If you’re considering working in Australia under an employer-sponsored visa, meeting the English language requirements is important. Australia emphasizes English proficiency to ensure workers can communicate effectively in the workplace and adapt to life in the country.
In this article, we’ll explore the English language requirements for the key employer-sponsored visas: the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa (subclass 494), and the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (subclass 186).
These requirements vary depending on the visa stream and can be met through several accepted English tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and CAE.
English Language Requirements for Australia’s Employer-Sponsored Visas
This guide highlights the specific English proficiency requirements for the most common employer-sponsored visas.
These requirements can be met through various recognized English tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and CAE.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482
The TSS visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for temporary positions. Depending on the visa stream (Short-term, Medium-term, or Labour Agreement), applicants must meet specific English language test scores.
Also, please check the new changes made for the subclass 482 TSS visa.
English Language Test Scores for TSS Visa (Subclass 482)
| Visa Stream | IELTS (General/Academic) | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced) |
| Short-term stream | Overall 5.0 (min 4.5 each) | Overall 36 (min 30) | Overall 35 (min 3 each) | Overall 154 (min 147 each) |
| Medium-term stream | Overall 5.0 (min 5.0 each) | Overall 36 (min 36) | Overall 35 (min 4 each) | Overall 154 (min 154 each) |
Example: If you’re applying under the Short-term stream, you can take the IELTS with a score of 5.0 overall and a minimum of 4.5 in each section. Alternatively, you could take the PTE Academic, where you’ll need an overall score of 36 with a minimum of 30 in each component.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa – Subclass 494
The SESR visa is aimed at addressing labor shortages in regional Australia, offering a pathway to permanent residency. As a longer-term visa, its English requirements are higher compared to the TSS visa.
Accepted English Tests for SESR Visa (Subclass 494)
For the SESR Visa, applicants must demonstrate Competent English. The minimum required test scores are:
| Test Type | Minimum Required Score |
| IELTS | Overall 6.0 (min 6.0 each) |
| PTE Academic | Overall 50 (min 50 each) |
| TOEFL iBT | Minimum 12 in listening, 21 in writing, 13 in reading, and 18 in speaking |
| CAE | Overall 169 (min 169 each) |
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa – Subclass 186
The ENS visa is a direct route to permanent residency and requires workers to show a higher level of English proficiency. The language requirements here mirror those for the SESR visa, as this visa typically leads to long-term settlement in Australia.
This visa has three different streams, depending on your situation:
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): This stream is for people who already hold a TSS or Subclass 457 visa and have worked for the same employer in their nominated job for at least two of the past three years before being nominated for permanent residency.
- Direct Entry (DE): If you haven’t held a temporary visa before, this stream lets employers nominate skilled workers directly for permanent residency. The job you’re being nominated for must be on the relevant occupation list when you apply.
- Labour Agreement (LA) Stream: This one is for people whose employer has a special agreement with the government (called a Labour Agreement). If you don’t qualify for the TRT or DE streams, this could be an option.
English Proficiency Requirements for ENS Visa
The same “Competent English” standard applies, and you can meet it through any of the following test scores:
| Test Type | Minimum Required Score |
| IELTS | Overall 6.0 (min 6.0 each) |
| PTE Academic | Overall 50 (min 50 each) |
| TOEFL iBT | Minimum 12 in listening, 21 in writing, 13 in reading, and 18 in speaking |
| CAE | Overall 169 (min 169 each) |
Exemptions from English Testing
In some cases, applicants are exempt from the English language testing requirements. You may qualify for an exemption if:
- You hold a passport from an English-speaking country, such as the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand.
- You’ve completed five years of full-time study in English.
- You’re applying for specific roles (e.g., diplomatic positions) where English proficiency tests may not be required.
Conclusion
It’s really important to meet the English language requirements for your visa to make sure your application goes smoothly.
Choose the English test that suits you best, whether it’s IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAE, and aim to get the scores you need.
Preparing well in advance will make the whole visa process easier and boost your chances of landing a job in Australia.