PTE Academic for Australian PR and other visas

PTE scores for each English level

Pearson published this table of the Home Affairs requirements on 7 August 2025. Functional English needs an overall score of 24 rather than scores for each skill. Home Affairs sets these scores itself, from research data Pearson shares, so check its English language pages on the Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before you rely on them, as Pearson itself advises.

Tests taken before 7 August 2025

The old scores still apply to a test taken before 7 August 2025, even if you apply after that date. They were a single minimum for each of the four skills: 36 for vocational, 50 for competent, 65 for proficient and 79 for superior English. Functional English was an overall 30.

If you compare the two tables, listening went down at every level and reading at every level above vocational, while speaking and writing went up at competent, proficient and superior. So an older score report and a newer one with the same scores can land you at different levels.

Is it PTE Academic for Australian PR, or PTE General?

PTE Academic. Pearson’s Australian visa page lists it for the student visa (subclass 500) and for skilled and other subclasses including 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 485, 858 and 887. PTE Core is Pearson’s test for Canada, and PTE General (now Pearson English International Certificate) is a different test that Pearson’s Australian visa page doesn’t list.

Getting your score to Home Affairs

When you book, tick the box to share your scores with Home Affairs and they’re sent automatically. If you didn’t, you can send them later from myPTE or give the Score Report Code on your application. Pearson’s handbook says Home Affairs accepts scores assigned up to three years after your test date, although Pearson’s own validity is two years.