Australia has announced plans to introduce changes to the English language test requirements for the Skills in Demand Visa. The Australia Skills in Demand visa is a temporary visa that allows an Australian employer to sponsor a suitably skilled foreign worker for a stay of up to four years.
When applying for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), primary visa applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet certain minimum standards of English language proficiency by taking and achieving a specific result in an English language test, unless exemptions apply.
Australia is set to introduce changes to the English language test requirements for the Skills in Demand Visa (SID) starting on 13 September 2025.
These modifications are expected to give visa applicants greater flexibility and test options by ensuring uniform scoring across test providers.
New Tests for Skills in Demand Visa
3 new tests will be available to visa applicants to meet the Skills in Demand Visa English requirements. Some existing tests and score requirements will also change.
If you are applying for a subclass 482 visa, you must make sure that you take a test that is valid for SID visa purposes and achieve the required test results, based on the date you take your test.
Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025
Australia will align test requirements for SID visa purposes on or after 13 September 2025 with the Vocational level of English proficiency outlined in the Migration Instrument 2025. However, there will be no changes to language testing exemptions for the SID visa.
If you take a test that offers a single-skill retake and it is accepted by the department, you may use these results for your application.
Australia will no longer accept Cambridge C1 Advanced Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025 for the SID visa purposes. If you have booked a test with this provider, you must ensure you take your test before this date.
Tests taken before 13 September 2025
Tests taken before 13 September 2025 will maintain a 3-year validity period for SID visa purposes. Australia will continue to accept these tests, subject to the validity and test score requirements specified in the Migration (Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024.
You are exempt from needing to prove English language proficiency if you have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary level institution and where most classes were in English, or if you will receive a guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD96,400.