Booking your OET exam is straightforward once you know the steps. The entire process is online, takes about 15 minutes, and you will receive your confirmation immediately. This guide walks you through each step, including the decisions you need to make along the way.
Before You Start: What You Need
- A valid email address for your OET account
- Your passport or government-issued photo ID (the name must match your registration exactly)
- A debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express)
- Your profession (nursing, medicine, etc.) — this determines your Writing and Speaking content
Decide in advance which test format (computer, paper, or @Home) and approximate date you want. Check availability on oet.com before starting the registration.
Step 1: Create Your OET Account
Go to oet.com and click 'Book OET.' If you are a new user, click 'Create Account.' You will need to provide your full name (as it appears on your ID), email address, date of birth, and contact number. Verify your email address through the confirmation link sent to your inbox.
If you have an existing account from a previous test, log in with your existing credentials.
Step 2: Select Your Profession
Choose your healthcare profession from the dropdown menu. For nurses, select 'Nursing.' For doctors, select 'Medicine.' This selection determines the content of your Writing and Speaking sub-tests — it cannot be changed after booking without cancelling and rebooking.
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Step 3: Choose Your Test Format
You have three options:
OET on Computer
Taken at a Prometric test centre. Most flexible scheduling with multiple dates per month. Results in approximately 10 business days. This is the most popular choice.
OET on Paper
Taken at designated venues on fixed dates (approximately twice per month). Results in approximately 16 business days. Allows individual sub-test retakes.
OET@Home
Taken remotely on your own computer with online proctoring. Same dates as computer-based tests. Requires a stable internet connection, webcam, microphone, and a quiet private room. Ideal if you live far from a test centre.
Step 4: Select Your Test Date and Location
Browse available dates and test centres. For computer-based tests, you can filter by country and city. Popular centres (especially in Kerala and Punjab for Indian candidates) fill up quickly — if your preferred date is not available, try a nearby centre or a different date.
For OET@Home, select any available date — no physical centre is required.
Step 5: Review and Pay
Confirm your details: name, profession, test format, date, and location. The fee for all four sub-tests is AUD 587 plus AUD 7 booking fee. Payment is processed immediately by debit or credit card.
After payment, you receive a booking confirmation email with your test details, reporting time, and instructions. Save this email — you will need the booking reference on test day.
Step 6: Prepare for Test Day
- Bring the same photo ID you used to register. The name must match exactly — any mismatch can result in being turned away.
- Arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
- For OET@Home, complete the system check (internet speed, webcam, microphone) at least 24 hours before your test.
- You cannot bring personal items into the test room — phones, watches, notes, and bags must be stored outside.
After Booking: What If You Need to Change?
- Rescheduling: Log into your OET account, go to 'My Bookings,' and select 'Reschedule.' Fees apply (AUD 120 if more than 7 days before; AUD 200 if within 7 days).
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- Cancellation: Select 'Cancel' from 'My Bookings.' Partial refunds are available depending on timing (see OET cancellation policy).
- Name change: If your ID name does not match your registration (due to a typo or name change), contact OET support immediately. Do not arrive at the test centre with mismatched names.
Common Booking Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the wrong profession. If you are a nurse who accidentally selects 'Medicine,' your Writing and Speaking tasks will be doctor-specific. Double-check before confirming.
- Name mismatch between registration and ID. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport — no nicknames, no abbreviated middle names.
- Booking too late for popular centres. Indian test centres in Kerala and Punjab fill up weeks in advance. Book as soon as dates are published.
- Forgetting to bring ID on test day. No ID means no test — and no refund.
The booking process is simple and fully online. The most important things are choosing the right profession, booking early enough to get your preferred date, and ensuring your name matches your ID exactly.