English test requirements for Australia
Last verified 3 Oct 2026 against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (English language)
SHORT ANSWER
Australia sets an English level on each visa, and Home Affairs publishes one score table per level. Competent English is PTE Academic 47, 48, 51 and 54 in listening, reading, writing and speaking for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
NOT ADVICERequirements change. Confirm on the official Home Affairs page before you book a test or lodge your application.
The numbers people look for
Each links to the page with the full table and the source.
485 Temporary Graduate
PTE Academic 55 overall, and at least 40 in listening, 42 in reading, 41 in writing and 39 in speaking. See the 485 page.
186, 189, 190 and 491
Competent English: PTE Academic 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 in listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS 6 in each. See competent English.
482 Skills in Demand
PTE Academic 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 in listening, reading, writing and speaking for tests from 13 September 2025. See the 482 page.
Points for English
Proficient English (58 / 59 / 69 / 76) is worth 10 points and Superior English (69 / 70 / 85 / 88) is worth 20 on the skilled points table. Competent scores 0.
Nurses, midwives and doctors
For tests from 23 April 2026, PTE Academic 63 overall with 58, 59, 60 and 76. See the registration scores.
What changed
Home Affairs changed its approved tests on 7 August 2025 and PTE Academic scores moved with it. See every dated change.
By visa
Find the visa you are applying for.
PTE score for the 485 visaTemporary Graduate, Post-Higher Education Work streamVisaPTE score for the 482 visaSkills in Demand, Core Skills and Specialist Skills streamsVisaEnglish for the 491 visaSkilled Work Regional, competent English at invitationVisaPTE requirement for the 186 visaEmployer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamVisaEnglish for the 189 visaSkilled Independent, points-testedVisaEnglish for the 190 visaSkilled NominatedVisaEnglish for the 500 student visaOverall score by course typeVisaNurses, midwives and doctorsAhpra and the National BoardsRegistration
By English level
Home Affairs defines five levels. Each page has the scores in every accepted test.
Functional EnglishEvery accepted test, in every skillLevelVocational EnglishEvery accepted test, in every skillLevelCompetent EnglishEvery accepted test, in every skillLevelProficient EnglishEvery accepted test, in every skillLevelSuperior EnglishEvery accepted test, in every skillLevelPTE score chart by English levelVocational to superior side by sideChart
Guides and comparisons
English tests accepted for Australian visasThe nine tests, retakes and the online tests that are refusedGuidePTE requirement changes: what changed and whenDated changes from 2023 to 2026GuidePTE vs IELTSFees, results, speaking and retakesCompareCELPIP for Australian visasScores, price and formatCompareTest fees in AustraliaPTE Academic, IELTS and TOEFL iBTFeesScore convertersPTE and IELTS, CLBTool
Booking, results, costs and comparisons
The pages people open after the numbers.
PTE Academic test format and timingThree parts, every question type, what test day is likeFormatHow to book the PTE in AustraliaSteps, the 24-hour rule, ID and refund deadlinesBookingPTE results time and score validityTwo clocks: Pearson's and the visa'sResultsPTE test cost in AustraliaThe fee, extras and how it comparesFeesPTE points for PRCompetent 0, Proficient 10, Superior 20PointsIs PTE easier than IELTS?What actually differs, attributedCompare
Prep, practice and test guides
Every guide for this country, by test.
PTE Academic and PTE Core
PTE classes, courses and coaching in AustraliaGUIDEPTE Describe Image: how it is scored and how to answerGUIDEPTE voucher and discount codes: what exists in AustraliaGUIDEPTE fill in the blanks: the three types, how they are scored and how to practiseGUIDEHow to practise Highlight Correct Summary in PTE, with a practice set you can use todayGUIDEPTE listening: tips, practice and how it is scoredGUIDEPTE exam free mock test and practice test: what Pearson offers and how to use itGUIDEPTE Read Aloud: how it works, how it is scored and how to practiseGUIDEPTE reading practise: a practice test for all five question typesGUIDEPTE sample reading test: five worked examplesGUIDEPTE reading practice and tips: how the section works and how to prepareGUIDEPTE reorder paragraph: how it works and how to practise itGUIDERepeat Sentence in PTE: how it is marked, tips and practice sentencesGUIDERespond to a Situation in PTE: how it works, how it is marked and a flexible structureGUIDERetell Lecture in PTE: what it is, how it is marked and how to practiseGUIDEPTE exam sample: sample questions, sample papers and templatesGUIDEPTE speaking practice test: a free mini set you can do todayGUIDEPTE speaking: how it is marked, tips for each task and how to practiseGUIDEPTE Summarize Group Discussion: how it works, how it is marked and practiceGUIDEPTE Summarize Spoken Text: rules, scoring and an original practice lectureGUIDEPTE Summarize Written Text (SWT): rules, scoring, sentence frames and practiceGUIDEPTE test centres in Australia: how to find one, and what to do for the Gold Coast, Cairns and TownsvilleGUIDEPTE books, preparation courses and tips: what exists, what it costs and how to chooseGUIDEPTE Academic question bank, question types and practice promptsGUIDEPTE academic vocabulary: word and collocation lists by jobGUIDEPTE Write from Dictation (WFD): how it works and how to practiseGUIDEPTE writing samples, examples and templatesGUIDEPTE writing: the tasks, the marking rules and how to practiseGUIDE
IELTS
IELTS Academic vs General Training: which one for AustraliaGUIDEIELTS band score chart and Listening score table for AustraliaGUIDEIELTS courses and coaching in Australia: free, paid, schools and tutorsGUIDEIELTS voucher and discount codes in Australia: what IDP actually offersGUIDEIELTS Listening tips: how your marks are counted and lostGUIDEFree IELTS mock tests: what is free, what is a PDF and what costsGUIDEIELTS Reading tips: time, skimming, scanning and question typesGUIDEIELTS examination results in Australia: how long they take, the TRF and the eTRFGUIDEIELTS speaking Part 2 topics: how the long turn works in Australia, with 12 practice promptsGUIDEIELTS speaking examples: how it is marked, official samples and three model answers of oursGUIDEIELTS speaking tips for the Speaking test in AustraliaGUIDEIELTS speaking themes, topics and questions for AustraliaGUIDEIELTS test centres in Australia: Gold Coast, Cairns, Newcastle, Wollongong and TownsvilleGUIDEIELTS test fees in Australia: price, retakes, validity and test lengthGUIDEIELTS preparation tips and resources: what is free, what to buy and how to planGUIDEIELTS vocabulary: what is marked, how to learn it and word lists for ten topicsGUIDEIELTS essay samples: two model answers, the structure and how Task 2 is markedGUIDEIELTS Academic Writing Task 1: what to write, how it is marked, and a worked sampleGUIDEIELTS Writing Task 2 questions and subjects: read the question firstGUIDEIELTS writing tips for Australia: typed or handwritten Writing, letter, graph and essayGUIDEIELTS writing topics: Academic Part 1 visuals and Part 2 themesGUIDE
TOEFL
Common questions
Home Affairs sets a separate minimum for each approved test, so the best one is the test where your scores clear the line for your visa. PTE Academic, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, CELPIP General and others are on the list. The accepted-tests page has them all.
Home Affairs names Competent English for the 186, 189 and 190 visas, and for the 491 at invitation. The Temporary Graduate 485 and Skills in Demand 482 visas have their own tables.
AUD 499 on Pearson's price list. IELTS is AUD 490 and CELPIP General is AUD 355 plus taxes.
Pearson says two years from the test date. Home Affairs sets its own test window per visa (3 years on most pages we read). Our reading: plan around Pearson's two years. The results and validity page explains the two clocks.
Yes. On 7 August 2025 the approved tests and PTE Academic scores changed. PTE Academic kept its name but the test and scores are different.