Good news for prospective Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa applicants in the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams - the Australian government has expanded English language testing options and introduced more flexible retake rules.

The changes apply to 482 visa applications lodged on or after 13 September 2025.

From 13 September 2025, you can now use the following additional English tests:

• CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General)
• LANGUAGECERT Academic Test
• Michigan English Test (MET)
  
  

Existing tests remain available:

• IELTS Academic or General Training
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• Cambridge Advanced (C1 Advanced) - previously called Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)
• OET

Your required scores depend on when you took your English test.

Tests taken before 13 September 2025:

• Must use the original score requirements (see ‘Old’ in table below)
• Must achieve required scores in a single attempt (no retakes allowed)
• IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) and MET Single Skill Retake (SSR) are NOT permitted
  
  

Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025:

• New score requirements apply (see ‘New’ in table below)
• You can now retake individual test components if needed
• IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) and MET Single Skill Retake (SSR) are now permitted

Test validity period

English tests remain valid for 3 years from your original test date.

If you retake individual components, the 3-year period still counts from your original test date.

• More test options available
• Can retake individual components (for tests taken after 13 September 2025)
• Same validity period applies
  
  

• Check which requirements apply based on your test date
• If your test was before 13 September 2025, the old requirements apply, and you cannot use retake options