OET test dates and how to book
When does OET run, how do you book, and what is the lead time? A practical guide to the OET test schedule, including OET@Home vs test-centre options.
Booking OET is straightforward, but two things trip candidates up:
- The schedule is tighter than IELTS — about 16 sittings a year, not weekly
- Demand spikes 2–3 months before each sitting, especially for in-centre slots
This guide is the practical breakdown of when OET runs, how to book, and how to plan around the lead time.
How often does OET run?
OET runs approximately 16 times per year. That's not weekly — it's roughly every three weeks, with clustering around certain months.
You can take OET in two formats:
| Format | Where | What it costs | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| OET on Paper | At an approved test centre | Standard fee | Universally accepted |
| OET on Computer | At an approved test centre | Standard fee | Universally accepted |
| OET@Home | Online from your home | Standard fee | Accepted by most regulators (confirm yours) |
OET@Home runs more frequently than test-centre sittings (often weekly windows). If you're flexible on format and your regulator accepts OET@Home, it's the faster option.
The booking flow
- Create an account on myoet.oet.com
- Confirm your profession (12 supported)
- Choose your sitting date + format
- Choose your test centre (if applicable)
- Pay (online via card)
- Receive confirmation email + test instructions
Lead time you need to plan around
| Action | Window |
|---|---|
| Booking opens for a sitting | Typically 3–4 months ahead |
| Booking closes (paper) | Usually 4–6 weeks before sitting |
| Booking closes (OET@Home) | Usually 2 weeks before sitting |
| Results released | Approximately 16 business days after sitting |
| Results sent to regulators | Within a few business days of release |
Practical implication: if your registration deadline with a regulator is, say, 6 months away, you have time for one sitting + one re-sit. If your deadline is 3 months away, you need to book the next available sitting right now.
How to pick the right sitting
Three factors:
1. Your readiness curve
You usually peak about 1–2 weeks after your last full timed practice test. Plan to be at full speed in the week leading up to the sitting.
2. Re-sit margin
Book your first sitting about 4–6 months before your registration deadline. That leaves room to re-sit one sub-test if needed without risking your visa or job offer.
3. Test centre availability
Popular centres in Manila, New Delhi, Karachi, Lagos, and Cebu fill up first. If you've decided on a centre, book as soon as the sitting opens.
OET@Home — the practical details
System requirements:
- A quiet, well-lit room with no other people
- A desktop or laptop (no tablets)
- A working webcam and microphone
- Stable internet (wired connection strongly recommended)
- ID document ready to show
The test runs about 3 hours in one continuous sitting. You can take a 5-minute scheduled break.
Common OET@Home failures:
- Background noise — even a moment of voice from someone else can trigger a flag
- Webcam blocked or moved — your face must be visible throughout
- Internet drops — wired ethernet is recommended; phone hotspot is risky
- ID issues — show your passport, not a driver's licence
Test-centre — the practical details
What to bring:
- Original passport (no copies)
- Booking confirmation
- A clear water bottle (some centres)
- Nothing electronic except an analog watch (no phone, no headphones)
Plan for arrival:
- Arrive 30 minutes early
- Expect ID + biometric check
- Plan a quiet route in (no last-minute studying in the car park)
Cost
See our detailed OET fees and cost breakdown. The fee is AU$587 (about US$417) for both paper-based and OET@Home, and it is the same wherever you sit — OET bills in Australian dollars everywhere outside the United States, so there is no cheaper region.
How to find a centre near you
Use the official OET site test-centre finder. Common cities for migrating healthcare professionals:
- Manila — Philippines (very high volume)
- New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi — India
- Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad — Pakistan
- Lagos, Abuja — Nigeria
- Dubai, Abu Dhabi — UAE
- London, Manchester, Birmingham — UK
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane — Australia
- Toronto, Vancouver — Canada (for OET-accepting nursing routes)
What about re-sit dates?
If you need to re-sit, you can typically book the next available sitting within 1–2 weeks of your result. Some regulators allow partial re-sits (e.g. Speaking only) at a reduced fee — check the OET site for current options. See our how to re-sit OET guide for the practical workflow.
Results timing
OET results are released about 16 business days after your sitting. The release happens at a single set time globally, so candidates from the same sitting see results simultaneously.
Once released, you can:
- Send results to your regulator directly through the OET portal (free for most regulators)
- Download a copy for your records
- Request additional verifications if needed
Common booking mistakes
- Booking too late — leaves no re-sit margin
- Picking OET@Home without confirming your regulator accepts it — most do, but a few only accept test-centre
- Booking without checking your country's holiday calendar — some sittings fall on local holidays
- Forgetting to register your regulator so results auto-flow at release
Next steps
- Cost detail: OET fees and cost
- Format choice: OET at-home vs test-centre
- If you need to re-sit: How to re-sit OET
When you're booked and Speaking is the bottleneck, download OET Live.
