IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL: English Points for Skilled Visas (2026)

How English test scores translate into points for Australian skilled visas — the four levels, why your lowest band decides your whole score, and the IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET and Cambridge equivalences side by side. Figures as at September 2026.

Read the full guide, with official sources →

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Chapters

  1. 0:00 1 weak band out of 4
  2. 0:12 The 4 English levels
  3. 0:30 IELTS band scores
  4. 0:41 PTE Academic scores
  5. 0:51 TOEFL iBT overall scores
  6. 1:02 Cambridge & OET
  7. 1:19 Turnaround: PTE 2–5 days,
  8. 1:34 Minimum English needed
  9. 1:49 Speaking and writing
  10. 1:59 Results are valid
  11. 2:09 You can't mix
  12. 2:21 Passport-based recognition
  13. 2:34 Where to read more

Transcript

Score low on just 1 of the 4 bands of your English test, and your whole claimed level drops — even if the other three are perfect.

There are 4 English levels for skilled visas: functional and competent score 0 points, proficient adds 10, and superior adds 20.

Your level is set by your lowest band, not an average — proficient across the board means all 4 skills score at proficient.

For IELTS Academic, functional is 4.5 each band, competent is 6.0, proficient is 7.0, and superior is 8.0.

For PTE Academic, functional is 30, competent is 50, proficient is 65, and superior is 79.

TOEFL iBT runs higher numbers: functional is 32 overall, competent 64, proficient 94, and superior 113.

Cambridge English uses its own scale: competent is 169, proficient 185, superior 200. OET, used by healthcare workers, has no superior level at all — competent is Grade B, proficient is Grade A.

Turnaround differs: PTE results in 2 to 5 business days, IELTS in 5 to 13. Cost runs around $350 to $400 a sitting, and budgeting for 2 to 3 attempts is common.

Minimum English just to apply varies by visa: subclass 189, 190 and 491 typically need competent; 482 has lower thresholds for some occupations; partner visas need only functional.

Moving from competent to proficient is one of the biggest points lifts available — and for many non-native speakers, speaking and writing are the bands that hold the score back.

English test results are valid for 3 years for migration purposes — test too early, and results can expire before an invitation ever arrives.

Every band score has to come from one sitting of one test — an IELTS score and a PTE score can never be combined, and neither can two separate IELTS attempts.

Native English speakers from recognised passport countries can claim some levels without sitting a test for specific visas — but that recognition applies only to specific countries, so it pays to check the current rules first.

The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.

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