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Who OET is for
OET (Occupational English Test) is built for 12 healthcare professions: dentistry, dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, speech pathology and veterinary science. Listening and Reading are the same for everyone. Writing and Speaking use scenarios from your own profession.
The four sub-tests
| Sub-test | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | about 40 minutes | 42 questions in 3 parts: consultations, short workplace extracts, presentations |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 parts: fast reading across short texts, then workplace and longer healthcare texts |
| Writing | 45 minutes | One profession-specific letter, usually a referral, from case notes |
| Speaking | about 20 minutes | Two role-plays with an interlocutor playing a patient or carer |
Check the latest details on the official OET website.
How OET is scored
Each sub-test gets a score from 0 to 500, in steps of 10. There's no overall score. OET also shows a letter grade:
| Grade | Score |
|---|---|
| A | 450–500 |
| B | 350–440 |
| C+ | 300–340 |
| C | 200–290 |
| D | 100–190 |
| E | 0–90 |
Most registration boards ask for at least 350 (grade B) in each sub-test, but requirements vary. Check with your board.
OET for Australian visas
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Home Affairs requires (Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking):
| Level | Scores |
|---|---|
| Competent | 290 / 310 / 290 / 330 |
| Proficient | 350 / 360 / 380 / 360 |
| Superior | 390 / 400 / 420 / 400 |
OET@Home isn't accepted for visas. Registration boards (for example, in nursing and medicine) often need higher scores than the visa does. See all tests compared.
Free OET practice
- OET practice test: Reading Part A, a nursing referral letter and two role-plays
- OET Reading practice test: Parts A, B and C
- OET Writing practice (medicine): a letter to a GP with a model answer
- OET speaking role-play cards: pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing and medicine
Where to focus
- Writing: learn the referral letter structure. It's very learnable. See our OET referral letter guide.
- Speaking: practise clear, empathetic communication in role-plays. See the OET speaking role-play guide.
- Listening Part A: practise writing notes quickly with correct spelling of medical terms.
Everything for OET
Frequently asked questions
What is OET?
The Occupational English Test, an English test for healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors and pharmacists.
Is OET accepted in Australia?
Yes, OET is accepted by many Australian health boards and for some visa purposes. Check the requirements for your profession.
Can I practise OET for free?
Yes. We have a free OET reading test, writing practice with model letters and speaking role-play cards.