TL;DR
- OET rules changed from 7 August 2025: Australia no longer accepts OET letter grades (A–E) for visas — only numerical scores now apply
- 485 Temporary Graduate visa English requirements updated: OET is assessed using a new overall score method, not individual grades
- PR points now depend on per-skill OET scores: For skilled visas (189/190), English levels are calculated separately for each skill, making Writing and Speaking especially critical
- OET at Home is NOT valid for Australian visas: Only test-centre OET results are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs
For international graduates and healthcare professionals, the English language hurdle just got more specific. While the Occupational English Test (OET) has been a staple for years, the legislative changes introduced on August 7, 2025, have completely reshaped how scores arecalculated for Australian visas.
Here is the bottom line: The "Post-Higher Education Work" stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa now requires an Overall OET Score of 1310. Furthermore, theold "B grade" system has been replaced with precise numerical targets for Competent,Proficient, and Superior English.
If you are preparing for your 485 visa or aiming to claim points for Proficient or Superior English, you must navigate this new numerical landscape. This guide details the exact score breakdowns you need to meet the 2026 requirements.
Deep Dive: What is the OET?
Unlike general tests like IELTS or PTE, the Occupational English Test (OET) is designed specifically for the healthcare sector. It assesses your language skills using real-life medical scenarios—like writing a referral letter or consulting with a patient—rather than asking youto write essays on random topics like "global warming."
Who is it for?
The test is available for 12 specific healthcare professions. The Reading and Listeningsections are the same for everyone, but the Speaking and Writing sections are tailored to your specific job.•
Professions: Dentistry, Dietetics, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy,Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, and Veterinary Science.
Key Facts for 2026 Applicants
• Cost: The standard fee is AUD $587 for all four sub-tests.
• Validity: For Australian visa purposes, the Department of Home Affairs generally accepts scores for 3 years from the test date.
• Delivery Mode: You can take OET on Paper or OET on Computer at a test venue.
Please Note: The Department of Home Affairs DOES NOT accept "OET atHome" (remote proctored) for visa applications. You must sit the test at asecure test centre.
Test Format Breakdown
The test consists of four sub-tests, each scored on a scale from 0 to 500.
1. Listening (approx. 45 mins):
- Same for all professions.
- You will listen to consultation extracts (patient-doctor dialogues) and work place extracts (team handovers, health talks).
- You must answer multiple-choice and gap-fill questions.
2. Reading (60 mins):
- Same for all professions.
- Part A: Rapid reading task (15 mins) where you skim multiple texts to locate specific information.
- Part B & C: Careful reading tasks (45 mins) involving longer extracts from policy documents or medical journals.
3. Writing (45 mins):
- Profession-Specific
- The task is usually to write a letter, such as a referral letter, discharge summary, or letter of transfer.
- You are given "case notes" and must select the relevant information to include.
4. Speaking (approx. 20 mins):
- Profession-Specific
- You will participate in two role-plays.
- You take the role of the professional(e.g., Nurse), and the interlocutor plays the patient or carer.
- You are assessed on clinical communication skills (empathy, structure) as well as linguisticskills.
The Shift to Numerical Scoring
It is important to note that OET is not a new test—it remains the preferred choice for healthcare professionals. However, the Department of Home Affairs has shifted from thebroad "A to E" letter grades to a granular numerical scale (0-500) to ensure more precise assessment.
This change means "getting a B" is no longer the sole target. You must now hit specific three-digit scores in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
485 Visa (Post-Higher Education Work) Requirements
For the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, the focus is on a balanced profile. To beeligible, you must achieve an Overall Score of at least 1310.
Note: You must sum your four component scores to check this total.
Additionally, you must meet these individual minimums to ensure you don't drop below therequired standard:
OET English Requirements – Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate Visa)
(Test taken on or after 7 August 2025)
Test Component Minimum OET Score Required Listening 260 Reading 280 Writing 260 Speaking 310
This structure allows for some flexibility—a high Speaking score can help balance a lower Writing score, provided you meet the floor of 260/280 and hit the 1310 total.
Migration English Levels: Competent, Proficient, &Superior
If you are looking at permanent residency (such as the 189, 190 or 491 visas), the "Overall" scoreis less relevant. Instead, you must achieve specific minimum scores in every module.
OET Scores for Migration English Level
English Level Listening Reading Writing Speaking Competent English 290 310 290 330 Proficient English 350 360 380 360 Superior English 390 400 420 400 Vocational English 220 240 200 270
Functional English
Required for secondary applicants (partners) to avoid the "Second Installment" visa fee. Thislevel focuses on total ability rather than individual minimums. You must achieve:
Overall Score: 1020
Note: Similar to the 485 visa, this is a cumulative score. You simply add your four componentscores together. As long as the total is 1020 or higher, you meet the requirement.
Understanding the Tiers
Visualizing these tiers is crucial. While a standard "B" grade used to cover the 350-440 range, the new "Proficient" standard requires a higher Writing score (380) than Listening(350). This nuance is why many applicants are now retaking specific components to maximize their points.
These requirements are based on the Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visas) Instrument 2025 and recent policy updateseffective from August 7, 2025.
- Official Sources: Always verify the latest legislative instruments on the Departmentof Home Affairs 485 Visa Eligibility page.
- Definitions: Full definitions for the tiered English levels can be found in the Superior English section of the Home Affairs website.
- Test Info: Visit OET.com for test booking and preparation materials.
Conclusion
The days of aiming for a "flat B" are over. Whether you are securing your 485 visa or chasingthat crucial 20-point Superior English bonus, success in 2026 requires targeting specific numerical benchmarks in each skill area.
Don't leave your visa to chance. Check your latest OET Statement of Results against thenumbers above. If you are short on the 1310 Overall or the 420 Writing threshold for Superior English, contact our migration team today for a strategy session on your best pathway forward..
FAQ's
1. If I re-sit only one OET skill (like Writing), will my previous scores still count?
Yes. OET allows partial re-sits, meaning you can reattempt only the skill you want to improve. However, for visa purposes, all four scores used must be from the same test sitting if an overall or cumulative score is required (such as for the 485). This is a key planning point many students miss.
2. Can I use the same OET result for both my 485 visa and future PR?
Sometimes — but not always. The 485 visa focuses on overall balance, while PR points depend on per-skill scores, especially Writing and Speaking. Many graduates meet the 485 requirement but later need to re-sit OET strategically to reach Proficient or Superior English for PR points.
3. Does my OET profession choice (e.g. Nursing vs Medicine) affect visa outcomes?
Indirectly, yes. While Listening and Reading are the same for everyone, Writing and Speaking tasks are profession-specific. Poor task selection or preparation in your profession module can affect scores — which then impacts both visa eligibility and PR points.
4. I took OET earlier for AHPRA — can I reuse those results for my visa?
Possibly, provided:
- the test is still within validity
- it was taken at a test centre (not OET at Home)
- and the scores meet current numerical thresholds
Older tests taken under the letter-grade mindset often fall short when assessed against today’s numerical migration benchmarks.
5. Is OET Writing really the hardest skill for migration purposes?
In practice, yes. Writing has the highest score thresholds for Proficient and Superior English and is the most common reason students miss PR points. This is why targeted Writing preparation — not generic OET coaching — is critical if PR is your goal.
6. Can I plan OET first before deciding my visa pathway (485 vs PR)?
You can, but it’s not recommended. The “right” OET score depends on your visa strategy. Planning English testing without aligning it to your PR or employer-sponsored pathway often leads to unnecessary re-sits, extra cost, and lost time.
7. If my OET scores are close but not exact, should I re-sit or adjust my visa strategy?
That depends on:
- how far short you are in each skill
- your occupation demand
- your age and points buffer
In many cases, a small Writing or Speaking improvement is more effective than changing visas or states — but this needs case-by-case assessment.
