PTE Score Requirements 2026
Every PTE Academic and PTE Core score requirement — Australia skilled migration (post-7-Aug-2025 DHA component bands), AHPRA April-2026 thresholds, Canada PR CLB levels, student visas, professional registration, and university admission — in one complete reference.
Which PTE exam do you need?
Australia uses PTE Academic; Canada PR uses PTE Core — they are different, non-interchangeable exams. Jump straight to the bands for your goal:
| Your goal | Exam | Target bands (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia PR — Superior (+20 pts) | PTE Academic | L 69 / R 70 / W 85 / S 88 |
| Australia PR — Proficient (+10 pts) | PTE Academic | L 58 / R 59 / W 69 / S 76 |
| AHPRA nursing (from 23 Apr 2026) | PTE Academic | Overall 63 — L 58 / R 59 / W 60 / S 76 |
| Canada PR — CLB 9 | PTE Core | L 82 / R 78 / W 88 / S 84 |
| UK visa — degree level (B2) | PTE Academic UKVI | 59 in each skill (no overall minimum) |
Quick answer: PTE scores by goal (2026)
For Australia PR under the post-7-August-2025 DHA points test, PTE Academic awards points by component band, all four on one score report: Superior English (Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85, Speaking 88) is worth +20 points, Proficient (L58 / R59 / W69 / S76) +10, and Competent (L47 / R48 / W51 / S54) the zero-point floor. For Canada PR, CLB 9 on PTE Core requires Listening 82, Reading 78, Speaking 84, Writing 88. For AHPRA nursing registration (effective 23 April 2026): Overall 63, Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76. For UK UKVI at degree level (CEFR B2): at least 59 in each skill; the Home Office sets no overall minimum. PTE score reports are valid 2 years from the test date; Australia's DHA accepts a result for up to 3 years in the points test.
- Australia PR (Superior, +20): L69 / R70 / W85 / S88
- Canada PR (CLB 9): L82 / R78 / W88 / S84 (PTE Core)
- AHPRA nursing (Apr 2026): O63 / L58 / R59 / W60 / S76
- UK UKVI degree (B2): 59 in each skill
Full tables and notes below. Always verify against DHA, IRCC, AHPRA, and the UK Home Office before lodging.
Australia Skilled Migration
Australia's Department of Home Affairs uses PTE Academic for skilled migration visa applications. The DHA points test was updated on 7 August 2025 to use component-specific bands (Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking each have their own threshold) instead of the old flat "79 in each skill" rule.
| English Level | PTE Academic Component Bands (Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking) | PR Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent English | L 47 / R 48 / W 51 / S 54 | +0 pts (minimum to apply) | Floor for most skilled visas |
| Proficient English | L 58 / R 59 / W 69 / S 76 | +10 points | Solid mid-tier; competitive in some rounds |
| Superior English | L 69 / R 70 / W 85 / S 88 | +20 points | Most valuable boost for 189/190/491; Speaking 88 is dominant blocker |
Australia PR by Visa Subclass
| Visa Subclass | English Required | Practical Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 — Skilled Independent | Competent min; Superior recommended | Superior bands (L 69 / R 70 / W 85 / S 88) | Points tested; Superior bands needed for competitive rounds |
| 190 — Skilled Nominated | Proficient minimum | Proficient (L 58 / R 59 / W 69 / S 76) or higher | State may require higher for nomination |
| 491 — Skilled Regional | Proficient minimum | Proficient (L 58 / R 59 / W 69 / S 76) or higher | Regional sponsorship; +15 points for being regional |
| 186 — Employer Nomination | Competent minimum | Competent (L 47 / R 48 / W 51 / S 54) | Direct PR via approved employer; no points test |
| 482 — Skills in Demand | Own instrument (LIN 25/082) | L 33 / R 36 / W 29 / S 24 — per skill, no overall | Applications from 13 Sep 2025; pre-13-Sep tests: 36 overall, 36 each. Temporary; 2-yr pathway to 186 PR |
Always verify with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before lodging. Requirements can change.
Dedicated PTE guides by visa subclass
Australia Professional Registration
| Registration Body | Profession | PTE Academic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| AHPRA | Nurses, doctors, allied health | Overall 63 / L 58 / R 59 / W 60 / S 76 (effective 23 April 2026; one sitting preferred, two-test combination allowed within 12 months) |
| ACS | ICT professionals / software engineers | No PTE required at assessment stage; DHA visa-stage component bands apply (Competent / Proficient / Superior per the table above) |
| Engineers Australia (EA) | Engineers (skills assessment) | L 50 / R 50 / W 50 / S 50 (Migration Skills Assessment minimum); verify on engineersaustralia.org.au |
| CPA Australia | Accountants (skills assessment) | Proficient English (L 58 / R 59 / W 69 / S 76) typically accepted; verify on cpaaustralia.com.au |
| AITSL (Teachers) | Primary and secondary teachers | PTE NOT accepted — AITSL accepts Academic IELTS only (R 7.0 / W 7.0 / S 8.0 / L 8.0, single TRF, within 24 months) or 4 years of recognised study. PTE applies at the DHA visa stage; state boards set their own rules |
Always verify with the registration body directly. Requirements are set by each body independently and can be updated. ACS / CPA / EA thresholds may have additional state-board or post-Aug-2025 reframing not reflected here — confirm before lodging.
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
There is one Department of Home Affairs English floor for the Student visa (subclass 500) — it does not vary by "Assessment Level". The formal AL framework (AL 1–3) was abolished on 1 July 2016, when the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) replaced it. Under the current instrument (LIN 25/090, in force 7 August 2025), the floor is a single overall score with no per-skill minimum — 47 overall, the IELTS 6.0 equivalent. Lower floors apply only when your principal course is packaged with ELICOS or a foundation/pathway program.
| Pathway (DHA visa floor) | PTE Academic — test on/after 7 Aug 2025 | Test taken before 7 Aug 2025 (still valid) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard subclass 500 (degree / VET principal course) | 47 overall — no per-skill minimum | 50 overall |
| Packaged with 10+ weeks ELICOS, or a foundation / eligible pathway program | 39 overall | 42 overall |
| Packaged with 20+ weeks ELICOS | 31 overall | 36 overall |
| Standalone ELICOS (English study only) | Exempt — no English test score is required for the visa | |
The visa floor is not your real target. Your university sets its own admission requirement — typically 50–64 overall for undergraduate and 58–64 for postgraduate, with foundation programs lower — and it is almost always the higher of the two gates. Those bands are institutional (set by each university), not DHA rules. Prepare for whichever number is higher.
Visa floors: Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/090 / F2025L00906). A test is usable for up to 24 months. Verify your institution's requirement and the current instrument before applying.
Canada PR — PTE Core
PTE Core is Pearson's Canadian immigration test, accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and other immigration streams. PTE Academic is NOT accepted for Canadian immigration — you must take PTE Core.
| CLB Level | PTE Core Bands (L / R / W / S) | Express Entry Use |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 5 | L 39 / R 42 / W 51 / S 51 | Minimum for some PNP / AIP streams; CEC TEER 2-3 jobs |
| CLB 7 | L 60 / R 60 / S 68 / W 69 | Minimum for Federal Skilled Worker; CEC TEER 0/1 jobs |
| CLB 9 | L 82 / R 78 / W 88 / S 84 | Competitive for Express Entry draws (max first-language CRS lift) |
| CLB 10+ | L 89 / R 88 / W 90 / S 89 | Maximum language score benefit (+12 CRS over CLB 9) |
CLB conversion table is published by IRCC. PTE Core is a different exam from PTE Academic. Always verify with IRCC or a registered immigration consultant before applying.
United Kingdom
The UK Home Office accepts PTE Academic UKVI (not standard PTE Academic) for most UK visa applications. Some universities accept standard PTE Academic for student admission — verify with your specific institution. PTE UKVI vs PTE Home vs PTE Academic: which test each UK route needs → Last checked 8 Oct 2026 against the gov.uk approved SELT list.
| Visa / Purpose | Test Required | Typical Score |
|---|---|---|
| UK Student Visa | PTE Academic UKVI | Degree level (B2): 59 in each skill; below degree (B1): 43 in each skill |
| UK Skilled Worker Visa | PTE Academic UKVI | B2 (59 in each skill), raised from B1 for applications from 8 January 2026 |
| University Admission | PTE Academic (standard) | Varies by university and course |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What PTE score do I need for Australia PR (skilled migration)?
What PTE Core score do I need for Canada PR via Express Entry?
What PTE score is needed for AHPRA nursing registration in Australia?
What PTE score is needed for Australia student visa?
Do I need 79 overall or 79 in each skill for Australia Superior English?
Can I use PTE Academic for Canada PR?
How long is my PTE Academic score valid for Australian immigration?
What is the minimum PTE score for most Australian university admissions?
Is 50 PTE easy to score?
Is the post-Aug-2025 Superior English easier or harder than the old 79 rule?
How much is a 77 score in PTE?
Is PTE harder than IELTS?
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