You have applied to an Australian university, or you are eyeing a Subclass 189 PR. Either way, your English score decides what happens next. The PTE exam for Australia is the fastest route most Indian students and skilled workers take, and PTE Academic is the version Australia accepts. The scoring criteria for this exam were updated on 7 August 2025, and the exam fee was revised to ₹18,900 from 16 March 2026. This guide reflects the latest information.
For Australia, only PTE Academic counts. PTE Core and PTE Home are not accepted for any Australian visa or university. It is a 2-hour, computer-based test scored 10 to 90, accepted by 100% of Australian universities and by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for every visa needing English proof. Results come in about 2 days.
- The big 2025 change: Since 7 August 2025, the DHA scores English on each of the four sections, not your overall total. A 70 overall with one section at 55 will not qualify you for Proficient English, so you must perform across all four skills.
- PR points: Competent (overall 50) gives 0 points and is the eligibility floor; Proficient adds +10 (around 65, with Writing 69 and Speaking 76); Superior adds +20 (around 79, with Writing 85 and Speaking 88). Writing and speaking now carry the highest bars, so focus your prep there.
- Student visa & universities: Subclass 500 needs roughly 47 overall, but most universities ask for 50 to 65+. Nursing and other professional bodies like AHPRA usually demand 65 in every skill with no averaging. Always aim for the higher of your visa and university requirements.
- Two validity numbers, don't mix them: Your score is valid for 2 years for most university admissions and up to 3 years for DHA visa applications (study, work, PR).
- Fees: PTE costs ₹18,900 in India, including 18% GST, effective 16 March 2026. In Australia, the fee is around AUD 410. Free rescheduling is allowed only when more than 14 full calendar days are left, up to 6 times per appointment. Cancellation gives a full refund if done more than 14 days before the test, 50% refund between 14 and more than 7 days before, and no refund within 7 days.
- Save on the fee: Skip the full price. With EduVouchers, you can book PTE Academic for ₹16500, saving up to ₹3,900 per attempt on the same genuine Pearson voucher.
Bottom line: Lock your target score first (Competent for visa eligibility, Proficient or Superior for PR points), book only PTE Academic, train hardest on Writing and Speaking, and use a verified voucher so you never pay the full ₹18,900.
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PTE Score Required for Australia: Quick Reference
| Purpose | Min. Overall | Component Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | 47 | No skill below 36 |
| Graduate Visa 485 (Post-Study Work) | 55 | L:40, R:42, W:41, S:39 |
| Skills in Demand Visa (Sub 482 / 186) | 50 | L:47, R:47, W:47, S:47 |
| PR Competent (eligibility, 0 pts) | 50 | L:47, R:48, W:51, S:54 |
| PR Proficient (+10 pts) | 65 | L:58, R:59, W:69, S:76 |
| PR Superior (+20 pts) | 79 | L:69, R:70, W:85, S:88 |
| Engineers Australia (skills assessment) | 65 | All components ≥ 65 |
| AHPRA Nursing / Healthcare | 65 | All components ≥ 65 |
What is the PTE Exam for Australia?
The PTE test for Australia is the Pearson Test of English Academic, a 2-hour, computer-based test that scores your Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening on a 10–90 scale. Pearson confirms the test is accepted by 100% of Australian universities and by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for every visa category that requires proof of English.
There is one important fork in the road that catches many candidates. Pearson runs three different tests: PTE Academic, PTE Core, and PTE Home. For Australia, only PTE Academic counts. PTE Core is built for Canada PR. PTE Home is for UK family and settlement visas. Booking the wrong one is one of the more expensive mistakes you can make.
If you are new to the test, start with our complete PTE Exam Guide that walks through every section, scoring and booking step in one place.
PTE Score Required for Australia
The biggest change to understand is this: before 7 August 2025, your overall PTE score determined your English level. For example, scores like 50, 65, or 79 were enough for Competent, Proficient, and Superior English. Now, that rule has changed. The DHA requires you to meet a minimum score in each of the four sections. This means you must perform well in all parts, not just overall. For example, even if your total score is 70, but one section is only 55, you will not qualify for Proficient English. This update has been confirmed on the official DHA guidelines for Competent, Proficient, and Superior English.
PTE Score for Australia PR (Skilled Migration)
The PTE Academic for Australia PR plays an important role in the Migration Points Test, where your English score can add up to 20 points and significantly improve your chances of getting an invitation. For visa types like Subclass 189, 190, and 491, at least Competent English is required for eligibility, while higher scores can earn extra points. Today, most successful applicants have 90+ points.
That’s why Proficient and Superior English are very important if you want to stay competitive. Also, the requirements for Writing and Speaking are now higher. To reach Proficient English, you need around 69 in Writing and 76 in Speaking. Earlier, a flat score of 65 was enough. So, if you are targeting Proficient or Superior English, focus more on improving your Writing and Speaking skills.
| English Level | PR Points | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional (secondary applicant) | Not for points | Overall 24 | No separate minimum listed by Pearson | No separate minimum listed by Pearson | No separate minimum listed by Pearson |
| Competent (eligibility minimum) | 0 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient | +10 | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | +20 | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
PTE Score for Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Student Visa Subclass 500 has its own English requirement, which is different from PR. As per the latest rules after August 2025, the minimum PTE score is around 47 overall. If your score is lower, you can still apply by taking a 10–20-week ELICOS (English course) along with your visa. But this minimum score is usually not enough. Universities have their own requirements, and most of them ask for a score between 50 and 65 or higher, depending on the course you choose. So, always aim for the university requirement, not just the visa minimum.
PTE Score Requirements for Australian Universities
University requirements vary by course and level. A diploma will be accepted at a much lower rate than a master’s in nursing. Most postgraduate programmes target 58–65 overall. Some professional programmes set sectional minimums you cannot dodge with a strong overall score. Always verify directly on the university's admissions page before booking your test, because intake-specific cut-offs can shift.
| University | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Sectional Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 58 | 65 | Higher for Law & Medicine |
| University of Sydney | 58–61 | 65+ | 65+ for professional courses |
| Monash University | 58 | 65 | 65+ for Nursing & Education |
| University of Queensland | 64 | 64 | Sectional minimums in all skills |
| RMIT University | 50 | 58 | Higher for professional degrees |
| UNSW Sydney | 64 | 64 | Min 54 in each skill |
Note: Indicative scores for 2026–27 intake. Verify on each university's admissions page before booking.
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Professional Bodies in Australia That Accept PTE Academic
If you are migrating on a skilled visa, you will likely face two English checks: one for the visa itself and one for your professional registration. Pearson confirms PTE Academic is accepted by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Engineers Australia and the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria.
Nursing is the strictest in this group. AHPRA typically requires 65 in each of the four skills, with no averaging, meaning even one component below 65 means a retake, regardless of your overall score. Engineering and accounting bodies are usually less strict but always demand sectional consistency.
Use this reference table to understand the score requirements more clearly:
| Field | Programme / Body | PTE Overall | Component Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | BSc Nursing; university admission | 58–65 | Each ≥ 58 |
| Diploma in Nursing | 50–58 | Each ≥ 42 | |
| AHPRA registration (overseas-trained) | 65 | Each ≥ 65, no averaging | |
| Teaching | B.Ed admission | 58 | Each ≥ 58 |
| Teaching registration (NESA, VIT) | 64–65 | Each ≥ 65 | |
| Engineering | Engineers Australia (EA) skills assessment | 65 | Each ≥ 65, no exceptions |
| MBA | Go8 business schools | 65–79 | W & S ≥ 65 |
| Medicine / Law | Most programmes | 79 | Each ≥ 65 |
| Accounting | Chartered Accountants Australia & NZ | 65 | Each ≥ 65 |
Your visa English requirement and your professional registration English requirement are separate. You may clear Competent for the visa but still fail AHPRA's 65-in-each-skill bar. Plan your target around the higher of the two not the lower.
PTE Academic Test Format (Australia)
The PTE Academic Syllabus is covered in a single 2-hour computer-based test, taken at a Pearson test centre. There is no break between sections, and you can complete all four skills in one continuous sitting.
| Section | Duration | Question Types | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Speaking & Writing | 76–84 min | 9 types | Speaking + Writing |
| Part 2: Reading | 22–30 min | 5 types | Reading |
| Part 3: Listening | 31–39 min | 8 types | Listening |
Scoring is AI-driven. Your speaking is recorded and analysed for fluency, pronunciation and content. Your writing is graded on grammar, vocabulary and structure. There is no human examiner in the loop, which is why most candidates find PTE more predictable than IELTS.
Speak in a steady, neutral pace into the microphone. Pearson's AI scores fluency higher when you speak continuously, even with minor errors, than when you pause to self-correct. Practice "Read Aloud" and "Repeat Sentence" daily for two weeks before your test.
PTE Exam Fee in India
The current PTE exam fee in India is ₹18,900, but exam fees may change over time, so it’s always best to check the latest price before booking. The fee is usually the same across test centres within a country.
| Booking From | PTE Academic Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India | ₹18,900 | Inclusive of 18% GST |
| Australia | ~AUD 410 (~₹22,500) | Verify on Pearson's Australia booking page |
| With EduVouchers | From ₹16,399 | Save up to ₹2,501 on the same Pearson voucher |
There are typically no extra charges for last-minute bookings if seats are available. However, additional costs may apply if you reschedule or cancel your test, depending on when you make the request.
| Time Before Test | Reschedule | Cancel |
|---|---|---|
| More than 14 days | Free (up to 6 times) | Full refund |
| 8 to 13 days | Not allowed (cancel + rebook) | 50% refund |
| 7 days or less | Not allowed | No refund |
- Free rescheduling or cancellation is only available if you act more than 14 days before the test.
- You can reschedule a maximum of 6 times per booking.
- Rescheduling is not available within 14 days of the test; you must cancel and book again.
- If Pearson cancels or reschedules your test, you will get a refund or a new test date.
- In case of medical or family emergencies, free rescheduling may be allowed with valid proof (subject to approval).
How to Book the PTE Exam for Australia from India
Booking is fully online and takes about 15 minutes if your documents are ready.
- Create a myPTE account at pearsonpte.com using your name exactly as on your passport.
- Choose PTE Academic from the test list. Do not pick PTE Core or PTE Home by mistake.
- Pick a test centre. India has 60+ centres across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and other Tier-2 cities.
- Select a date. Slots are usually available within a week, often the same week.
- Pay the fee directly with a card, UPI or net banking, or apply a Pearson-authorised voucher code at checkout.
Before booking your test, check the complete PTE registration process to understand the steps, documents, fees and test-day requirements.
PTE Score Validity for Australia (Two Numbers, Don't Mix Them)
Understanding the PTE exam result & score validity is one of the most confusing parts of the entire process because the same score has different validity rules for different purposes.
There are two separate rules you need to know: one for university admission and one for Australian visa applications:- For university admission, Pearson states a PTE Academic score is valid for 2 years from the test date. Most Australian universities follow this rule.
- For DHA visa applications (study, PR, work): A PTE result can be used as evidence for up to 3 years from the test date. The DHA's Competent, Proficient and Superior English pages all confirm this 3-year window.
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How to Prepare for the PTE Academic Australia
Many students need focused practice to reach Proficient or Superior targets. But if you want higher scores like Proficient or Superior, you need focused practice, especially in Writing and Speaking.
A simple 6-to-8-week study plan can help:
- Week 1: Understand the exam format using the official Pearson guide. Learn all question types.
- Week 2–3: Practice speaking daily for about 1 hour. Focus on tasks like Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, and Describe Image.
- Week 4–5: Work on writing tasks like Summarise Written Text and Write from Dictation.
- Week 6–8: Take full mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
One important skill is typing. The Writing section is computer-based, so slow typing can reduce your score. If your typing speed is below 35 words per minute, improve that first.
Skip generic YouTube channels and use Pearson's official Scored Practice Tests, they are AI-graded the same way as the real exam, so your prep score is directly comparable to your test-day score.
Conclusion
Lock your target score before you book. Competent for visa eligibility, Proficient if you are chasing PR points, and Superior if you are in a competitive occupation. Once you know the number, plan your prep around Writing and Speaking, because those are where the new thresholds will catch you. The PTE exam for Australia rewards consistency across all four skills, not a strong overall average.
Further Read
