Occupational English Test (OET)

English language test for

healthcare professionals

Occupational English Test (OET)

OET is an English language test designed to meet
the specic needs of the healthcare sector. It
assesses the language and communication skills
of healthcare professionals looking to register and
practise in an English-speaking environment.
This high-quality test has been designed by world-leading
experts in language assessment, and is supported by over
30 years of test development, research and validation.

Is OET the right test for me?

OET tests international health practitioners from the
following 12 professions:
Dentistry

Occupational Therapy

Podiatry

Dietetics

Optometry

Radiography

Medicine

Pharmacy

Speech Pathology

Nursing

Physiotherapy

Veterinary Science

If you have chosen one of these professions, OET is the

ideal test for you.

Why should I take OET?

s It shows employers that you have the English language
skills needed to communicate effectively with colleagues,
patients and their families, to deliver quality healthcare.
s It is accepted by major healthcare regulators and councils
in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore as proof of
employee language competence.
s Your OET qualication can be used for registration,
education and employment opportunities. It can also be
used for a visa application to Australia.

Who recognises OET?

OET is recognised and trusted by over 20 healthcare
regulators, boards, councils and government
departments in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Many organisations, including hospitals, universities and
colleges, are also using OET as proof of a candidates ability
to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare
environment. These organisations include Monash University,
Australian Catholic University (ACU), Deakin University and
the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).

Australia
s Australian Department of Immigration and
Citizenship (DIAC) OET is accepted by DIAC1
for various visa categories. These include skilled
migration and student visas. Visit www.diac.gov.au
for more details.
s Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
(AHPRA) National agency responsible for the
registration of 14 health professions in Australia.
The following Boards accept OET as proof of English
language prociency for registration purposes:
Dental Board of Australia
Medical Board of Australia
Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
Optometry Board of Australia
Pharmacy Board of Australia
Physiotherapy Board of Australia
Podiatry Board of Australia.
s Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc.
s Australian and New Zealand Podiatry
Accreditation Council (ANZPAC)
s Australian Dental Council (ADC)
s Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)
s Council of Occupational Therapists Registration
Boards (Australia and New Zealand)
s Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA)
s Speech Pathology Australia (SPA).

This information is accurate as of September 2013.

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New Zealand
s Australian and New Zealand Podiatry
Accreditation Council (ANZPAC)
s Council of Occupational Therapists Registration
Boards (Australia and New Zealand)
s Dental Council of New Zealand (DCNZ)
s Nursing Council of New Zealand
s Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
s Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand
s Veterinary Council of New Zealand.

Singapore
s Singapore Medical Council.

Financial assistance

The Assessment Subsidy for Overseas Trained Professionals

Program (ASDOT) is an Australian Government initiative
applicable to 11 of the 12 OET professions. Eligible
candidates may apply for nancial assistance to cover the
cost of taking OET. Further information is available at
www.aei.gov.au/asdot

What does the test cover?

OET covers all four language skills with an emphasis on
communication in a healthcare environment. It consists of
four sub-tests:
s Listening
s Reading
s Writing
s Speaking.
The Listening and Reading sub-tests are designed to assess
your ability to understand spoken and written English, based
on health-related topics and tasks common to all professions.
The Writing and Speaking sub-tests are specic to the
12 individual healthcare professions designed to reect
common tasks performed in the workplace.

The four components of OET

Listening sub-test (approximately 50 minutes)
The Listening sub-test consists of two parts, with 2028
questions in total:
s Part A: a recorded, simulated professional/patient
consultation with note-taking questions.
s Part B: a recorded talk or lecture on a health-related
topic with a range of questions including short answer
and multiple choice.
The content for this sub-test is the same for all candidates
irrespective of profession.

Reading sub-test (60 minutes)

The Reading sub-test consists of two parts:
s Part A: summary task
Skim and scan 34 short texts (a total of 650 words)
on a single health-related topic and complete a
summary paragraph by lling in the missing words
(a total of 2535 gaps), in 15 minutes.
Part A is designed to test your ability to accurately
process and retrieve written information in a
meaningful way, within a time limit.
s Part B: reading comprehension task
Read two passages (600800 words each) on general
health topics and answer 810 multiple choice
questions for each text, in 45 minutes.
Part B is designed to assess your ability to read and
understand information on health-related topics within
a time limit.
The content for this sub-test is the same for all candidates
irrespective of profession.

Writing sub-test (45 minutes)

You will be asked to write a letter usually a referral
letter, based on case notes. In this letter you should:
s record treatment offered to date
s explain the issues to be addressed (based on given
instructions)
s show that you have considered the facts and
information
s write 180200 words, set out in an appropriate
format.
The content for this sub-test is profession-specic.

Speaking sub-test (approximately 20 minutes)

This test assesses your ability to communicate effectively
in English. It consists of two simulated consultations
between a healthcare professional and a patient. In these
role plays you will take the role of the practitioner and the
interviewer plays the patient or patients relative/carer
(or for veterinary science, the animals owner/carer).
The content for this sub-test is profession-specic.

Where and when can I take OET?

OET is available up to 10 times a year, at over 50 testing
venues worldwide.
To see the current test dates and list of countries where the
test is available visit www.occupationalenglishtest.org

How do I register for OET?

You register for OET using an application form, via our
website. As part of the online application, you need to upload
a recent, passport-size, colour photo in electronic format (jpg).
You will nd all the information you need on how to apply for
OET, including guidelines for uploading photos, test costs and
how to pay, on the website.

How can I prepare for the test?

To help with your study, you can access resources at
www.occupationalenglishtest.org
s Download a set of practice materials including free sample
papers.
s Additional practice materials can be ordered from the OET
bookshop.
s Find a list of training providers who offer preparation
courses for OET.2

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This list is for information only we do not endorse any particular

training programme.

When and how will I receive my

results?
Your results will be published on the website approximately
15 business days after the test: log in to your secure online
prole to see them. Ofcial Statements of Results will be
posted as soon as possible after this to the current address in
your online prole.

How is OET graded?

You will receive a separate grade for each sub-test you take,
ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). There is no overall grade.
Here are the descriptions for each grade that appear on the
printed Statement of Results:
OET
grade

Description of ability

Very high level of performance

High level of performance, i.e. able to use

English with fluency and accuracy adequate for
professional needs

Good level of performance; however,

not acceptable to a range of health and
medical councils

Moderate level of performance: requires

improvement

Low level of performance: requires considerable

improvement

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Got a question?
Contact us

*0139144903*

www.occupationalenglishtest.org

UCLES 2013 | CE/1466/3Y09

Register online today at:

The OET Centre

GPO Box 372
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia
Tel: +61 3 9652 0800
www.occupationalenglishtest.org/help

The Occupational English Test (OET) is designed to meet the specic English language
needs of the healthcare sector. It assesses the language prociency of healthcare
professionals who wish to practise in an English-speaking environment.
OET is owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Pty Ltd. It is a joint venture
between Cambridge English Language Assessment and Box Hill Institute. Cambridge
English Language Assessment is a not-for-prot department of the University of
Cambridge with over 100 years of experience in assessing the English language. Box Hill
Institute is a leading Australian vocational and higher education provider, active both in
Australia and overseas.

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