English · All visas
English Test Scores for Australian Visas (2026)
The Department of Home Affairs changed its English test rules on 7 August 2025. PTE Academic, TOEFL and the other tests now have new, separate minimums for each of the four skills, and older PTE score tables you may find online no longer apply. These are the current minimums.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Tests changed
- 7 August 2025
- Competent English
- IELTS 6 each, or PTE 47/48/51/54
- Checked against Home Affairs
- 11 October 2026
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The four English levels
Minimum score in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking. For PTE, TOEFL and Cambridge the minimum differs by skill, in the order listening / reading / writing / speaking.
| Level | IELTS (each band) | PTE Academic (L / R / W / S) | TOEFL iBT (L / R / W / S) | Cambridge C1 Advanced (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational | 5 | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 | 8 / 8 / 9 / 14 | 154 each |
| Competent | 6 | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | 16 / 16 / 19 / 19 | 163 / 163 / 170 / 179 |
| Proficient | 7 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | 22 / 22 / 26 / 24 | 175 / 179 / 193 / 194 |
| Superior | 8 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 | 26 / 27 / 30 / 28 | 186 / 190 / 210 / 208 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs English language pages, checked 11 October 2026. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are both accepted at the same scores. OET, the Michigan English Test and LANGUAGECERT Academic are also accepted, with their own score tables.
Which level each visa needs
- Skilled 189, 190 and 491: at least Competent English. Higher levels earn points.
- Employer Nomination Scheme 186 and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494: at least Competent English, unless an exemption applies.
- Partner, parent and most family visas: no test to be granted. Some applicants pay a second instalment of the visa charge if they cannot show Functional English.
- Citizens of the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada and New Zealand who hold a current passport are treated as having Competent English for most visas.
Graduate, student and 482 visas
The Temporary Graduate (485), Student (500) and Skills in Demand (482) visas set their own requirements, using an overall score plus a minimum in each skill, rather than the four levels above. For IELTS, the 485 needs 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each skill, and the 482 needs 5.0 overall with at least 4.0 in each skill. Student visa requirements depend on whether you also take an English course before your main course.
The PTE and TOEFL equivalents for the 485, 500 and 482 were reset on 7 August 2025, along with the levels above. Check your scores against the visa’s current table on the Home Affairs website before booking a test or lodging. Old PTE tables (such as “PTE 50 for Competent”) no longer apply to tests taken on or after that date.
Points for English
- Competent English: 0 points (the minimum to be eligible).
- Proficient English: 10 points.
- Superior English: 20 points.
For many skilled applicants, moving from Competent to Proficient or Superior is the cheapest 10 or 20 points available. See the points calculator and English for skilled migration.
Before you book a test
- Make sure the test is taken in a form accepted for visas (for TOEFL iBT, register as “Taking TOEFL for Australia”).
- Results are generally accepted for three years from the test date for most visas, and must be valid at the time required, often the date you are invited or apply.
- Check whether a one-skill retake is accepted for your visa before relying on one.
- If you are close to the next level, the points can be worth more than any other single step.
General information only, current at October 2026; not advice on your own case. Outcomes depend on the Department’s assessment of each application; no registered migration agent can guarantee a result (Code of Conduct, Migration Agents Regulations). Keshab Chapagain, MARN 1576536.
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What PTE score is Competent English in 2026?
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: at least 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking.
What PTE score is Proficient English?
At least 58 listening, 59 reading, 69 writing and 76 speaking.
What PTE score is Superior English?
At least 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking.
What IELTS score do I need for a 485 visa?
An overall score of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each skill. Check PTE and TOEFL equivalents against the current Home Affairs table, as they changed on 7 August 2025.
Do I need an English test if I have a UK passport?
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada and New Zealand with a current passport are treated as having Competent English for most visas, but not for points above Competent.
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