Australian OET Visa Rules in 2026: Understanding the 2026 and 2028 Dates
An Australian Government page mentions 6 August 2026, while another allows certain older English test results until 6 August 2028. Treating either date as a universal OET deadline could lead to an unnecessary retest—or reliance on a result that does not meet the requirements of a particular visa.
The correct date depends on:
- when the test was taken;
- the English proficiency level required;
- the visa subclass;
- the scores achieved; and
- the test delivery method.
This guide explains the official rules checked on 6 August 2026 and shows how to verify whether an OET result may be used for an Australian visa.
Important: Australia’s English-language requirements are visa-specific. Meeting an OET threshold does not guarantee visa eligibility or approval.
Does Australia accept OET for visa applications in 2026?
Yes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs lists the Occupational English Test among the approved English tests for applicable Australian visa purposes.
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Department accepts OET undertaken at a secure test centre. However, this does not mean every visa requires or accepts the same OET scores.
Candidates must check the page for their exact visa subclass to determine:
- the required English proficiency level;
- the scores they need;
- the permitted age of the test result;
- whether an exemption or alternative evidence route applies; and
- any visa-specific test conditions.
OET is designed for healthcare professionals, but its inclusion in Australia’s approved-test framework does not automatically make it suitable for every applicant or visa pathway.
What changed on 7 August 2025?
The Department of Home Affairs changed its approved English tests and score requirements on 7 August 2025.
The official Australian guidance separates results into two periods:
- Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
- Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
OET’s scoring format for Australian visa purposes also changed from the previous alphabetical presentation to a numerical model for tests taken from 7 August 2025.
The score you need now depends on the English level attached to your visa requirement.
What are the new OET Functional English scores?
For an OET taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Department’s Functional English page specifies:
| Requirement | OET score |
|---|---|
| Functional English | Overall score of at least 1020 |
There is an unusual practical detail: the Department states that OET does not currently provide an overall result on its normal test score reports. According to the official page, candidates can contact OET to obtain their overall OET score.
Do not calculate or assume an official overall score yourself for a visa application. Confirm the accepted evidence directly with OET and the Department of Home Affairs.
Does every Functional English applicant need an OET result?
No. The official Functional English page lists other possible forms of evidence, including specified passports, education and other approved English tests.
Whether an alternative applies depends on the applicant’s circumstances and visa. OET is therefore an accepted route in applicable cases, not a compulsory test for every person who needs to demonstrate Functional English.
What are the new OET Competent English scores?
For OET tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Competent English page requires the following minimum component scores:
| OET component | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 290 |
| Reading | 310 |
| Writing | 290 |
| Speaking | 330 |
These are component requirements. A strong result in one skill does not replace a score below the published minimum in another skill.
The Department also says the test generally needs to have been taken during the applicable validity period before the visa application. The exact rule still depends on the visa subclass.
Why do the official pages mention both 2026 and 2028?
The two dates relate to different official tables and must not be presented as one universal deadline.
The 6 August 2026 date
The Functional English page states that results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be usable as evidence for Functional English until 6 August 2026 inclusive, depending on the visa.
However, the older-test table currently displayed on that page does not list OET among its pre-7 August 2025 Functional English tests.
Candidates should therefore not infer that any old OET result automatically qualifies under the Functional English transition. The exact test and visa evidence must appear in the applicable official requirements.
The 6 August 2028 date
The Department’s general English-language guidance says that specified tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, including OET, may be usable for visa purposes until 6 August 2028 inclusive, depending on the visa.
The Competent English page specifically lists the older OET requirement as:
| Component | Older OET requirement |
|---|---|
| Listening | B |
| Reading | B |
| Writing | B |
| Speaking | B |
That page states that eligible pre-change results may be used until 6 August 2028 inclusive, depending on the visa.
Quick comparison: which date could matter?
| Situation | Official date to investigate | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Functional English using a listed test taken on or before 6 August 2025 | 6 August 2026 inclusive | Depends on visa; the current older-test table does not list OET |
| Competent English using OET taken on or before 6 August 2025 | 6 August 2028 inclusive | Requires B in every component and depends on visa |
| OET taken on or after 7 August 2025 | Current numerical requirements | Exact scores depend on the required English level and visa |
| A different visa-specific English requirement | Check that visa’s current page | Do not substitute Functional or Competent English thresholds automatically |
The word “depending” is crucial. A transition end date does not extend a result beyond the rules of the visa being applied for.
Is OET@Home accepted for an Australian visa?
No. The Department of Home Affairs says it does not accept English tests delivered completely online or through at-home remote proctoring.
Its examples of unacceptable online tests include OET@Home.
Candidates should book an accepted OET delivery method at a secure test centre if they intend to use the result for an Australian visa.
Sitting an online format for convenience without checking the immigration rule could leave the candidate with a result that cannot be used for the intended application.
Is the Australian visa score the same as an Ahpra registration score?
Not necessarily.
Australian immigration and professional registration are separate processes:
| Decision | Responsible organisation | What it assesses |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application | Department of Home Affairs | Immigration and visa requirements |
| Healthcare professional registration | Ahpra and the relevant National Board | Professional registration requirements |
| Employment | Individual employer | Role, registration, experience and employment requirements |
An OET score accepted by Ahpra does not automatically establish that the same score satisfies a particular visa. Similarly, meeting an immigration English threshold does not guarantee healthcare registration.
Applicants may need to satisfy both processes separately.
How to check whether your old OET result remains usable
Follow these steps before booking another test or submitting an application.
1. Identify the exact visa subclass
Do not begin with a generic search for “Australian visa OET score”. Start with the official page for the precise visa subclass.
2. Find the required English level
Check whether the visa requires:
- Functional English;
- Vocational English;
- Competent English;
- Proficient English;
- Superior English; or
- a separate visa-specific standard.
These labels do not use interchangeable OET scores.
3. Check your test date
Separate results taken:
- on or before 6 August 2025; and
- on or after 7 August 2025.
The applicable score table may change according to that date.
4. Compare every required score
For a component-based standard, compare Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking separately. Do not rely on an average unless the official requirement explicitly uses one.
5. Check the permitted validity period
Confirm that the result will still be within the applicable period on the date required by the visa process.
Do not assume that the general transition date overrides a shorter visa-specific validity rule.
6. Confirm the test format
Check that the test was completed using an accepted delivery method. OET@Home is not accepted for Australian visa purposes.
7. Keep immigration and registration checks separate
If you are a healthcare professional, independently check:
- Department of Home Affairs requirements;
- Ahpra or the relevant National Board requirements; and
- the employer’s requirements.
Practical pre-application checklist
Before relying on OET for an Australian visa, confirm:
- My exact visa subclass
- The English proficiency level required for that visa
- Whether OET is accepted for my route
- Whether the old or new score table applies
- My Listening score
- My Reading score
- My Writing score
- My Speaking score
- Any overall-score evidence required
- The result-validity period
- The test was completed at an accepted secure test centre
- Whether an exemption or alternative evidence route applies
- Separate professional-registration requirements
- The official rules have been rechecked immediately before applying
How to prepare for the required OET scores
Once the correct target scores have been confirmed, use timed practice to identify which component needs the most attention.
Compare skills separately
A single general impression such as “my English is good” is not enough. Determine whether your difficulty is:
- identifying details while listening;
- reading efficiently under time pressure;
- producing a clear professional letter;
- or responding naturally during healthcare-focused speaking tasks.
Practise the correct profession
OET is tailored to 12 healthcare professions. Make sure your Writing and Speaking practice matches the profession relevant to your booking.
Avoid preparing only for a total score
Competent English uses separate component thresholds. Preparation should therefore target each required skill rather than rely on one stronger component to compensate for another.
Treat practice feedback honestly
AlmiWorld practice results and AI feedback are preparation estimates. They are not official OET scores and cannot determine whether the Department of Home Affairs, a regulator or an employer will accept an application.
Frequently asked questions
Is OET accepted for Australian visas in 2026?
OET is listed as an approved English test for applicable Australian visa purposes. Acceptance, required scores and validity depend on the visa subclass and English level.
Did all old OET results expire on 6 August 2026?
No. The general Department guidance and Competent English page indicate that certain eligible OET results taken on or before 6 August 2025 may remain usable until 6 August 2028 inclusive, depending on the visa. The 6 August 2026 date appears in the Functional English transition context and should not be treated as a universal OET expiry date.
What OET scores are needed for Competent English?
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the official minimums are Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290 and Speaking 330.
What OET score is needed for Functional English?
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Functional English page specifies an overall OET score of at least 1020.
Where can I find my overall OET score?
The Department says OET does not currently provide an overall result on its normal score report and advises candidates that they can contact OET to obtain their overall score.
Is OET@Home valid for an Australian visa?
No. The Department identifies OET@Home as an online test that it does not accept for Australian visa purposes.
Does passing OET guarantee an Australian visa?
No. An OET result is only one possible part of an application. It does not guarantee eligibility, invitation, professional registration, employment or visa approval.
Can I use my Ahpra OET scores for my visa?
Possibly, but only if the result separately satisfies the exact Department of Home Affairs rule for your visa. Ahpra registration and immigration requirements must be checked independently.
Prepare for OET with AlmiWorld
After confirming the correct official scores for your visa and professional pathway, AlmiWorld can help you practise with original OET preparation material and feedback.
Start with a 7-day free trial, then continue for US$12 per month. Cancel anytime.
AlmiWorld practice results and AI feedback are preparation estimates—not official OET scores. AlmiWorld does not guarantee a test result, professional registration, employment, admission, visa or immigration outcome.
Explore OET practice at https://www.almiworld.com/.
Official sources
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — English-language visa requirements:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language - Australian Department of Home Affairs — Functional English:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/functional-english - Australian Department of Home Affairs — Competent English:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english
Information checked on 6 August 2026. Requirements can change and may differ by visa subclass. Candidates should recheck the relevant official visa page before booking a test or submitting an application.