PTE score for PR in Australia: the bands and points
Settledin Team3 min readOn the 189, 190 and 491 points tables, Home Affairs gives competent English 0 points, proficient English 10 and superior English 20. For PTE Academic taken on or after 7 August 2025, each level needs at least these scores in every part: competent 47, 48, 51 and 54, proficient 58, 59, 69 and 76, superior 69, 70, 85 and 88.
Scores and points checked against Home Affairs on 7 November 2026.
What PTE score counts for points on a skilled PR visa?
Home Affairs does not set one PTE score for PR. It sets a score for each English level, and the points table then gives a number of points to each level. The order is: your PTE Academic result reaches a level, and the level carries points.
For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Home Affairs says you must have at least competent English at the time of invitation (Skilled Independent points tested stream). Competent English is the lowest of the three levels in the points table, and it adds 0 points.
What are the PTE bands for competent, proficient and superior English?
Each level lists a minimum score "in each of the 4 test components". Below are the PTE Academic numbers for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, from Home Affairs' pages for competent, proficient and superior English.
| English level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
Each number is a minimum for that part. The pages do not average the four parts into one overall score.
Home Affairs notes that PTE Academic has the same name as the version accepted before 7 August 2025, "however, the test and scores are different". The numbers above are for the current test. Results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 are listed in a separate table on each page, and may be used until 6 August 2028, inclusive, depending on the visa (English language).
How many points does each English level add?
The points tables for the 189 (updated 4 November 2026), 190 and 491 (both updated 16 July 2026) list the same English points:
| English level | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Points for English sit alongside age, skilled employment, education and other categories in the same table. The PR points test post walks through the full table.
Do other tests have equivalent bands?
Yes. Home Affairs accepts eight tests for those taken on or after 7 August 2025, each with its own minimum scores per level: IELTS Academic and General Training, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and the Michigan English Test. For example, IELTS lists 6 in each part for competent, 7 for proficient and 8 for superior.
The full table for every test is in English tests for Australian visas.
How long do test results last for a visa application?
Home Affairs says you must show a qualifying score "in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass" (Competent English). The test must take place at a secure testing centre (English language). Each visa's page states the exact evidence and timeframe, so the visa page is the place to confirm.
Do state nominations ask for a higher English level?
Home Affairs' points tables describe federal points only. State and territory governments set their own nomination criteria for the 190 and 491, Each state's own page is the source for its criteria. Settledin's state posts cover NSW, Queensland and Tasmania, and the state nomination tracker links them together.
FAQ
Is PTE Academic accepted for PR visas?
Yes. Home Affairs lists PTE Academic among the approved tests for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. The English pages are the place to check any other version of the test.
What score is competent English in PTE?
At least 47 in listening, 48 in reading, 51 in writing and 54 in speaking.
How many points is superior English worth?
20 points on the 189, 190 and 491 points tables.
Does the test have to be taken before the EOI?
For the 189, Home Affairs says you need at least competent English at the time of invitation. Each visa page states what it needs and when.
Can scores from different sittings be combined?
Home Affairs' English pages say a result must meet the score "in each of the 4 test components". Home Affairs also lists One Skill Retake and Single Section Retake options for some visas. The relevant visa page says whether either applies.
Where is the official score table?
On Home Affairs' English language pages, linked above. Each page shows a last updated date at the bottom. This post uses the versions updated 21 September 2026.
Settledin adds up an indicative points total from the official points table, including the English levels above.
Work out your indicative points
For how the visas themselves work, see the 189 Skilled Independent, 190 Skilled Nominated and 491 Skilled Work Regional pages, or how to get PR in Australia and what happens after a SkillSelect invitation.
This article describes published Department of Home Affairs rules, checked on 7 November 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.