PTE Academic scores for Australian migration and points

How PTE scores are structured

PTE Academic reports four separate component scores. Each is marked out of 90 by AI-assisted assessment. Home Affairs looks at your individual component scores, not an average — you must meet the threshold in all four components to achieve a particular English level.

Competent English on PTE

Competent English is the baseline required for most skilled visas (189, 190, 491, and others). It earns zero points but is mandatory. For PTE Academic, Competent English requires:

- Listening: 47
- Reading: 48
- Writing: 51
- Speaking: 54

If you score, for example, Listening 50, Reading 49, Writing 55, Speaking 60, you have met Competent English because all four components are at or above the threshold. If any component falls below the threshold, you have not reached Competent English for visa purposes.

Proficient and Superior English on PTE

Proficient English (10 points) and Superior English (20 points) have higher component thresholds than Competent. The exact PTE component scores for Proficient and Superior vary and are set by the Department of Home Affairs. Rather than guessing these numbers, refer to the current Home Affairs English language requirements page or the SkillSelect points table, which are updated regularly and may change based on testing data.

What your PTE score means if you're aiming for points

If your PTE result is, for example, Listening 72, Reading 69, Writing 68, Speaking 71, all components are well above the Competent threshold (which is in the 47–54 range). To know whether you've reached Proficient or Superior, check the Home Affairs official thresholds. The gap between Competent and Proficient is roughly 20–30 points per component; the gap between Proficient and Superior is even larger.

Retaking to improve your score

Each PTE component score is independent. If you need Proficient and your Listening is 65 but your Reading is only 48, you don't have to retake the whole test. PTE's Single Section Retake lets you resit just one component — in this case, Reading — and keep the score you achieved in Listening. You can take a full test again at any time as well.

Timing and test dates

PTE Academic testing centres in Australia offer test dates multiple times per month (sometimes weekly). Results typically come back within 1–5 days. If you're planning a visa application timeline, you can often sit PTE, get your results within a few days, and immediately check them against the Home Affairs thresholds.

What to do if your score is borderline

If you're close to a threshold but haven't reached it, options include:

1. Retake the full test — sit PTE again at a future date.
2. Use Single Section Retake — if one component is below threshold, resit that component.
3. Wait and resit — some applicants study for a few weeks and retake to improve their overall performance.
4. Consider another test — TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or another accepted test may suit your strengths better.

I got a PTE score of 79 overall — what does that mean for Home Affairs?

PTE doesn't report an overall score for visa purposes. Home Affairs looks at your four component scores (listening, reading, writing, speaking). You would have four separate numbers, each out of 90. All four must meet the threshold (47/48/51/54 for Competent) or you don't have Competent English.

Can I combine PTE scores from different tests?

No. Home Affairs takes a single PTE test result, with all four component scores from the same test date. You cannot combine your Listening from one test date with your Reading from another.

What PTE score do I need for 10 points?

Proficient English earns 10 points. Check the Home Affairs English language requirements page for the current PTE component thresholds for Proficient. These may change over time, so always verify the official thresholds.

If I don't meet Competent English on PTE, can I use another test?

Yes. You can sit IELTS, TOEFL iBT, OET, or another accepted test. Home Affairs recognises multiple tests and will accept your best result.

Do all four components have to be the same score?

No. Each component is independent. You might have Listening 62, Reading 55, Writing 58, Speaking 60 — all different — and that's fine as long as they all meet the required threshold.

How long does my PTE result stay valid?

Three years from the test date for most visa purposes. Results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 are valid until 6 August 2028 as well, subject to your visa subclass rules.