Hiring workers from the USA: no English test, labour market testing still applies

Who comes from the USA

In Home Affairs' figures for primary temporary skilled (482) visas granted in the 2025-26 program year to 31 December 2025, the United States was 12th by citizenship, with about 650 grants (rounded to the nearest 10). The report does not break that figure down by occupation.

Source: Home Affairs: temporary resident (skilled) report, 31 December 2025 (table 1.20)

English: exempt by passport

The legislative instrument that sets the 482 English requirement treats a citizen holding a valid passport issued by Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States as an exempt applicant, so no test result is needed for the visa. Registration bodies such as Ahpra apply their own English standards, which are separate.

Source: Legislation: English language requirements for the 482 (LIN 25/082)

Labour market testing still applies

The determination listing the trade agreements that can remove labour market testing names agreements with the UK, New Zealand, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Chile, Peru, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the UAE and others, and the multilateral agreements. The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement is not on it, so plan for the advertising before you nominate a US citizen, unless another exemption applies. WIDEN's guide to labour market testing exemptions covers the exemptions in detail.

Source: Legislation: international trade obligations relating to labour market testing (LIN 21/075, as amended)

Avoiding fee-charging recruiters

An Australian employer cannot pass the sponsorship or nomination costs to the worker, and it is an offence under section 245AR of the Migration Act to ask for or receive a benefit in return for a sponsorship-related event. In practice: hire the candidate directly, pay any recruiter yourself, and walk away from any intermediary who asks the worker to pay for the job or the sponsorship.

Source: Migration Act 1958, section 245AR: asking for or receiving a benefit for sponsorship

Checking the candidate

Before you offer, run the checks in spotting fake candidates and documents: verified English results, registers, licences and referees you contact yourself.

The Australian side, step by step

1. Confirm the occupation and salary. The role must be on the relevant list and pay at least A$79,423 (nominations from 1 July 2026) and the market rate: sponsored jobs by occupation.
2. Labour market testing, unless an exemption applies: labour market testing for the 482.
3. Sponsorship, nomination and visa. Costs are in the cost to sponsor a worker; timing in how long sponsorship takes.
4. Registration or licensing before work starts for regulated occupations (Ahpra professions, electricians, plumbers and others).

For the legal steps in your case, use a registered migration agent: WIDEN Migration Experts (MARN 1576536).

Frequently asked questions

Do US citizens need an English test for a 482?

No. A citizen holding a valid US passport is an exempt applicant under the 482 English instrument.

Is labour market testing required for a US citizen?

Generally yes. The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement is not on the list of trade obligations that remove labour market testing, so the advertising applies unless another exemption does.

How many US citizens get 482 visas?

About 650 primary 482 visas were granted to US citizens in the 2025-26 program year to 31 December 2025, 12th by citizenship.