This instrument is the Migration (IMMI 17/057: English Language Requirements for Subclass 457 visas) Instrument 2017. This instrument may also be cited as IMMI 17/057.

This instrument commences on 1 July 2017.

3 Authority

This instrument is made under paragraph 457.223(4)(eb), paragraph 457.223(6)(a), and subclause 457.223(11) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.

4 Definitions

In this instrument:

Regulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.

full-time study means:

(a) in relation to secondary education – the standard number of contact hours that a student would undertake in the relevant country; and

(b) in relation to higher education – the completion of at least three subjects in each semester or trimester of study

5 Schedules

Each instrument specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

6 Purpose

This instrument specifies tests, scores, time periods and exemptions for the purposes of the English language requirement for Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visas (Subclass 457 visas). The instrument replaces instrument IMMI 15/028 which was repealed on 1 July 2017.

Part 2—English language requirements for subclass 457 visas

7 Specification of English language tests for applicants for Subclass 457 visas

The following language tests are specified for the purpose of subparagraph 457.223(4)(eb)(iv) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations:

(a) International English Language Testing System (IELTS test);

(b) Occupational English Test (OET);

(d) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE);

(e) Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE), where the test was completed on, or after 1 January 2015.

8 Specification of scores which must be achieved in the tests specified in section 7

The following scores are specified for the purpose of subparagraph 457.223(4)(eb)(v) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations:

English test	Minimum band score	Minimum scores for English test components
English test	Minimum band score	Listening	Reading	Speaking	Writing
IELTS test	Overall band score 5.0	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
OET	-	B	B	B	B
TOEFL iBT	Total band score 36	3	3	12	12
PTE	Overall band score 36	30	30	30	30
CAE	Overall band score 154	147	147	147	147

9 Specification of period of time within which the scores specified in section 8 must be achieved by applicants for Subclass 457 visas

For the purpose of subparagraph 457.223(4)(eb)(v) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the specified period is the period of three years from the date of the visa application.

10 Specification of salaries above which Subclass 457 applicants are exempt from the requirement to undertake English language tests

For applications for Subclass 457 visas made prior to 1 July 2017, it is specified for the purposes of paragraph 457.223(6)(a) that the base rate of pay (expressed as an annual salary) is at least the level of salary, where:

(a) the base rate of pay has the same meaning as in subregulation 2.57(1) of the Regulations; and

(b) the level of salary is AUD 96,400.

[Note: Section 10 has the same effect as item 6 of the repealed instrument IMMI 15/028. There are no general salary based exemptions from English language requirements for Subclass 457 visa applications made on or after 1 July 2017.]

11 Specification of Subclass 457 applicants who are exempt from the requirement to undertake English language tests

For the purpose of subclause 457.223(11) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the following classes of applicants are specified:

(a) an applicant who is a citizen of, and who holds a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:

(i) the United Kingdom

(ii) the United States of America

(iii) Canada

(iv) New Zealand

(v) the Republic of Ireland

(b) an applicant who:

(i) has completed a minimum of five years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English.

(i) nominated in relation to an activity or occupation by a standard business sponsor approved under regulations 2.59 or 2.68 of the Regulations; and

(ii) nominated in relation to an activity or occupation that will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country or an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan located in Australia.

(d) an applicant who meets the following requirements:

(i) the applicant is nominated in an occupation that requires registration, licensing or membership and that registration, licence or membership has been granted; and

(ii) to obtain the grant of the registration, licence or membership the applicant was required to demonstrate a level of English language competency that is equivalent to, or better than, the level of English language proficiency that is required to achieve a score specified in item 2 of this Schedule for a test specified in item 1 of this Schedule.

(e) an applicant who:

(i) is employed by a company operating an established business overseas;

(ii) is nominated by a standard business sponsor who is the company mentioned in paragraph (i) or an associated entity of that company; and

(iii) will receive a base rate of pay, within the meaning of subregulation 2.57(1) of the Regulations, of at least AUD 96,400.

Part 3 —Transitional Provisions

12 Application of this instrument

(1) Subject to section 2, this instrument applies to applications for Subclass 457 visas made on and after 1 July 2017, and to applications for Subclass 457 visas made and not finally determined before 1 July 2017.

(2) This instrument does not apply to an application for a Subclass 457 visa to which paragraph 7(d) or 7(e) of IMMI 15/028 is applicable.

[Note: Paragraphs 7(d) and 7(e) of IMMI 15/028 apply to certain applications for Subclass 457 visas lodged before 1 July 2013. Those paragraphs continue to apply to any remaining visa applications lodged before that date.]