Your PTE score for Australia isn’t just about admission anymore; it’s the first line of defence against visa rejection. As you plan your study abroad journey, it is essential to recognise that the Australian landscape has undergone significant changes due to rapid visa updates.
The days of aiming for a “safe 58” and securing your path are largely over. The bar has been raised, especially if you have long-term plans for Permanent Residency (PR).
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80+ Practice Questions for all sectionsYou will need help navigating the two different scorecards:
- The Department of Home Affairs Score: The absolute minimum score required to secure your student visa (Subclass 500).
- The University Score: The higher, academic-specific score required for your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
In this guide, we will break down exactly what PTE score for Australia you need for your Student Visa, university admission, and that all-important Post-Study Work Visa.
Snapshot of Key Changes
| Visa Category | Old Requirement | New Requirement ( Effective Post-Aug 7, 2025) |
| Student Visa (Subclass 500) | Overall 42 | Overall 47 |
| Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | Overall 50(Min. 36 in each skill) | Overall 55(Min. Listening: 40) |
| Superior English (For PR – 20 Points) | 79 in each skill | Mixed Scores Required:Listening: 69 |
Leap Scholar Insight: The jump to 88 in Speaking and 85 in Writing for PR points is substantial. When preparing, don’t just focus on “passing.” You need to aim for excellence in these two modules to maximise your PR chances later.
The PTE Score Guide for Australia Update Explained
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has implemented critical updates to the PTE scoring scale to align it more accurately with IELTS standards. This change is strategically significant: the test is no longer a quick, easy barrier to clear; it is a strict assessment to ensure graduates are genuinely prepared for the English demands of Australian work and study.
1. Mandatory Minimums for Visas (The New Baseline)
The rules for studying and working in Australia underwent significant changes on August 7, 2025. These are the new minimum requirements you must meet for a successful application:
- Student Visa (Subclass 500): The minimum required PTE score has moved up to 47 (from 42).
- Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): The minimum score for the post-study work visa has been raised to 55 (from 50). This increase ensures international graduates are “workforce ready.”
2. The Strategic Challenge: Permanent Residency (PR Points
The most precise planning is required if you aim for Permanent Residency (PR via the points system, as the rules for claiming the highest language points (“Superior English”) have become much stricter:
- Old Rule: The previous threshold of getting a flat 79 in all sections to claim maximum points no longer applies.
- New Superior English Requirement: You must now hit very specific targets in the four modules to claim the top 20 points. While the scores needed for Listening and Reading have actually dropped, the requirement for Writing is 85 and for Speaking, 88 has increased sharply.
3. Actionable Preparation Strategy
To navigate these changes and maximize your chances, your preparation strategy must adjust immediately:
- Focus on Specific Skills: Your practice tests must prioritize Writing (85 and Speaking 88). A general “balanced” score will no longer be enough to secure the top PR points.
- Target the Work Visa: Do not just aim for the Student Visa, minimum 47. Your immediate goal must be the Graduate Visa minimum 55, which prevents hurdles when applying for your work rights later.
- Understand Equivalence: The DHA updated the scoring scale to align it more accurately with IELTS standards, meaning the test is no longer seen as an “easier” option. Treat the assessment as a strict, level assessment of your genuine English proficiency.
PTE Score Required for Student Visa (Subclass 500)
To obtain a study in Australia and obtain a student visa, you must meet the government’s minimum requirements. Valid for tests taken on or after August 7, 2025.
There are two pathways to meet this requirement
- Direct Entry (Standard):47 Overall.
- Condition: Typically, no component score should be below 36.
- With ELICOS (English Course):36–46 Overall.
- What this means: If your score falls in this range, you can still get a visa, but you must enrol in an ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students) program before your main degree starts.
Mentor Note: While ELICOS is a valid pathway, it adds to your tuition fees (often in thousands of dollars) and living costs. For most Indian families looking to maximise ROI, we recommend retaking the PTE to achieve a score of 47 or higher directly.
University-Wise PTE Score Requirements (UG & Masters)
While the government accepts 47, top universities do not. To obtain your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE), the document required for a visa application, you must meet the Australian university’s academic standards.
| University Name (Full Form) | UG Score (Overall) | PG Score (Overall) | Minimum Requirements for Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking |
| Australian National University (ANU) | 64 | 64 | Minimum 55 in each skill |
| University of Melbourne | 58–64 | 64–72+ | Minimum 60 in each skill (Writing often higher) |
| University of Sydney (USYD) | 61 | 68 | Minimum 54 in each skill |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) | 64 | 65 | Minimum 54 in each skill |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | 64 | 64 | Minimum 60 in each skill |
| Monash University | 58 | 65 | Minimum 50 (UG) / 58 (PG) in each skill |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | 64 | 64 | Minimum 59 in each skill |
| University of Adelaide | 65 | 65 | Minimum 58 in each skill |
| RMIT University | 58 | 58–65 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | 58–64 | 58–65 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | 58 | 65 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Curtin University | 58 | 58 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Deakin University | 50 | 58 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Macquarie University | 58 | 58–65 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Griffith University | 58 | 58 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Swinburne University of Technology | 50 | 58 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| University of Tasmania (UTAS) | 50 | 50–58 | Minimum 42–50 in each skill |
| University of Wollongong (UOW) | 58 | 64 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Western Sydney University (WSU) | 58 | 58 | Minimum 50 in each skill |
| Charles Sturt University (CSU) | 50 | 50–58 | Minimum 42 in each skill |
| Central Queensland University (CQU) | 50 | 58 | Minimum 42–50 in each skill |
The data presented in this table is extracted based on the official migration regulations and English language requirements released by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Pro Tip: Always check the specific course page. A “Master of Data Science” might accept 58, but a “Master of Teaching” at the same university might demand 75.
Course-Specific Scores (Nursing, IT, Law)
| Course / Profession | Required English Score | Important Notes |
| Nursing & Midwifery | 65+ in EACH band | Non-negotiable. Even if a university accepts 58, do NOT take the offer. AHPRA will not register you, making you ineligible to work in Australia. |
| Law (LLB / JD) | 72–78+ | Requires strong reading, analysis, and argumentation skills. |
| Teaching / Education | 75–80+ | High proficiency required, especially in Speaking and Listening. |
| IT & Engineering | 58–64 | Standard academic proficiency is usually sufficient. |
New Rules for Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485)
Most Indian students plan to work in Australia after graduating to gain international experience and recoup their investment. The rules for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) have become stricter to ensure you are workforce-ready.
- New Overall Score: 55 (Increased from 50).
- Mandatory Section Scores:
- Listening: 40 | Reading: 42 | Writing: 41 | Speaking: 39
The Validity Trap to Avoid
For the 485 visa, your PTE test must have been taken within 1 year of your visa application date.
- Example: If you took the PTE in 2025 to enter university, that score will likely expire by the time you graduate in 2027. You should retake the test before finishing your degree.
PTE Scores for Australia PR (The New Points System)
If your goal is Permanent Residency (PR), your English score is your most valuable asset. Australia uses a “Points Test” to rank applicants.
- Competent: 0 Points (Minimum eligibility)
- Proficient: 10 Points
- Superior: 20 Points (The gold standard)
New PR Score Benchmarks (Post-Aug 7, 2025)
| English Level | Points | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| Competent | 0 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient | 10 | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | 20 | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
Leap Scholar Advice: To claim the full 20 points, you now need an 85 in Writing and 88 in Speaking. This may be challenging, but it is achievable with the right preparation. We recommend Indian students focus heavily on these two modules early in their journey.
These new requirements may seem demanding, but with steady effort and early focus on Writing and Speaking, you’re absolutely capable of reaching them. Stay consistent, trust the process, and you’ll get there.
Conclusion
The updates to the 2026 PTE requirements are undeniable: the bar for studying and settling in Australia has been raised. While the jump in scores for Permanent Residency, specifically in Writing and Speaking, may look intimidating on paper, it is important to view this practically.
These changes are designed to ensure that international students are fully ready for the Australian workforce. The goal isn’t to stop you from going, but to ensure you are prepared to succeed once you get there.
The strategy is simple: don’t rely on the minimum passing marks. Treat your English preparation as seriously as your visa application. With a clear study plan and enough practice time, these scores are realistic targets, not impossible obstacles.
Conquer the New PTE Challenge with Leap Scholar
The new DHA rules introduce a higher degree of risk and require highly specialized preparation for the Writing and Speaking sections. Leap Scholar provides dedicated PTE training focused specifically on these new PR thresholds. Our expert counsellors guide you through the score conversion strategy, provide highly targeted training modules for the 85/88 skills, and ensure your application package meets the strict DHA compliance standards. Stop guessing and start preparing with the precise strategy that secures your Australian career pathway.
Need help mapping your score to the right university? Our experts at Leap Scholar can help you shortlist options that align with your current profile and future goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1: What is the absolute minimum PTE score for an Australia Student Visa?
A: The Department of Home Affairs requires a minimum overall score of 47. Scores between 36 and 46 may be accepted if you bundle your degree with an ELICOS (English course).
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Q2: Can I combine scores from two different PTE tests?
A: Generally, no. You must meet the requirements in a single test sitting for visas and university admissions. Nursing registration (AHPRA) has very specific exceptions, but for most students, “one sitting” is the rule.
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Q3: Is PTE easier than IELTS for Indian students?
A: Many students find PTE less stressful because it is computer-scored, which eliminates human bias in the Speaking and Writing sections. However, achieving the new “Superior” scores (85+) for PR is now quite rigorous.
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Q4: How do I send my PTE scores?
A: You do not need to pay or send physical copies. Log in to your Pearson PTE account, select ‘Send Scores’, and type the name of your university or “Department of Home Affairs – Australia”. It is free and instant.
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