Key Takeaway
- For a PTE Academic test taken on or after 7 August 2025, use the current score table.
- For a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, use the older table. The four higher levels have an outer end date of 6 August 2028. Your visa must still accept the result.
- The old Functional English transition deadline ended on 6 August 2026.
- In the Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 points table, Competent English gives 0 points, Proficient gives 10 and Superior gives 20.
Do you need PTE 50, 65 or 79 for Australia? Pause before you use that old advice. Those scores come from the old PTE Academic rules. Australia changed its approved test scores on 7 August 2025.
The right table starts with your test date. You also need the English level required for your visa subclass.
This guide covers both sets of scores. It is about visa rules. It does not cover school entry or job licence rules. Check the Home Affairs page for your visa before you book or use a result.
What PTE Scores Does Australia Require in 2026?
Did you take PTE Academic on or after 7 August 2025? Use the table below. All levels but Functional English use four skill limits. You must meet all four.
| Home Affairs English level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | How it is checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional English | — | — | — | — | Overall score of at least 24 |
| Vocational English | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 | Minimum in each component |
| Competent English | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 | Minimum in each component |
| Proficient English | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 | Minimum in each component |
| Superior English | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 | Minimum in each component |
You do not need to climb through all five levels. Open the page for your exact visa subclass and find the required English level.
Say you need Competent English. You must get 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 51 in Writing and 54 in Speaking. A high total score cannot cover a low skill score.
Home Affairs accepts PTE Academic for Australian visas. Pearson describes PTE Core as a test for Canadian permanent-residence and citizenship applications. Check the test name before you book. Not sure which test to pick? See our PTE test guide.
Which Score Table Should You Use?
Use your test date to choose the table. Do not use today’s date.
Test from 7 August 2025 or later
Use the current skill scores in the first table. Each skill has its own mark. So “PTE 65” is not a full goal for a new test.
First, find the English level for your visa. Then add its four skill goals to your study plan.
Test on 6 August 2025 or earlier
Start with the older score table below. The transition deadline is only one condition. Your visa subclass and evidence period must also accept the result.
| Home Affairs English level | Older PTE Academic requirement | Transition position on 26 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Functional English | Overall score of at least 30 | The transition deadline ended on 6 August 2026 |
| Vocational English | At least 36 in each component | Outer deadline: 6 August 2028. The visa subclass decides. |
| Competent English | At least 50 in each component | Outer deadline: 6 August 2028. The visa subclass decides. |
| Proficient English | At least 65 in each component | Outer deadline: 6 August 2028. The visa subclass decides. |
| Superior English | At least 79 in each component | Outer deadline: 6 August 2028. The visa subclass decides. |
The 2028 date does not make every old result valid. Home Affairs uses a three-year test-result period for the four higher levels. It counts back from your visa application. Check your visa subclass too.
For Functional English, the test must be from the 12 months before the visa application. The old-test window ended on 6 August 2026. So an old PTE 30 result is not current proof now.
What Do the Five English Levels Mean?
Home Affairs groups English into five levels. They are Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English.
- Functional English uses one total PTE score under the current rule.
- Vocational English uses four skill scores.
- Competent English is the minimum level for the Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190. It gives 0 English points in that visa’s points table.
- Proficient English gives 10 English points in the subclass 190 points table.
- Superior English gives 20 English points in the subclass 190 points table.
Do not pick a level by its name. Find the right level on your visa page. Check the rule for your visa and your role on the form.
Need help with total and skill scores? Read our PTE score guide.
Is PTE 79 Still Superior English for Australia?
Yes—but only under the older score table.
Did you test on or before 6 August 2025? The old Superior rule was 79 in each skill. Home Affairs sets 6 August 2028 as the outer transition deadline and says the result depends on the visa. Your visa evidence period must also remain open.
For a test on or after 7 August 2025, the Superior scores are:
- Listening: 69
- Reading: 70
- Writing: 85
- Speaking: 88
So 79 in each skill is not the current rule. It clears the new Listening and Reading marks. Yet it misses the new Writing and Speaking marks.
The same warning fits PTE 65 for Proficient and PTE 50 for Competent. Those goals belong to old tests.
Do PTE Scores Give Points for a Skilled Visa?
The Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 has these English points:
| English level | English points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Subclass 190 needs at least Competent English when Home Affairs invites you. Competent gives no English points. Proficient gives 10, and Superior gives 20. Your total also includes age, skilled work and study. Reaching the points mark does not guarantee an invitation.
Use the points table for your visa. Do not use this visa points table for school entry.
Where Else Should You Check Your PTE Score?
This guide shows Home Affairs English levels for Australian visa evidence.
Do you need a score for study, work registration or a skills check? Open the official page for the exact organisation. This visa table does not prove that you meet another rule.
Make a separate check for each purpose that applies to you:
- the English rule for your visa,
- the score set by your school, and
- the score set by a work or skills body.
Record the official page and date used for each check.
What Should You Check First?
Use this order. It can stop you from using the wrong score:
- Find your visa type. Open its Home Affairs page. Find the English level and time limit.
- Check the test name. Home Affairs lists PTE Academic. Pearson describes PTE Core for Canadian immigration applications.
- Check the test date. Use the new table from 7 August 2025. Use the old table only when your visa still lets you do so.
- Check all four skills. Use the right row for your English level.
- Check the time limit. Use the evidence period shown for your exact visa.
- Use a secure test centre. Home Affairs does not accept a fully online or at-home test for visa use.
- Check once more. Rules can change. Save the page and date that you used.
Keep a copy of the page you used. If the rule changes, you can see which source guided your choice.
Once you know the right test and goal, we can help with PTE exam booking. Already have a result? Our PTE result guide shows how to view and share it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PTE score applies to the subclass 190 visa in 2026?
Subclass 190 needs at least Competent English when Home Affairs invites you. For a PTE Academic test from 7 August 2025, you need 47 Listening, 48 Reading, 51 Writing and 54 Speaking. Proficient and Superior English give extra English points.
Is 65 in each PTE skill still Proficient English?
It is the old Proficient rule for tests up to 6 August 2025. For a new test, you need 58 Listening, 59 Reading, 69 Writing and 76 Speaking.
Can I use an old PTE result for an Australian visa?
For the four higher levels, the outer end date is 6 August 2028. It covers tests taken on or before 6 August 2025. Your visa and evidence period still decide if the result works. The Functional English end date was 6 August 2026.
Do I need the score in every PTE skill?
Yes, for the four higher levels. You must meet the mark in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Functional English uses one total PTE score.
Can I take PTE Academic at home for an Australian visa?
No. You must take the test at a secure test centre. Home Affairs does not accept a fully online or at-home test for visa use.
Does a high overall PTE score cover one low skill score?
No, not when the level has four skill marks. A current Superior result must meet all four. A high total does not cover one low skill.
Final Check
Start with three checks. Find your visa type. Find its English level. Then pick the table from your test date.
Use the current skill scores for tests from 7 August 2025. For older tests, 6 August 2028 is the outer transition deadline for the 36, 50, 65 and 79 score rows. Your visa subclass and evidence period still decide whether the result qualifies. The old Functional window is closed.
These tables are a start, not visa advice. Check your own Home Affairs visa page before you book or send a result.
References and Useful Resources
- Department of Home Affairs: English language visa requirements
- Department of Home Affairs: Functional English
- Department of Home Affairs: Vocational English
- Department of Home Affairs: Competent English
- Department of Home Affairs: Proficient English
- Department of Home Affairs: Superior English
- Department of Home Affairs: Skilled Nominated visa points table
- Department of Home Affairs: Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190
- Department of Home Affairs: Expression of interest
- Federal Register: 2025 language-test instrument
- Pearson: Updates to PTE Academic
