Minimum PTE Score Requirements for Australia Visa & PR in 2025

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a widely popular English Language Proficiency Test for various immigration programs in Australia by the Department of Home Affairs. It is a Computer-based test that evaluates the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills of a test-taker and gives a score out of 90 for the components. The Immigration department has set eligibility criteria for English Language Proficiency for each program and scheme. 

The Immigration Department has divided the English Language Proficiency Scores for Immigration programs into 5 Levels. This allows them to compare scores from different exams and score sets easily and set the eligibility criteria.

1. Functional
2. Vocational
3. Competent
4. Proficient
5. Superier

The Proficient Level is the minimum expected level to earn points for Skilled Migration programs such as Permanent Residency under Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489), Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) schemes.

Let's explore the Minimum PTE Score requirements for Immigrations Programs and Visas for Australia coming from non-English speaking Countries. 

Latest PTE Score Requirements after 7th August 2025

Starting 7th August 2025, the Australian Immigration Department has updated the scores across Proficiency Levels for the PTE Exam. 

The department will evaluate the PTE Exam Scores of the test takers who appeared for the Exam on or after 7th August 2025, based on the new criteria. However, the test reports on or before 6th August 2025 will be considered according to the old criteria only. Please note that Score Reports will remain valid and only the eligibility criteria have been changed. 

Minimum PTE Score Requirements for Studying in Australian Universities

The top-ranking universities have a minimum PTE Score requirement based on the selected Course. For example, they have higher English language requirements for Medical, Law, and some specific programs, and general requirements for other programs. It is highly recommended to have at least a 65 Overall score with a minimum of 60 in any test component for better admission chances and a higher visa approval rate.

PTE Score Requirements for Student Visa (subclass 500) by Immigration Department

The Immigration Department of Australia requires a minimum score of 42 in each test component and an overall score of 50 for Student Visa applications. The test score report must be valid and not older than 2 years at the time of application. But most Universities and Educational institutions in Australia require a higher score for admission. 

• Overall - 50
• Listening - 42
• Reading - 42
• Writing - 42
• Speaking - 42

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Minimum PTE Score Requirement for Australia PR

For the Australian Permanent Residency program, the applicant must achieve the Proficient or Superior Language Proficiency Level in an exam such as PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, etc to earn points. As per the latest update, the minimum PTE Score requirement has been changed from 7th August onwards for the Australian PR program. Earlier, the applicant needed a minimum of 65 in all components in Proficient Level for Eligibility, which has been changed to 58 in Listening, 59 in Reading, 69 in Writing, and 76 in Speaking. However, the PTE tests before and after 7th August remain valid for all Immigration programs of Australia.

This is applicable for the following Visa SubClasses

1. Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
2. Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
3. Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
4. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

In the Proficient Level in English Language Proficiency program, the applicant gets 10 points, while for the Superior level, they earn 20 points. While there are no points for lower levels. Generally, the PTE Scorecard is valid for 2 years from the date of the test, but the Immigration Department of Australia accepts PTE Scores taken within the last 3 years.

Which one is better for Australia: PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL

We often come across a situation where we have to choose among PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, and other Exams for the Immigration programs such as a Study Visa, Work Visa, or Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia. Here is a quick comparison of English Language Exams to choose the best one. 

Score Comparison between PTE, IELTS & TOEFL

Here is the quick comparison between PTE, IELTS, and TOEFL iBT scores for Australian Visas and PR. The Conversion is aligned with Official Comparison charts from Pearson, IDP India, and ETS. 

The Score comparison mentioned above is for reference purposes only. Use the website of Home Affairs of Australia for the Exact Requirements for a particular Immigration program. 

Which PTE Version is acceptable to the Home Affairs of Australia

The PTE has three main versions available - PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, and PTE Core. Out of these, the Home Affairs of Australia, responsible for Immigration, has accepted PTE Academic for Study, Work, and Permanent Residency in Australia. The rest of the versions, such as PTE UKVI and PTE Core, are not accepted for any of the Immigration programs in Australia. 

Source: The Information mentioned above is collected and verified from Department of Home Affairs, Australia and University Websites on 12nd August 2025 by our Counselling and Language Experts.