If you are planning to study, work, or migrate to Australia, you may need to prove your English language proficiency. PTE Academic is one of the English language tests accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for eligible visa applications.
However, there is no single PTE score required for everyone. The score you need depends on your visa type, English proficiency level, university, course, and individual circumstances.
This guide explains the PTE score requirements for Australia, including student visas, skilled migration, and different English proficiency levels.
Is PTE Accepted in Australia?
Yes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts PTE Academic as an approved English language test for Australian visa and migration purposes.
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Australia introduced updated English language test requirements. Therefore, students and migration applicants should make sure they are checking the latest score requirements rather than relying on older PTE score tables.
The test must also meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements. Fully online or at-home English tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes.
What PTE Score Is Required for Australia?
There is no universal minimum PTE score for Australia. Your required score depends on why you are going to Australia.
For example, the requirements for:
an Australian Student Visa
skilled migration
university admission
professional registration
can all be different.
It is therefore important to check both your visa requirements and, if you are studying, the admission requirements of your chosen university.
PTE Score Required for Australian Student Visa
For a Subclass 500 Student Visa, applicants who need to provide English-language evidence can use PTE Academic.
For PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum scores specified by the Department of Home Affairs are:
| Study Situation | Minimum PTE Academic Score |
|---|---|
| Standard requirement | 47 |
| With at least 10 weeks of eligible ELICOS, Foundation or eligible Pathway program | 39 |
| With at least 20 weeks of ELICOS | 31 |
These are visa-related requirements. Your university or educational institution may require a higher PTE score for admission.
PTE Score Required for Australian Universities
Australian universities and colleges set their own PTE Academic admission requirements.
According to Pearson’s general guidance, typical minimum scores may fall around:
Foundation courses: 36–50
Undergraduate degrees: 51–60
Postgraduate degrees: 57–67
These are general ranges rather than guaranteed admission requirements.
Some courses, particularly those involving professional registration or demanding English-language skills, may have higher requirements.
Always check the requirements of your specific university and course before booking your PTE test.
PTE Score for Australian Skilled Migration
English proficiency can also play an important role in Australian skilled migration.
Australia categorises English proficiency into levels such as:
Competent English
For PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum component scores for Competent English are:
Listening: 47
Reading: 48
Writing: 51
Speaking: 54
Applicants submitting an Expression of Interest for skilled migration may need at least Competent English, depending on their circumstances.
Proficient English
For Proficient English, the minimum PTE Academic scores are:
Listening: 58
Reading: 59
Writing: 69
Speaking: 76
Achieving Proficient English can be particularly important for applicants seeking additional points in Australia’s points-based skilled migration system.
Superior English
For Superior English, the minimum PTE Academic scores are:
Listening: 69
Reading: 70
Writing: 85
Speaking: 88
Superior English represents a higher level of English proficiency and may provide additional points for eligible skilled migration applicants.
Why Do PTE Scores for Australia Look Different Now?
One important point for PTE candidates is that the Australian Government changed its approved English-test requirements on 7 August 2025.
As a result, you may still find older websites mentioning scores such as:
PTE 50 for Competent English
PTE 65 for Proficient English
PTE 79 for Superior English
Those figures apply to the previous PTE requirements for eligible tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, subject to the relevant visa rules and validity periods.
Candidates taking PTE now should therefore use the requirements applicable to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Is PTE 50 Enough for Australia?
A PTE score of 50 may be sufficient for some purposes, but it cannot be considered enough for every Australian visa, university, or course.
For example, the current standard PTE Academic minimum listed for the Subclass 500 Student Visa is 47 for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
However, a university may require a score above 50 for admission to a particular undergraduate or postgraduate program.
Your individual component scores can also matter for some migration requirements.
Is PTE 65 Enough for Australia?
A score around 65 can be a strong result for many study purposes, but whether it is enough depends on your objective.
For university admission, some undergraduate and postgraduate courses may accept scores in this range. Other programs can have higher requirements or minimum scores for individual skills.
For skilled migration, you should not rely only on your overall PTE score because the Department of Home Affairs specifies minimum scores for individual components for different English proficiency levels.
Is PTE 79 Still Required for Australia?
You may have heard that candidates should aim for PTE 79+ for Australian migration.
This advice is largely based on the previous PTE scoring requirements. For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, a minimum score of 79 in each component was associated with Superior English.
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Australia uses updated component requirements. Therefore, candidates should follow the current Department of Home Affairs requirements applicable to their test date and visa.
How Much PTE Score Should You Aim For?
Rather than preparing only for the absolute minimum, it can be useful to set a target above your required score.
Before deciding your target, check:
Your Australian visa subclass
Your university or institution
Your chosen course
Minimum individual skill requirements
Whether your migration pathway awards points for higher English proficiency
Once you know these requirements, you can set an appropriate PTE target.
How to Improve Your PTE Score for Australia
Good PTE preparation should cover all four major language skills:
Speaking
Practice speaking clearly and naturally. Work on pronunciation, oral fluency, and frequently tested speaking tasks.
Writing
Improve grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and your ability to organise ideas clearly.
Reading
Build your vocabulary and practise understanding passages quickly while identifying key information.
Listening
Regularly listen to different English accents and practise taking notes while listening.
Take Mock Tests
Mock tests can help you understand the PTE format, identify weak areas, improve time management, and measure your progress before the actual exam.
Online PTE Preparation
Students who find self-study difficult may benefit from structured PTE preparation.
Online preparation can help candidates:
understand the PTE test format
identify weaknesses
practise important question types
improve speaking and writing
receive feedback
develop time-management strategies
prepare through mock tests
A personalised preparation plan can be especially useful when you have a specific score requirement and limited time before your test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum PTE score for Australia?
There is no single minimum PTE score for all Australian purposes. For the standard Subclass 500 Student Visa requirement, the current minimum PTE Academic score is 47 for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. Other visas and universities have different requirements.
Is PTE accepted for an Australian Student Visa?
Yes. PTE Academic is an approved English language test for Australian visa purposes, including eligible Student Visa applications.
Is PTE 50 enough for an Australian Student Visa?
It can meet the current standard PTE score threshold of 47 for the Student Visa where that requirement applies, but your university or course may require a higher score.
What PTE score is required for Australian PR?
There is no single PTE score that guarantees Australian permanent residency. English requirements depend on your visa pathway. Skilled migration applicants may need Competent English, while achieving Proficient or Superior English may provide additional points.
Is PTE easier than IELTS for Australia?
Both tests assess English proficiency, but their formats are different. PTE is computer-based and may suit candidates who are comfortable with computer-delivered testing. The better option depends on your individual skills and preferences.
Final Thoughts
The PTE score required for Australia depends on whether you are applying for a student visa, university admission, skilled migration, or another pathway.
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Australia uses updated PTE Academic score requirements, so candidates should be careful when using older score charts available online.
Before beginning your preparation, check the latest requirements for your visa subclass and educational institution. Once you know your required score, build your preparation strategy around achieving that target in each relevant skill.
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