General information, not migration advice. We explain published test scores. We can't tell you which visa you're eligible for or what you personally need. Requirements change, so always check the Department of Home Affairs website, or speak to a registered migration agent.
Why there are two tables
On 7 August 2025 the English tests approved for Australian visas changed. Pearson updated PTE Academic at the same time, and Home Affairs says the new test and its scores are different from the old one, even though the name is the same. So the department publishes:
- Table 1 for PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
- Table 2 for tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
The biggest change: in the new table, the scores needed are different for each skill. Speaking and writing need higher numbers than listening and reading.
Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
You need at least these scores in each of the four skills:
| English level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
| English level | Each of the 4 skills |
|---|---|
| Competent | 50 |
| Proficient | 65 |
| Superior | 79 |
Home Affairs says results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa. Results generally need to be from within 3 years before your visa application. Check your visa's own page for the exact rule.
Things people often get wrong
- "Overall score" isn't enough. The levels are based on the minimum in each skill. An overall 80 with speaking 70 is not Superior on the new table.
- Don't mix tables. A new-format score of 79 in speaking does not meet the new Superior level (88), even though 79 was the old Superior score.
- At-home tests aren't accepted. Home Affairs doesn't accept English tests taken fully online or at home for visa purposes.
- Other tests have their own tables. IELTS needs 6, 7 or 8 in each component for Competent, Proficient and Superior. See the official pages for TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP, MET and LanguageCert.
Check your own scores
Enter your four scores in our PTE score checker to see, skill by skill, which level each meets on the published table and how many points you're short. It runs in your browser and stores nothing.
Official sources
- Competent English, Department of Home Affairs
- Proficient English, Department of Home Affairs
- Superior English, Department of Home Affairs
Requirements can change at any time. If anything here differs from the official pages, the official pages are right.