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PTE Score for Australia PR (New Scores From August 2025)

Since 7 August 2025, Australia uses new PTE Academic minimums for each skill. Proficient English (10 points) needs Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69 and Speaking 76. Superior English (20 points) needs 69, 70, 85 and 88. Competent English, the basic level for skilled visas, needs 47, 48, 51 and 54 and gives no extra points. Every skill must reach the level, not just the overall.

Last updated: 13 October 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

Competent (0 points)

L 47 · R 48 · W 51 · S 54

Proficient (10 points)

L 58 · R 59 · W 69 · S 76

Superior (20 points)

L 69 · R 70 · W 85 · S 88

Applies to

PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025

Rule

Your lowest skill sets your level

PTE Academic scores for each English level

The Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum for each of the four skills. These are the scores for PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

Writing and Speaking need the highest scores. For Superior, that means 85 in Writing and 88 in Speaking, which is where most candidates fall short.

What changed on 7 August 2025?

The test still has the same name, but Home Affairs now treats it as a different test with different score minimums. Under the old scale, Superior was 79 in each skill. Results from tests taken before 7 August 2025 use the old scores and may stay valid for up to 3 years, depending on the visa.

Your lowest skill sets your level

Home Affairs looks at each skill on its own. If you score Listening 75, Reading 74, Writing 84 and Speaking 90, your Writing is below the Superior minimum of 85, so you are assessed as Proficient (10 points), not Superior (20 points).

The IELTS equivalent

IELTS General Training and Academic are both accepted. As with PTE, the lowest skill decides: an overall 8.0 with Reading 7.5 counts as Proficient.

How the English points fit into your PR score

For points-tested skilled visas such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), you need at least 65 points to be invited. English gives 0 points at Competent, 10 at Proficient and 20 at Superior. Invitations depend on how many people apply in your occupation, so extra English points can make a real difference.

PTE or IELTS for Australia?

• PTE is computer-marked and fully on screen. Clear, steady speaking and accurate typing matter most.
• IELTS has a face-to-face Speaking test and an examiner marks your Writing.
• Pick the one where your weakest skill is stronger. Taking a timed practice test in each is the quickest way to find out.

Official sources

• Proficient English (Department of Home Affairs)
• Superior English (Department of Home Affairs)
• Competent English (Department of Home Affairs)
• Points table for the Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189 (Department of Home Affairs)

Rules and scores change. Check the official pages above before you book a test or apply.

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