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Updated PTE Score Requirements for Australian Visas: What You Need to Know in 2025
- ICS Marketing
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Note: The below mentioned information is for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice. If you are looking for legal advice, please book an appointment with our registered migration agents.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has introduced new English language test score requirements under the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016).These changes directly impact applicants relying on the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) for visas that specify English levels such as Competent, Proficient, or Superior English.
While IELTS remains unchanged, PTE Academic now has new score thresholds for each English requirement level.
1. Why Has This Changed?
English language skills are a key eligibility factor for many Australian visa subclasses. For example, for years, Competent English under PTE meant a minimum score of 50 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).The 2025 update recognizes new scoring alignments and sets different scores for each component instead of a uniform score.
2. Updated PTE Academic Requirements by English Level
A. Competent English (Common for Skilled Visas & Employer Sponsored Visas)
Listening: 47
Reading: 48
Writing: 51
Speaking: 54
(Old requirement: 50 in each skill)
B. Proficient English (Used for Additional Points & Some Occupations)
Listening: 58
Reading: 59
Writing: 69
Speaking: 76
(Old requirement: 65 in each skill)
C. Superior English (Maximum Points Claim & Some Specialist Visas)
Listening: 69
Reading: 70
Writing: 85
Speaking: 88
(Old requirement: 79 in each skill)
3. What About IELTS and Other Tests?
IELTS scores remain the same (Competent = 6 each, Proficient = 7 each, Superior = 8 each).
The change only affects PTE Academic and only for visa applications lodged on or after 7 August 2025.
4. Will This Affect Student Visas?
No major changes for Student Visas. Student visa subclasses have fixed English requirements (like IELTS 6 or equivalent) and are not based on “Competent”, “Proficient”, or “Superior” definitions. These updates primarily affect:
General Skilled Migration (subclass 189, 190, 491)
Employer Sponsored visas (subclass 482, 186)
Partner and other family visas (in some circumstances)
However, similar changes could be expected for student visas and other applications.
5. Why Is This Important?
More flexible for applicants: The updated PTE component-based scores are slightly lower than the previous uniform benchmarks, especially in Listening and Reading, however, Writing and Speaking requirements seems to have increased.
Impacts migration planning: Applicants targeting points-tested visas or employer sponsorship must now check which English level their occupation or visa stream requires.
Testing strategy changes: Applicants may need to focus on different skills depending on their target English level.
6. Summary Table – PTE Academic vs IELTS Equivalence (2025)
English Level | PTE Academic (New) | IELTS Equivalent |
Competent | L 47, R 48, W 51, S 54 | 6 each band |
Proficient | L 58, R 59, W 69, S 76 | 7 each band |
Superior | L 69, R 70, W 85, S 88 | 8 each band |
(IELTS scoring remains unchanged)
7. Final Note
If you are applying for an Australian skilled or employer-sponsored visa after 7 August 2025, check your English test scores carefully.
Source and Detail Information that includes other Proficiency Examination besides IELTS and PTE are available below:
Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 and the official [Australian Government Legislation Register]
LIN 25/016 - Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025