For applicants on or moving toward a 482 employer-sponsored visa or a 485 Graduate visa, English proficiency is a fixed requirement. Not optional, not a point booster  a pass-or-fail condition.

On 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs updated the approved English tests and the PTE Academic minimum scores for visa purposes. If you are preparing for either of these visas and you plan to use PTE Academic, the new component minimums apply. This blog explains exactly what changed, where people go wrong, and how to prepare.

For the full overview of August 2025 changes across all visa types, read the PTE Score Changes August 2025 guide.

What English Level Do 482 and 485 Visas Require?

Both the Skills in Demand visa (which replaced the subclass 482 in late 2023) and the subclass 485 Graduate visa require Competent English at minimum.

Competent English under the new PTE Academic benchmarks means: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54. Each component must individually meet these scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Competent English.

For the 482 visa specifically and now the Skills in Demand visa that replaced it Competent English is required for the visa applicant unless an exemption applies. The exemption most people think applies to them (certain passport holders from the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand) does apply, but check your specific subclass conditions. The 482 Visa Guide for Employers and Workers covers eligibility in full.

How the August 2025 Change Affects 482 and 485 Applicants

The core change is this: PTE Academic now uses different minimum scores for each skill. Before August 2025, many applicants worked toward a general threshold roughly 50 across the board for Competent English. The new rules set individual minimums per component, and they are not uniform.

Writing at 51 and Speaking at 54 are higher than the previous thresholds in those areas. Listening at 47 and Reading at 48 are actually slightly different from what many applicants expected. The net effect: if you are preparing for the test using older study materials or old score benchmarks, you may be aiming at the wrong targets.

The change applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. If your test was completed before that date, the old thresholds still apply and your result is valid for up to 3 years from the test date. Confirm validity periods on the official Home Affairs English language page.

The Most Common Mistakes With PTE for These Visas

Mistake 1: Scoring well overall but falling short in one component.This is the most frequent issue. A candidate might score 55 in Listening, 55 in Reading, 55 in Speaking but only 48 in Writing. Under the new rules, Writing must be 51. The overall average looks fine. The application does not pass. Each component is assessed independently.

Mistake 2: Using the wrong PTE test version.PTE Academic is the accepted test. PTE Core (a general proficiency test not designed for migration) is not accepted for Australian visa purposes. If you are booking your test, make sure you are sitting PTE Academic.

Mistake 3: Submitting a remote-proctored test result.Tests completed at home including some online versions are not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. Your test must be taken at an approved testing centre.

Mistake 4: Not checking score validity before lodging.If your score is within a few months of the 3-year validity period, it could expire during processing. Check your test date carefully before you submit your application.

What to Do If You Have a Weak Component

The answer depends on which component is short. Writing and Speaking tend to require the most targeted preparation because they involve active production, not just comprehension.

For Writing, consistent practice with PTE-specific writing tasks summarise written text, essay is the most effective approach. Generic essay writing will not replicate the PTE format well enough.

For Speaking, the key challenge is the time-pressured response format. Fluency matters more than vocabulary range. Short, clear, structured answers score better than long, hesitant ones.

The guide on improving your PTE score for Australian visa success covers section-specific strategies in detail. If you prefer structured coaching with feedback, the Desire Immigration PTE preparation program covers all four components.

Alternatives if PTE is Consistently Difficult for You

IELTS Academic remains the most commonly used alternative. The Competent English threshold for IELTS has not changed: 6.0 in each component Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.

CELPIP General is now also accepted after August 2025, with a minimum of 7 per component for Competent English. It uses everyday language and is fully computer-based. Some applicants find it more natural than PTE Academic.

LanguageCert Academic is another option, particularly for applicants who prefer a paper-based format. Minimum for Competent is Listening 57, Reading 60, Writing 64, Speaking 70. Full details in the LanguageCert Exam guide for Australian Immigration.

For a direct comparison between PTE and IELTS across format, difficulty, and cost, read PTE vs IELTS for Australia Immigration.

Planning Your Path from 485 to PR

If you are on the 485 Graduate visa and working toward PR, your English score becomes a points asset not just a pass condition. Moving from Competent to Proficient adds 10 points to your skilled migration score. Moving to Superior adds 20.

At the current competition level for 189 and 190 invitations, those points matter. The Australia PR Points Calculator will show you exactly where English fits in your overall profile and where you are in relation to current cutoff scores.

For a full understanding of the immigration changes affecting employer-sponsored visa pathways in 2025, Australia Immigration Changes July 2025 covers the Skills in Demand visa transition and TSMIT increases in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What PTE score is needed for the Skills in Demand (former 482) visa in 2026?A: Competent English is required: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54 for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Q: Do the August 2025 PTE changes apply to the 485 Graduate visa?A: Yes. If your PTE test was taken on or after 7 August 2025, the new component minimums apply. Tests taken before that date follow the old thresholds for up to 3 years.

Q: Can I use CELPIP instead of PTE for the 485 visa?A: Yes. CELPIP General is now accepted for Australian visa purposes. You need at least 7 in each component for Competent English. Confirm with Home Affairs that your specific visa subclass accepts it.

Q: What if my PTE Writing score is consistently below the minimum?A: Focus specifically on PTE Academic Writing tasks summarise written text and the essay. Generic writing practice will not replicate the test format. Consider structured PTE coaching that includes scored practice tests and individual feedback.

All score data in this article is sourced from the official Department of Home Affairs website: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Always verify requirements directly on the official site before lodging any visa application, as immigration rules can change.