PTE Score Required for 482 Visa Australia 2026: Skills in Demand Requirements

Quick Answer: For the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams, PTE Academic needs at least Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29 and Speaking 24. You must meet every component minimum. There is no separate overall score requirement in the current instrument.

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Last updated: 2 October 2026 (checked against the Home Affairs legislation)

Hey guys, Alex here.

The English rules for the 482 visa changed, and a lot of older articles (including an earlier version of this one) still describe the old Short-Term and Medium-Term streams with flat PTE scores of 36 and 50. That is out of date. Here is what applies now.

What is the 482 visa?

The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is Australia’s main employer-sponsored temporary work visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024 and has three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement.

The English requirement is set by a legislative instrument, LIN 25/082, which commenced on 13 September 2025. It covers the Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams. For the Labour Agreement stream, English requirements come from the labour agreement between your employer and the Australian Government.

PTE score requirements for the 482 visa (2026)

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
PTE Academic	33	36	29	24
IELTS (Academic or General Training)	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
TOEFL iBT	8	8	9	14
OET	220	240	200	270

These are minimums in each component, taken from the instrument itself. If you sat your test before 13 September 2025, an older table can apply (PTE 36 overall and 36 in each component, in a single attempt). Check which rule applies to your test date.

Component scores are just as important as overall

Every component has its own minimum, and there is no averaging. If you score Listening 40, Reading 40, Speaking 40 but Writing 28, you do not meet the requirement. This is why we always tell students to look at the section scores on the score report, not just the headline number.

The minimums are different for each skill. Speaking needs only 24 while Reading needs 36, so a strong Speaking score does not cover a weak Reading score.

Exemptions

You do not need to sit a test if you are an exempt applicant. Under the instrument, that includes:

• Citizens who hold a valid passport from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
• Applicants with at least 5 years of full-time study in a secondary or higher education institution where instruction was in English.
• Applicants nominated for an occupation at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country, or an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan in Australia.
• Applicants whose occupation requires a licence, registration or membership that they hold, and who had to show equal or higher English to get it.
• Employees of an established overseas business, nominated by that company or an associated entity, with annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400.

Exemption rules have conditions. Confirm yours with Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.

PTE vs IELTS for the 482 visa

Both are approved, and the required levels are comparable. Most of our students choose PTE because it is fully computer-based, results usually arrive quickly, and scoring is consistent. See our full comparison: PTE vs IELTS: which is easier for Australia? and the PTE to IELTS conversion table.

What score should you target?

Aim comfortably above every minimum, because one weak component can sink an otherwise good result. A sensible target is a clear buffer in each section (for example 10 or more points above the minimum), especially in Writing and Reading where marks can swing between sittings. Use our PTE score calculator to see where you stand, and practise with exam-format questions on the practice platform.

Think ahead: the 482 to PR pathway

If you plan to move from a 482 to permanent residency later, the English bar is usually higher. Home Affairs now publishes component minimums for each English level, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

English level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Older flat score (tests on or before 6 Aug 2025)
Vocational	33	36	29	24	36 in each
Competent	47	48	51	54	50 in each
Proficient	58	59	69	76	65 in each
Superior	69	70	85	88	79 in each

Which level a given visa needs depends on the visa. For the skilled migration scores and points, see our PTE score guide for the 189, 190 and 491 visas.

How long is your PTE score valid?

The legislation requires the test day to be no more than 3 years before you provide the evidence. Pearson lists PTE score reports as valid for 2 years, so check that your score report can still be sent and verified when you lodge. More detail in our PTE score validity guide.

Related reading from Dream English

• How to book the PTE exam in Australia
• PTE 30-day study plan
• Which questions matter most for your score
• How PTE is actually scored

Practical tips for meeting the 482 English requirement

• Check your target for each component, not just the overall score.
• Book early. Test dates fill up and your employer’s timeline may be fixed.
• Practise Writing and Reading under timed, exam-format conditions.
• Keep your score report email and make sure your Pearson account details match your passport.
• Confirm your exemption or test rules with Home Affairs before lodging.

This guide is general information, not migration advice. Dream English teaches PTE and is not a migration agent. Requirements can change, so verify with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.

Frequently Asked Questions: PTE score for 482 visa

What is the minimum PTE score for the 482 visa in Australia?

For the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams, PTE Academic needs at least Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29 and Speaking 24. The rule is set out in the Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/082). Always confirm the current requirement with the Department of Home Affairs before you book or lodge.

Does the 482 visa require PTE in all four components?

Yes. You must meet the minimum in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The current instrument sets component minimums and does not set a separate overall score.

Can I use PTE for the 482 visa, or do I need IELTS?

PTE Academic is an approved test. The instrument also approves IELTS (Academic and General Training), TOEFL iBT, OET, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and the Michigan English Test. You can choose whichever suits you.

Is there a way to avoid taking a PTE test for the 482 visa?

Some applicants are exempt, for example citizens holding a passport from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK or the USA, people with at least 5 years of full-time study in English at secondary or higher education level, and a few other groups. Check the exemption list on this page and with Home Affairs.

How long does my PTE score stay valid for the 482 visa?

The legislation requires the test to be taken no more than 3 years before the evidence is provided. Pearson lists PTE score reports as valid for 2 years, so confirm your score report can still be sent and verified before you lodge.

Ready to Hit Your 482 Visa Score?

Dream English has helped 5,000+ students achieve their PTE immigration scores, with 700+ five-star reviews across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and online.

Start practising and track your component scores: platform.dreamenglish.com.au/pte-practice

Or reach out directly on WhatsApp: +61 423 058 115 – I'll help you work out exactly what you need and how to get there.

• Alex, Director, Dream English Education