ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS for 482 VISA TSS

English language tests and exemptions from testing for applicants:

  • holding valid passports for certain countries
    who have completed 5 years full time study at secondary education or higher education level where the instruction conducted in English
    nominated by an SBS sponsor in relation to an occupation that will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country or Office od Authorities of Taiwan located in Australia
    nominated in an occupation that requires occupational licensing, registration or membership to perform the occupation and was required to demonstrate proficiency in English
    employed by a company operating an established business overseas and nominated by an SBS sponsor of that company or an associated entity of that company and who is paid at least $96,400 pa
    The applicants must have achieved the test results required in the approved test on the test day in a single attempt at the test
  • The test must not be more than 3 years old on the day on which the applicant provided the evidence of the test
RESULTIELTSOETTOEFLPTACAEEXEMPTION
Functional EnglishAn average band score of at least 4.5 for each of the 4 test componentsNAA total band score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components of speaking, reading, writing and listeningAn overall band score of at least 30 for each of the 4 test componentsAn overall band score of at least 147 for each of the four test componentsThe part-time equivalent of 1 year of full-time study towards an award you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland

InstitutionStudy time
a primary school and secondary school where all instruction was in English in or outside AustraliaAll years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary study
a secondary school in or outside Australia where all instruction was in EnglishAt least 5 years of study
an institution in Australia where all instruction was in EnglishAt least 1 year of full-time study towards an award
an institution in Australia where all instruction was in EnglishThe part-time equivalent of 1 year of full-time study towards an award

Vocational English

At least 5 for each of the 4 test componentsAt least B for each of the 4 test componentsAt least 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speakingAt least 36 for each of the 4 test components​At least 154 in each of the 4 test componentsyou are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland

Competent English

At least 6 for each of the 4 componentsAt least B for each of the 4 componentsAt least 50 for each of the 4 componentsAt least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking​At least 169 in each of the 4 componentsyou are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland

Proficient English

At least 7 for each of the 4 test components​At least B for each of the 4 test components​At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speakingAt least 65 for each of the 4 test components​​At least 185 in each of the 4 test components​NA

Superior English

At least 8 for each of the 4 test componentsAt least A for each of the 4 test componentsAt least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speakingAt least 79 for each of the 4 test componentsAt least 200 in each of the 4 test componentsNA

TSS 482 visa english requirments

RESULTIELTSOETTOEFLPTACAEEXEMPTION
482 TSS visa – Short streamIELTS overall average score of 5, with a minimum score of at least 4.5 in each band;OET  this is a test for medical and allied health professionals. A “B pass” is required for all 4 components of the OET;TOEFL iBT: total band score of 35, with at least 3 in Listening and Reading and at least 12 in Speaking and Writing;PTE (Academic): Average band score of 36, with minimum of 30 in each bandCAE Advanced: Average band score of 154, with minimum of 147 in each band.NA
482 TSS visa – Medium / Long streamIELTS at least 5.0 in each test componentOET at least B for each test componentTOEFL at least 35 overall and at least 4 in each test componentPTE at least 36 in each test componentCAE at least 154 in each test componentNA

Competent English

At least 6 for each of the 4 componentsAt least B for each of the 4 componentsAt least 50 for each of the 4 componentsAt least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking​At least 169 in each of the 4 componentsNA

Proficient English

At least 7 for each of the 4 test components​At least B for each of the 4 test components​At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speakingAt least 65 for each of the 4 test components​​At least 185 in each of the 4 test components​NA

Superior English

At least 8 for each of the 4 test componentsAt least A for each of the 4 test componentsAt least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speakingAt least 79 for each of the 4 test componentsAt least 200 in each of the 4 test componentsNA

Functional English – in the 12 months before you applied for the visa.

Vocational English – in the 3 years before you applied for the visa.

Competent English – When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid

SubclassApplicantWhen to provideValidity
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)Main/primaryBy time of applicationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Direct Entry pathwayMain/primaryBy time of applicationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application
Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation
Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation
Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation

For the subclasses 189, 190 and 489 if you are claiming partner points then your partner must also have Competent English at time of invitation.

Proficient English – To prove you have Proficient English, show evidence that in the 3 years before you apply for the visa.

Superior English – To prove you have Superior English, show evidence that in the 3 years before you apply for the visa.

When to provide proof

When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid

SubclassApplicantWhen to provideValidity
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)Main/primaryBy time of applicationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Direct Entry pathwayMain/primaryBy time of applicationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application
Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation
Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation
Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream)Main/primaryBy time of invitationTest cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation

For the subclasses 189, 190 and 489 if you are claiming partner points then your partner must also have Competent English at time of invitation.

SOURCES

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-skill-shortage-482/sufficient-english