CELPIP for the 482 Skills in Demand and 485 Temporary Graduate Visas
By CELPass Editorial Team · Updated
Most CELPIP advice for Australia is about the points-tested PR visas. The two big temporary visas, the 482 Skills in Demand visa and the 485 Temporary Graduate visa, have their own English rules set in separate instruments. This guide sets out the CELPIP scores for each as published at the time of writing. Both visas have exemptions and both rules have changed recently, so confirm the current requirement on your visa's Home Affairs page before you book.
Does the 482 Skills in Demand visa accept CELPIP?
Yes. Home Affairs added CELPIP-General to the 482 visa's accepted English tests from 13 September 2025, in a separate instrument (LIN 25/082) from the one that covers the points-tested visas.
As with other visas, the test must be taken in person at a test centre. Online and at-home tests are not accepted, and CELPIP-General LS, the two-skill citizenship test, does not count.
What CELPIP score do I need for the 482 visa?
At least CELPIP 5 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There is no overall score: every skill has to meet the line on its own.
| Test | Minimum scores |
|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 |
| IELTS (Academic or General Training) | 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 |
| PTE Academic | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 |
Some applicants are exempt from the English requirement, for example holders of certain passports. Your employer or migration agent should confirm whether an exemption applies before you pay for a test.
What CELPIP score do I need for the 485 Temporary Graduate visa?
LIN 25/089 sets an overall CELPIP score of at least 8, with at least 6 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, from a test taken in the year before you apply.
CELPIP reports a level for each skill rather than a single overall score, so ask Home Affairs or a registered migration agent how your result will be read before you rely on it. Lower scores apply to Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, and some passport holders do not need to show a test at all.
How long is a CELPIP result valid for the 482 and 485?
For the 482, results are generally valid for three years from the test date. For the 485, the test must have been taken in the year before you apply, which is much tighter.
If you are finishing a degree and plan to apply for the 485, time your test for the last months of study rather than the first, so the result is still recent enough when you lodge.
Should I aim higher than the 482 minimum?
Usually, yes, if you plan to stay. The employer-sponsored PR visa that many 482 holders move to, the 186, generally needs Competent English, which is CELPIP 7 in every skill, and points-tested visas reward Proficient or Superior English.
| Requirement | CELPIP (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|
| 482 Skills in Demand | 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | Overall 8, at least 6 in each skill |
| Competent English (186, 189, 190, 491) | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 |
| Proficient English (10 points) | 9 / 8 / 10 / 8 |
| Superior English (20 points) | 10 / 10 / 12 / 10 |
Reaching CELPIP 7 in every skill on your first test can save you a second test fee later. Check the English requirement for your PR pathway when you plan the 482 test.
How do I prepare for a 482 or 485 CELPIP test?
Find your weakest skill first, because one skill below the line decides the result. For the 482 minimum, that usually means making sure Writing and Speaking are reliably at 5 or above under exam timing; for the 485, at least 6 in every skill.
The free CELPass diagnostic estimates your level in each skill in about 25 minutes. It shows CLB levels, which are the same numbers as CELPIP levels.
Frequently asked questions
Is CELPIP accepted for the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa?
CELPIP-General is accepted wherever Home Affairs asks for Competent English, which is the usual 186 requirement: at least CELPIP 7 in every skill. Check the 186 page for exemptions and current rules.
Does the 482 visa accept IELTS One Skill Retake?
Sources disagree on the 482's retake rules, so check the 482 page on the Home Affairs website. CELPIP has no single-skill retake in any case: you retake the whole test.
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CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.