PTE score for Australia PR 2026: points, cutoffs and visas

Updated 9 July 2026 - about a 7-minute read

For most people chasing Australian permanent residency, English is the single biggest lever they fully control, and PTE Academic is one of the fastest ways to prove it. This guide explains the current Home Affairs PTE Academic cutoffs, how many migration points each English level earns, which visas accept PTE, and how older 50/65/79 rules still apply to some earlier test dates.

Is PTE accepted for Australia PR?

Yes. PTE Academic is accepted by the Department of Home Affairs as evidence of English for skilled-migration and student visas, alongside IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge and OET. Your four PTE skill scores are mapped to the same English levels, Competent, Proficient and Superior, that the points test is built around, so choosing PTE over another test does not change your eligibility, only your test-day experience and how fast you get the result.

PTE scores and Australian migration points

This is the table that decides everything for PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. To claim a level you must reach the listed score in each skill, not just overall.

So Competent English gets you in the door but earns no points; Proficient English adds 10 points; and Superior English adds the full 20. For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, the older PTE Academic cutoffs were 50, 65 and 79 in each skill, and those scores may still be usable for some visas until 6 August 2028. For the full mapping across every band, see our PTE score chart 2026.

Which visas accept PTE?

PTE Academic is accepted across the main skilled and study routes. The exact English minimum varies by visa and occupation, so treat these as the common cases and confirm your specific subclass:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and 190 (Skilled Nominated) — points-tested PR; English points come straight from the table above.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) — points-tested provisional visa leading to PR.
• Subclass 482 / 186 / 494 (employer-sponsored) — usually require at least Competent English.
• Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) and 500 (Student) — PTE accepted; minimums depend on the stream and course.

What score should you target?

Work backwards from your points, not from a generic "good score":

• If you already clear the pass mark comfortably on everything else, Competent English may be enough just to be eligible.
• If you need a points boost, Proficient English for 10 points is the usual first target and a realistic goal for many candidates.
• If your application is competitive and every point counts, aim for Superior English and the full 20 points, focusing your prep on your weakest skill since the level is set by your lowest qualifying skill.

Because your level is capped by your lowest skill, the fastest route up is almost always to lift the one skill dragging you down, rather than pushing an already-strong skill higher.

PTE or IELTS for your visa?

Both are accepted and both map to the same levels, so pick the test you can score highest on with the least stress. PTE is fully computer-based with no face-to-face speaking and typically returns results in about two days, which matters when you are racing an invitation round. For a full side-by-side, read PTE vs IELTS for Australia, and to convert a specific number use the PTE to IELTS converter.

How long does a PTE score last?

A PTE Academic result is valid for two years for most purposes. For skilled migration, the Department sets its own window for how recent your English result must be at key steps such as invitation, so line up your test date with your application timeline and confirm the current rule before relying on a particular date. See how long a PTE score is valid for the full detail on validity.

Frequently asked questions