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What PTE Score Do I Need for My Australian Visa? (January 2026 Update)


According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the English language requirements changed on 7 August 2025 and these are the requirements that apply in 2026. The Department now assesses each PTE skill separately rather than simply looking at an overall score.

PTE Requirements for Australian Skilled Migration Visas (189, 190, 491)

English Level

PR Points

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Competent English

0 points

47

48

51

54

Proficient English

10 points

58

59

69

76

Superior English

20 points

69

70

85

88

Most Common Visa Types

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

  • Minimum requirement: Competent English

  • PTE: L47, R48, W51, S54

  • No extra migration points awarded at this level.


Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

  • Minimum requirement: Competent English

  • Many applicants aim for Proficient or Superior English to gain additional migration points.


Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

  • Minimum requirement: Competent English

  • Higher English scores provide extra points in the points test.


Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Applicants generally need to demonstrate Competent English. The Department's requirements changed in August 2025, and applicants must now meet the required scores in each component rather than relying on an overall score alone.


Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

The current requirement is:

  • PTE Academic overall score of at least 36

  • Minimum 36 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)


What Should You Aim For?

If your goal is just visa eligibility:

✅ Competent English

  • Listening 47

  • Reading 48

  • Writing 51

  • Speaking 54

If your goal is PR and extra migration points:

✅ Proficient English (+10 points)

  • Listening 58

  • Reading 59

  • Writing 69

  • Speaking 76

If you want the maximum English points:

✅ Superior English (+20 points)

  • Listening 69

  • Reading 70

  • Writing 85

  • Speaking 88

Important Note

The Department of Home Affairs updated the English language requirements on 7 August 2025. From that date, PTE applicants must meet the required score in each individual skill. Having a high overall score is not enough if one component falls below the required threshold.



Master English Tip: If you're applying for a 189, 190 or 491 visa, aiming for Proficient English (10 points) is often one of the fastest ways to improve your migration points score and increase your chances of receiving an invitation. Quick Answer


What PTE score do I need for my Australian visa?

  • For most skilled visas: Competent English (L47, R48, W51, S54)

  • For 10 extra migration points: Proficient English (L58, R59, W69, S76)

  • For 20 extra migration points: Superior English (L69, R70, W85, S88)


Official Source

Information accurate according to the Department of Home Affairs requirements in force at the beginning of 2026.



 
 
 

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