Look, I have seen people miss their required IELTS score by half a band in Writing. Just Writing. Everything else was fine. And they had to sit the entire three-hour test again.
That is no longer the case. IELTS One Skill Retake changes everything for most visa applicants. But not all of them.
How IELTS One Skill Retake Works
OSR lets you retake a single section: Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking. You scored 7 across the board but got 6.5 in Writing? You retake Writing only.
The rules are straightforward:
• Book and sit within 60 days of your original test
• Same format, same timing as the regular section
• You receive a new Test Report Form combining your best scores
One section. One fee. Done.
The Visas That Do Not Accept OSR
Here is where it gets complicated. The Department of Home Affairs accepts OSR for most visa subclasses. Most. Not all.
These three visas require all scores from a single sitting:
• Subclass 476: Skilled Recognised Graduate
• Subclass 482: Temporary Skill Shortage
• Subclass 485: Temporary Graduate
If you are applying for one of these, OSR is not an option. You need every band in one test. No exceptions.
Why This Matters for Your Application
For skilled visa applicants outside those three subclasses, OSR is a genuine advantage. You save weeks of preparation. You avoid the stress of retaking sections you have already passed. You target exactly what you need.
But using OSR for a visa that does not accept it? Your application gets refused. I have seen it happen. Someone assumes OSR is fine, submits their combined results for a 482 visa, and the whole application fails on English requirements.
That is an expensive mistake.
What You Should Do Now
Before you book an OSR test, confirm your visa subclass accepts it. Do not assume. Do not rely on what worked for someone else's visa.
If you are not sure whether OSR applies to your situation, book a consultation. We will confirm exactly what English test options work for your specific application. Better to check now than to learn the hard way after you have already submitted.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, book a consultation.
