top of page
Search

482 (SID) visa English update: what changed on 13 September 2025—and why it helps applicants

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) updated the Skills in Demand (SID) visa – subclass 482 English page on 13 September 2025, introducing a “tests taken on or after 13 September 2025” standard. The big news: PTE Academic minimums were reduced, several new tests are now accepted, and the rules align to the Vocational English benchmark.


ree


The new minimum scores (tests taken on/after 13 Sep 2025)

  • PTE Academic: Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29, Speaking 24.

  • IELTS (General or Academic): 5.0 in each band (unchanged).

  • TOEFL iBT: Listening 8, Reading 8, Writing 9, Speaking 14.

  • OET: Listening 220, Reading 240, Writing 200, Speaking 270 (numeric sub-scores).

  • CELPIP General: 5 in each component.

  • LanguageCert Academic: Listening 41, Reading 44, Writing 45, Speaking 54.

  • MET (Michigan English Test): Listening 49, Reading 47, Writing 45, Speaking 38.



How this compares to the former settings (before 13 Sep 2025)

  • PTE Academic used to require 36 in each component → now lowered to 33/36/29/24 (L/R/W/S). That’s a practical win for many candidates who were just below old thresholds.

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) was previously accepted (154 in each skill); it is no longer accepted for SID 482 under the new framework.

  • Accepted test menu expanded: CELPIP, LanguageCert Academic, and MET are newly available options for 482 from this change, giving applicants more pathways to qualify.



Why this is good news for 482 SID applicants

  1. Lower PTE thresholds mean strong, work-ready candidates who narrowly missed earlier cut-offs can qualify sooner—often without months of extra classes.

  2. More test choices (CELPIP, LanguageCert Academic, MET) help applicants pick the format that suits their strengths and local test-centre availability.

  3. The rules now mirror “Vocational English” definitions used across DHA guidance, bringing clarity and consistency for employers and applicants alike.

  4. Single-skill retake options (where offered by test providers) can fix one weak band without restarting everything.



Quick FAQs

  • Do older scores still count? Yes—tests taken before 13 Sep 2025 can still be used if they meet the earlier rules and are within validity. DHA flagged the 13 Sep 2025 transition on the 482 page and through updates leading up to this change.

  • Who is exempt from testing? Typical exemptions include citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland; five years of full-time English-medium study; or certain licensing/registration pathways. Check exemptions carefully before booking a test.



If you’re targeting a 482 (SID) visa, the reduced PTE component scores and newly accepted tests make meeting the English requirement more achievable—and faster—without lowering workplace communication standards.

bottom of page