The Department of Home Affairs changed PTE Academic score requirements on August 7, 2025. The new component-based scoring system means different minimum scores for listening, reading, writing, and speaking. These changes affect all visa applications lodged from August 7, 2025, onwards.

Tests completed before August 7, 2025, remain valid under the previous scoring criteria for up to three years. However, you need to understand which thresholds apply to your situation. The updated requirements reflect revised concordance data from Pearson to ensure fair equivalence across all approved English proficiency tests.

This guide explains the new PTE score requirements for different visa types, how the changes affect points claims for skilled migration, and what these updates mean for your Australian visa application. If you're planning to apply for permanent residency in 2026, understanding these requirements is critical.

New PTE Score Requirements Effective August 7, 2025

The major change involves component-level scoring instead of uniform thresholds across all four skills. Writing and speaking requirements increased while listening and reading requirements decreased. This reflects the practical importance of productive skills in everyday communication.

Competent English

Competent English requires PTE Academic overall score 50 with minimum component scores:

  • Listening: 47
  • Reading: 47
  • Writing: 54
  • Speaking: 54

Previously, Competent English required a consistent score of 50 in each component. The new thresholds are more balanced, acknowledging that different skills play different roles in real-world communication. Most visa applications require at least Competent English as the minimum qualification.

Proficient English

Proficient English requires PTE Academic overall score 65 with minimum component scores:

  • Listening: 58
  • Reading: 59
  • Writing: 69
  • Speaking: 70

The previous requirement was 65 in each component uniformly. The new writing and speaking thresholds are notably higher. Proficient English adds 10 points to your skilled migration points score, making it valuable for points-based visa applications.

Superior English

Superior English requires PTE Academic overall score 79 with minimum component scores:

  • Listening: 69
  • Reading: 70
  • Writing: 85
  • Speaking: 88

Previous requirements were 79 in each component. The new thresholds show significant increases in writing and speaking, with writing jumping from 79 to 85 and speaking from 79 to 88. Superior English adds 20 points to skilled migration applications, often making the difference between receiving an invitation or not.

Why Requirements Changed

Pearson released updated concordance data comparing PTE Academic with other English language tests like IELTS and TOEFL. The Australian Government adjusted PTE thresholds to maintain fair alignment across all approved English tests. This ensures applicants using different tests face comparable difficulty in meeting English requirements.

PTE Scores by Visa Type

Different visa categories require different English proficiency levels. Understanding which level your visa requires helps you target the right score during preparation.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Student visas require Competent English as the minimum. The PTE overall score 50 with components 47, 47, 54, 54 meets this requirement. Some students can apply with lower scores if enrolled in 10-20 weeks of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before their main course.

Individual universities may set higher requirements for specific programs. Engineering, medicine, and law programs often require Proficient English or higher. Always check your chosen university's specific requirements before booking your test. Our guide to student visa work hours covers additional student visa requirements.

Skilled Migration Visas (189, 190, 491)

Competent English is the absolute minimum for skilled migration applications. However, achieving only Competent English gives you 0 additional points in the points test. This makes you less competitive compared to applicants with higher scores.

Proficient English adds 10 points to your total score. This often makes the difference between receiving an invitation to apply or waiting months in the Expression of Interest queue. Superior English adds 20 points, providing significant advantage in competitive occupations.

Recent invitation rounds show most successful skilled migration applicants have Proficient or Superior English. The minimum 65 points rarely gets invitations anymore. Realistic competitive scores range from 80-95 points depending on your occupation and visa subclass.

Employer Sponsored Visas (482 SID, 186)

The Skills in Demand visa requires Competent English minimum for all streams. Some employer nomination arrangements may require higher English levels depending on the occupation and employer requirements.

Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream requires Competent English minimum. The Temporary Residence Transition stream for applicants transitioning from 482 or SID visas also requires Competent English.

Partner Visas (820/801, 309/100)

Partner visas require Competent English for the primary applicant. The PTE score 50 overall with components 47, 47, 54, 54 satisfies this requirement. Higher English scores don't provide additional benefits for partner visa applications, unlike skilled migration pathways.

Functional English is sufficient if the partner visa applicant pays an additional fee for English language tuition. Functional English for PTE Academic is overall score 30 with minimum 24 in each component. More information about partner visa requirements is available in our detailed guide.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The 485 visa requires Competent English minimum. Post-study work stream and graduate work stream both use the same English requirement. Tests must be taken within three years of your visa application.

International students should plan their PTE test timing carefully. Results must be valid when lodging the 485 application. Since PTE results remain valid for three years, taking the test toward the end of your studies works well for most applicants.

Points System Strategy for Skilled Migration

English proficiency significantly impacts your Expression of Interest (EOI) score. The points breakdown is:

  • Competent English: 0 points
  • Proficient English: 10 points
  • Superior English: 20 points

Achieving Proficient or Superior English should be a priority if you're pursuing skilled independent or state-nominated visas. The difference between Competent and Superior English is 20 points. This can move you from having 65 points (minimum) to 85 points (highly competitive).

Many applicants underestimate the importance of English scores. They focus on increasing work experience or pursuing additional qualifications while ignoring English improvement. However, English points are often easier to achieve than other point categories.

Investing time in focused PTE preparation delivers measurable results. Most test takers can improve their scores by 10-15 points with targeted preparation over 8-12 weeks. This improvement translates directly into EOI points that increase invitation chances.

For applicants in highly competitive occupations like accountancy or IT, Superior English becomes almost essential. Recent invitation rounds for these occupations show cutoff scores above 90 points. Without Superior English (20 points), reaching competitive totals becomes very difficult.

PTE Test Validity and Important Rules

PTE Academic results remain valid for three years from the test date. You must take the test at an approved secure testing center. Remote or online tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes from August 7, 2025, onwards. This includes PTE Academic Online and any other at-home testing formats.

You cannot combine scores from multiple test attempts. Your visa application must use scores from a single test sitting. All four component scores (listening, reading, writing, speaking) must meet the required thresholds for your target English level.

If you score Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 65, Speaking 70, you would be classified as Competent English (0 points) because your writing score of 65 falls below the Proficient threshold of 69. All components must meet or exceed the threshold for your claimed English level.

Test availability varies by location and date. Popular test centers in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane often have waiting periods of 2-4 weeks for preferred time slots. Book your test early, especially during peak seasons like November-February when many applications are lodged.

Results are typically available within 2-5 business days. You can send scores directly to the Department of Home Affairs through your PTE account. This automated score reporting is accepted for visa applications and removes the need for certified copies.

Desire Immigration PTE Coaching Services

Desire Immigration offers comprehensive PTE preparation courses designed specifically for Australian visa applicants. Our coaching includes practice labs with real test simulations, proven score improvement strategies, and personalized feedback on speaking and writing tasks.

Mrs. Manisha Bhutani (Registered Migration Agent MARN 2217756) and our team understand exactly what English levels you need for different visa applications. We've helped hundreds of students and skilled migrants achieve their target PTE scores.

Free initial consultations are available to assess your current English level and develop a preparation plan. Contact our Melbourne offices in Truganina, St Albans, or CBD to learn more about our PTE coaching programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What PTE score is needed for Australian visas in 2026?

The required PTE score depends on your visa type. Student visas need Competent English (PTE 50 overall with components 47, 47, 54, 54). Skilled migration visas need minimum Competent English, but Proficient (PTE 65 with 58, 59, 69, 70) or Superior (PTE 79 with 69, 70, 85, 88) is strongly recommended for competitive points scores. Employer-sponsored and partner visas require Competent English minimum.

Did PTE requirements change in August 2025?

Yes, PTE requirements changed significantly on August 7, 2025. The new component-based scoring means different thresholds for listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Writing and speaking requirements increased while listening and reading requirements decreased slightly. Tests taken before August 7, 2025, remain valid under old thresholds for up to three years.

How many points does PTE score give for skilled migration?

Competent English gives 0 points. Proficient English adds 10 points to your total score. Superior English adds 20 points. For partner skills points, your partner needs Competent English minimum. The 20-point difference between Competent and Superior English often determines whether you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency.

Is PTE valid for Australian visas?

Yes, PTE Academic is fully accepted for all Australian visa types. It's one of nine approved English tests recognized by the Department of Home Affairs. Results are valid for three years from test date. You must take the test at a secure testing center. Remote or online tests are not accepted for visa purposes from August 7, 2025, onwards.