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English Tests for Australia PR and Skilled Visas: IELTS, PTE and More
For Australia PR and skilled visas, the Department of Home Affairs accepts several English tests, including IELTS and PTE Academic. What matters is the English level your score proves: Competent, Proficient or Superior. That level affects eligibility and points. The exact score for each level is on the official Home Affairs page.
PrepEve provides language coaching, not immigration advice. For your own case, check the official page or speak to a licensed adviser.
- Who sets the rules
- Department of Home Affairs
- Accepted tests
- Several, including IELTS and PTE Academic
- English levels
- Competent, Proficient, Superior
- Score thresholds
- Changed in 2024–25 — check the official page
What are Competent, Proficient and Superior English?
They are the English levels Home Affairs uses for skilled visas. According to the Department of Home Affairs, each level is defined by a minimum score on each accepted test.
| Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Competent English | Commonly the minimum for skilled visa eligibility |
| Proficient English | A higher level that can add points in the skilled points test |
| Superior English | The highest level, which can add more points |
So your English score does two jobs. It can make you eligible, and a higher level can raise your points score. Points and cut-offs are set by Home Affairs and change; check the official visa page for your subclass.
Which English tests are accepted for Australia PR?
According to the Department of Home Affairs, several tests are accepted, including IELTS and PTE Academic. The Home Affairs English language page lists every accepted test and the score each needs for each level.
Check three details before you book:
- The test version your visa accepts (for example, IELTS General Training or Academic).
- How recent your results must be for your visa.
- Whether your score must meet the minimum in each skill, not just overall.
What IELTS or PTE score do I need for Australia PR?
It depends on the English level you are aiming for. Home Affairs changed the score thresholds in 2024–25, so older blog posts and videos may show outdated numbers. We don't repeat them here.
Use the official Home Affairs English language page to find the current IELTS and PTE Academic scores for Competent, Proficient and Superior English. Then set your target one level above your minimum if the extra points matter to you.
When people search "PTE score for Australia", they usually mean the PTE Academic score that equals Proficient or Superior English. The idea is the same as for IELTS: find the level you need, then read that level's PTE score on the official page.
Should I take IELTS or PTE for Australia?
Both are accepted. Choose the one where you can reach your target level in every skill most reliably.
| IELTS | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper or computer | Computer only |
| Speaking | Face to face with an examiner | Recorded into a microphone |
| Marking | Examiners for Writing and Speaking | Computer-scored |
- Choose IELTS if you speak more naturally to a person, write better with time to plan, or already know the IELTS format.
- Choose PTE Academic if you type quickly, are comfortable speaking to a microphone, and prefer short, fast tasks.
Read the full comparison: PTE vs IELTS. For coaching, see IELTS coaching for Australia or PTE coaching.
Why students choose PrepEve for Australia
Proficient or Superior English is usually lost in one skill, not all four. PrepEve is online coaching, based in India and Canada, that finds that skill and fixes it:
The PrepEve Method: 01 Assess · 02 Diagnose · 03 Train · 04 Correct · 05 Repeat → exam ready. We find exactly why you're losing marks — in IELTS or PTE — and train you until those weaknesses are fixed.
- One team, many tests. The same trainers — Sanjita, Lesancy Sharma and Khushpreet — coach IELTS (Academic and General Training), PTE, CELPIP, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test.
- Trainer correction, not generic lessons. IELTS Live Coaching starts by finding where you lose marks; a trainer then tells you exactly what to change and you practise until the mistake is gone.
- Trainer-marked writing and 1-on-1 speaking mocks. Writing and Speaking are where most target scores are missed; both get human feedback.
- Proof, not promises. 15,000+ students trained and 4.7★ on Google from 300+ reviews.
- 5 full-length IELTS mock tests on Live Coaching. You see whether every skill holds under exam timing before you book.
For PTE preparation plans and fees, ask us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS accepted for Australia PR?
Is PTE accepted for Australia PR?
What PTE score do I need for Australia?
What IELTS score do I need for Australia PR?
Does a higher English level give more points?
Does PrepEve give immigration advice?
Find the skill standing between you and Proficient English
Book a free PrepEve assessment class. A trainer runs a live mini-class, finds where you are losing marks and gives you a study plan to keep.