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English Language Requirements for 457 Visa

Primary applicants will be required to have a level of English equivalent to a band score of 5 in each of the four test components in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test unless they meet one of the exemptions listed below.

Please note that if the nominated occupation requires the applicant to hold a licence, registration or membership that is mandatory for the performance of the activity nominated, and if that licence, registration or membership requires an IELTS score of more than 5 (average), the applicant must have that higher IELTS score.

Applicants who are subject to an approved nomination and the application was made before 1 July 2010 should contact their migration agent or DIAC for advice as different rules may apply.

Exemptions

All primary applicants must meet the English language requirement unless they have been nominated for a position that does not require English language for licensing or registration and any one of the following applies:

Their occupation does not require a level of English competency for grant of registration, licence or membership and they are a passport holder from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America;
They are to be paid at least a base salary of $88 410 excluding all deductions and the grant of the visa is in the interests of Australia;
They have completed at least five years of continuous full time secondary and/or tertiary education at an institution where the instruction was conducted in English;
They are nominated in relation to an occupation that will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country.