English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles

This is a significant AEWV policy change that many employers and migrants may not have anticipated.

What has changed?

From 1 June 2026, the minimum English language requirement for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has been extended to ANZSCO and National Occupation List (NOL) Skill Level 3 occupations. Previously, this requirement only applied to Skill Level 4 and 5 roles.

This means many occupations such as cooks, chefs, tradespeople, hospitality workers, and various technicians that are classified as Skill Level 3 may now need to demonstrate English ability when applying for an AEWV.

How to meet the English language requirement?

• through your English ability from citizenship, working and studying

• by taking an English language test.

Your English language test results

If you choose to take an English language test, there is a minimum score you need to achieve.

	Table 1: Test and minimum score required for an Accredited Employer Work Visa at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 to 5
Test	Principal applicant
IELTS	Overall score of 4 or more
TOEFL iBT	Overall score of 31 or more
PTE Academic	Overall score of 29 or more
B2 First	Overall score of 142 or more
B2 First for Schools	Overall score of 142 or more
OET	Grade D or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Transitional arrangements

There are important exemptions:

Exemption 1

Current AEWV holders whose visa expires on or before 1 December 2026 can apply for a further Skill Level 3 AEWV without meeting the new English requirement.

Exemption 2

People who have already provided evidence of English ability in a previous application do not need to provide it again.

Exemption 3

The requirement does not apply to:

• Job Change applications

• Global Workforce Seasonal Visa applications

• Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications.

Important point for employers

Even if a Job Check or Job Check token was approved before 1 June 2026, an applicant lodging an AEWV application on or after 1 June 2026 must still meet the new English language requirement if the role is Skill Level 3.

Impact on immigration advisers and employers

This change will particularly affect:

• Hospitality employers recruiting cooks and chefs.

• Construction employers recruiting tradespeople.

• Manufacturing employers recruiting technicians.

• Employers relying on workers from countries where English testing is not common.

It will now be important to check English eligibility before lodging Skill Level 3 AEWV applications, as applicants who cannot satisfy the English requirement may face visa refusal.