As an expert in healthcare education and language proficiency testing, I understand the critical role the Occupational English Test (OET) plays for healthcare professionals aiming to practice or study in English-speaking countries. 

The OET is a specialized English language proficiency exam tailored to assess communication skills in real-world medical contexts, ensuring professionals such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and others can interact effectively with patients and colleagues. 

With 2025 well underway, this article provides a comprehensive guide to booking the OET and understanding its fee structure, incorporating the latest updates and practical examples to help candidates navigate the process seamlessly.

Purpose and Importance of the OET

The OET is designed to assess the English language proficiency of healthcare professionals in a manner that reflects the linguistic demands of their workplace. Unlike general English tests like IELTS or TOEFL, the OET focuses on scenarios specific to healthcare, such as writing referral letters or engaging in patient consultations. 

This makes it highly relevant for professionals seeking registration or employment in countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA, where regulatory bodies like the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) recognize OET results.

For example, a nurse applying to work in Australia must achieve a minimum B grade (350–450 out of 500) across all four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) to meet MBA requirements. 

Similarly, a doctor aiming for ECFMG certification in the USA must secure a satisfactory score on the OET Medicine exam, as mandated for the 2026 Pathways. This specificity ensures candidates are well-equipped to handle real-world medical communication.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking the OET in 2025

The OET registration process is streamlined to accommodate busy healthcare professionals. Below is an expert breakdown of the steps to book the exam, based on the latest updates from the official OET website and insights from assisting numerous candidates.

1. Create a myOET Account.
   Visit the OET website and select "Create an Account" to set up your myOET profile. Use a personal email address to avoid access issues tied to temporary work or educational accounts. Please provide accurate details, including your full name as it appears on your identification (e.g., passport) and date of birth.
   Example: Dr. Sarah, a physician from India, created her myOET account using her personal Gmail address to ensure consistent access, as her hospital email was set to expire.

2. Select Your Healthcare Profession
   Choose your profession (e.g., Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy) from the 12 available options, as the Writing and Speaking sub-tests are tailored to your field. This step ensures the test content aligns with your professional communication needs.
   Example: A physiotherapist, Priya, selected "Physiotherapy" to receive case notes for a referral letter specific to her practice during the Writing sub-test.

3. Choose Test Date and Location
   The OET is offered multiple times a year in three modes: OET on Paper, OET on Computer at a test venue, and OET@Home. Select a test date and location that suits your schedule. Popular test centers in cities like Mumbai, London, or Melbourne often fill up quickly, so it's best to book early.
   Example: John, a nurse in Dubai, booked his OET on Paper for March 8, 2025, at a local test center, confirming availability three months in advance to secure his preferred slot.

4. Complete Personal Details
   Please fill out the registration form with your contact information and upload a passport-sized photograph that adheres to OET guidelines. Ensure your ID details match your registration to avoid issues on test day.
   Example: Maria, a pharmacist, double-checked that her passport name matched her myOET profile to prevent discrepancies during the verification process.

5. Pay the Test Fee
   The standard fee for the full OET (all four sub-tests) in 2025 is AUD 587 (approximately INR 31,830 or USD 455, depending on exchange rates). Payment can be made via Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal through the secure Stripe platform. For candidates retaking specific sub-tests, the fees are:

• One sub-test: AUD 315

• Two sub-tests: AUD 415

• Three sub-tests: AUD 515
  Example: After scoring a C in Writing, Dr. Ahmed opted to retake only the Writing subtest for AUD 315, saving costs compared to retaking the entire test.

6. Confirm Your Booking
   Upon payment, you'll receive a confirmation email with test details. Please save this email, as it may be required on test day. Use your myOET account to manage bookings or update details if needed.
   Example: Nurse Emily printed her confirmation email and brought it to the test center in Sydney, ensuring a smooth check-in process.

7. Accommodations for Specific Needs
   Candidates with disabilities or special requirements can request accommodations during registration. Contact OET support in advance with supporting documentation to arrange adjustments, such as extra time or accessible venues.
   Example: A visually impaired candidate, Ravi, submitted medical documentation to OET support and received enlarged print materials for his OET on Paper exam.

OET Exam Fees in 2025: Detailed Breakdown

Understanding the OET fee structure is essential for effective financial planning. Below is a comprehensive overview of the costs as of 2025, based on the latest information from sources like oetpro.com and the official OET website.

Standard Fees

• Full Test (All Four Sub-Tests): AUD 587 (approximately INR 31,830 or USD 455 in the USA). This covers Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, including an AUD 7 online booking fee.

• Individual Sub-Tests:

• One sub-test: AUD 315

• Two sub-tests: AUD 415

• Three sub-tests: AUD 515
  Example: A dentist, Clara, who needed to improve her Speaking score, paid AUD 315 to retake only that sub-test, avoiding the full test fee.

Additional Costs

• Rescheduling Fees:

• Before the booking deadline: AUD 120

• After the deadline but before the Sunday before the test: AUD 200

• Example: Dr. Lee rescheduled his OET@Home test a week before the date, paying AUD 120 to align with his preparation timeline.

• Cancellation Fees:

• Before the application deadline: AUD 120

• After the deadline but before 23:59 on the Sunday before the test: AUD 200

• No refunds are issued for cancellations after the Monday before the test.

• Example: Nurse Fatima cancelled her test two weeks prior due to a scheduling conflict and received a partial refund after paying the AUD 120 fee.

• Remarking or Additional Reports: Requesting a remark or extra score reports for institutions incurs additional charges, typically AUD 80–120 per service.

• Late Booking Fee: Registering less than two weeks before the test may incur a fee of USD 116 per sub-test in some regions, although this varies by test center.

Factors Affecting Fees

• Currency Exchange Rates: Fees in local currencies (e.g., INR or USD) fluctuate based on exchange rates. Always verify the exact amount during registration.

• Test Format and Location: Costs may vary slightly due to local administrative expenses. For instance, OET@Home may have additional proctoring fees in some regions.

• Promotional Offers: Some test centers or organizations offer early booking discounts or employer sponsorships. Check with your employer or local healthcare bodies for potential support.
  Example: A hospital in Singapore sponsored half of Nurse Raj's OET fee, reducing his out-of-pocket cost to AUD 293.50.

Test Modes and Flexibility

The OET is offered in three modes, each maintaining identical content and standards:

1. OET on Paper: Conducted at test venues with pen-and-paper formats for all sub-tests. Ideal for those preferring a traditional setting.

2. OET on Computer: Taken at test centers with digital interfaces for Listening, Reading, and Writing, and a face-to-face Speaking test. Suitable for tech-savvy candidates.

3. OET@Home: A remote option with all sub-tests conducted online, including a video-based Speaking test. Requires a stable internet connection and webcam.
   Example: Dr. Sofia, living in a rural area, chose OET@Home to avoid travelling to a test center, ensuring a quiet environment for her exam.

Upcoming OET Test Dates for 2025

The OET is offered multiple times a month, with specific professions available on specific dates. Below are key dates for September–December 2025, based on the latest OET calendar:

OET on Paper

• September 6, 2025: Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography

• September 13, 2025: Medicine, Nursing

• October 4, 2025: Nursing, Medicine, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Podiatry, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science

• November 1, 2025: Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography

• December 13, 2025: Nursing, Medicine

OET on Computer and OET@Home

• Multiple dates monthly (e.g., September 5, 12, 19, 2025). Check the OET booking portal for real-time availability.
  Example: Pharmacist Anil booked an OET computer test for September 12, 2025, to align with his Canadian licensing timeline.

Key Notes:

• Bookings for OET on Paper close 24 days prior, and OET on Computer/OET@Home close 7 days prior.

• Results are typically available 10–14 business days after the test, accessible via the myOET portal.

• Please confirm your profession's availability for your chosen date, as not all 12 professions are available every time.

Rescheduling and Cancellation Policies

• Rescheduling: Possible up to two days before the test (same-day for OET@Home technical issues). Fees are AUD 120 (paid before the deadline) or AUD 200 (paid after the deadline).

• Cancellation: Refunds are available if cancelled at least one week before the test, minus a fee of AUD 120–200; no refund is available after this period. Notes are available on Monday before the test.

• Managing Bookings: Use your myOET account to update details, reschedule, or cancel your booking.
  Example: Nurse Michael rescheduled his November 1, 2025, test to November 15 due to a work conflict, paying AUD 120 through his myOET account.

Expert Tips for OET Booking and Preparation

1. Book Early: Popular test centers fill up quickly. Register at least two months in advance to secure your preferred date and location.

2. Verify Requirements: Check the specific score requirements of your target institution (e.g., NMC requires a B in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and C+ in Writing for nurses).

3. Use Official Resources: Access free practice tests and study guides on the OET website to familiarize yourself with the test format.

4. Budget Wisely: Factor in potential rescheduling or remarking fees when planning your finances.

5. Test Mode Selection: Choose OET@Home only if you have a reliable internet connection and a quiet environment to avoid technical disruptions.
   Example: Dr. Chen practiced with OET's free Writing samples to perfect her referral letter format, boosting her confidence for the exam.

Booking the OET in 2025 is a straightforward process when approached with planning and awareness of the latest updates. By creating a myOET account, selecting your profession, choosing a test mode and date, and paying the AUD 587 fee (or less for individual sub-tests), you can secure your spot. 

Additional costs, such as rescheduling (AUD 120–200) or remarking, should be considered. Early booking is crucial to avoid late fees or unavailable slots. With test dates available throughout 2025 and flexible modes like OET@Home, candidates have ample opportunities to demonstrate their English proficiency. 

Leverage resources from oetpro.com and the official OET website to stay informed and prepare effectively, ensuring a smooth path to achieving your healthcare career goals abroad.