Definitions and exemptions: section 4.\n- Core test rules and component minima: section 6 (subsections 6(2)–6(4)).\n- Transitional rules for pre‑commencement tests: section 7.\n- Commencement and operation date: sections 2 and 8.\n- Repeal of the 2024 instrument: Schedule 1.\n"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025","history":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-english-language-test-requirements-for-subclass-482-visas-instrument-2025/documents"}}