If you’re a healthcare professional planning to work or study in an English-speaking country, the Occupational English Test (OET) is one of the most important exams you'll take. Accepted in Australia, the UK, the US, New Zealand, and many other countries, the OET evaluates your ability to communicate safely and effectively in real medical environments.

This updated guide explains:

• What the OET exam is

• Test structure (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)

• Scoring and grade requirements

• Step-by-step OET booking process

• Cancellation rules, refunds & acceptable reasons

Let’s begin.

What Is the OET Exam?

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a healthcare-specific English language test designed to assess the communication skills needed in clinical and professional settings.

Key Features

• Purpose:
  Tests whether internationally trained healthcare workers can safely communicate in English. Required for professional registration and licensing in many English-speaking countries.

• Target Audience:
  The exam is available for 12 healthcare professions, including:

  • Nursing

  • Medicine

  • Pharmacy

  • Physiotherapy

  • Dentistry

  • Radiography

  • Occupational Therapy, and more

• Owner and Administrator:
  Conducted by CBLA (Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment)—a joint venture between
  Cambridge Assessment English and Box Hill Institute.

OET Exam Structure

The OET assesses four communication skills essential for healthcare work.

1. OET Listening (45–50 minutes)

Divided into three parts:

• Part A – Consultation Notes
  Listen to health professional–patient conversations and fill in notes.

• Part B – Workplace Communication
  Short recordings (handover, briefing, instructions).

• Part C – Healthcare Presentations
  Longer audio extracts testing your ability to understand opinions, arguments, and detailed information.

2. OET Reading (60 minutes)

Includes three sections:

• Part A – Fast Reading (Expeditious Reading)
  Quickly find specific information in short texts.

• Part B – Workplace Texts
  Read short healthcare-related texts and answer multiple-choice questions.

• Part C – Long Texts
  Understand complex medical articles and detailed ideas.

3. OET Writing (45 minutes)

You will write a profession-specific letter, such as:

• Referral letter

• Discharge summary

• Transfer letter

The task is based on case notes provided during the test.

4. OET Speaking (20 minutes)

This section uses role-plays based on real-life healthcare scenarios to assess:

• Clarity

• Professional communication

• Patient interaction

• Fluency and accuracy

You will speak to an interlocutor acting as a patient or family member.

OET Scoring Explained

Each section is graded on a scale of A to E.

Typical Requirement

Most healthcare regulators require:

• Minimum Grade B in all sub-tests
  or

• Minimum of 350/500 in each section

How to Book the OET Exam (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Create a MyOET Account

Visit the official OET website and sign up.
You’ll need:

• Full name

• Profile photo

• Identity proof

• Valid email address

Step 2: Choose Your Test Format

OET offers:

• OET on Paper (book at least 24 days before test)

• OET on Computer (book at least 7 days before test)

Choose whichever format suits your preference and availability.

Step 3: Select Your Test Date & Location

Use the OET website search tool to find:

• Nearby test centres

• Available dates

Tip:
If your preferred date is full, select multiple alternate dates to increase your chances.

Step 4: Complete Your Booking

Log in to your MyOET dashboard and:

1. Choose your profession

2. Select location and date

3. Fill in all required information

4. Pay the exam fee

OET Fee (Approximate)

• AUD 587 (? USD 455)

You must complete the payment within 15 minutes, or the booking expires.

Step 5: Receive Booking Confirmation

You’ll get:

• Email confirmation

• Invoice

• Test date & venue details

Check your email regularly for updates or schedule changes.

Additional Booking Information

Late Booking

Some centres accept late bookings if slots are available—but this is not guaranteed.

Support for Disabilities

If you need special accommodations, contact your test centre well before the exam date.

Rescheduling

Check your centre’s rescheduling rules and deadlines to avoid extra charges.

How to Cancel Your OET Exam

1. Check the Cancellation Deadline

Each test centre has different rules. Always check:

• Your confirmation email

• The official OET policy

2. Log in to MyOET

Go to your account dashboard ? Choose the test ? Select Cancel.

If you face issues, contact OET Customer Support.

3. Provide Supporting Documents

If you’re canceling for valid reasons such as illness or emergency, you may need:

• Medical certificates

• Employer letters

• Travel documents

4. Confirm Your Cancellation

You will receive:

• Cancellation confirmation

• Refund information (if applicable)

OET Cancellation Fees & Refund Policy

If you cancel before booking closing date

• Fee: AUD 120

• Non-refundable booking fee: AUD 7

If you cancel after booking closing date but at least 1 week before test

• Fee: AUD 200

• Non-refundable booking fee applies

Refund Rules

Tip: Cancel as early as possible to minimize financial loss.

Valid Reasons for Cancelling the OET Exam

Below are acceptable reasons recognized by OET:

1. Medical or Health Issues

• Illness

• Injury

• Hospitalization

Medical evidence may be required.

2. Family Emergencies

• Severe illness of a family member

• Hospitalization

• Death in the family

Proof may be needed depending on the situation.

3. Work-Related Commitments

Many healthcare workers face sudden duty changes.
Such last-minute schedule conflicts are valid reasons for cancellation.

4. Travel Restrictions

• Visa issues

• Travel bans

• Flight cancellations

• Natural disasters

5. Lack of Preparation

If you feel unprepared or mentally stressed, you may choose to cancel and retake later.

6. Personal Situations

Significant life events such as:

• Relationship breakdown

• Major stress

• Emotional difficulties

These can affect your performance and are considered valid.

7. Visa or Immigration Problems

If visa changes prevent you from attending the exam, you can request cancellation with supporting documents.

8. Test Centre Issues

If the centre cancels due to:

• Technical problems

• Building issues

• Local restrictions

You will be guided to reschedule or receive a refund.

Final Thoughts

The OET is a crucial exam for healthcare professionals planning to build a career in English-speaking countries. Understanding how the test works, how to register, and what to do in case of cancellation helps you avoid mistakes and prepare confidently.