Did you know that a competent English PTE score of 50 earns zero points towards Australian PR, while scoring 79+ adds valuable migration points?
Your English proficiency test scores are vital to your Australian study or migration experience. PTE academic test results now have recognition from all Australian universities and immigration authorities. Test takers receive their results within 48 hours.
Most undergraduate programmes need PTE scores between 50 and 58. Students must score 65 or higher to earn points for permanent residency applications. PTE scores stay valid for two years, which gives enough time to finish the migration process.
This piece will help you understand everything about getting the required competent English PTE score for your Australian PR application. We’ll explore the exact requirements and help you prepare for your test effectively.
Understanding Competent English PTE Requirements
PTE academic test scores play a crucial role in Australian PR applications. You have obtained one of the following English language test results:
| Specified test results Test | Score |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024, will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted. | At least 169 in each of the 4 components. The Department of Home Affairs recognises PTE Academic as an approved English language test to verify competent English skills. |
What is Competent English for Australian PR
Several visa subclasses (494, 491, 489, 190, 189, 188, 187, and 186) require competent English. Your partner must also prove competent English at the time of invitation if you want to claim partner points under subclasses 189, 190, 489, or 491.
Required PTE scores for each component
The competent English requirement through PTE Academic needs a minimum score of 50 in these four components:
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
Test results stay valid for three years from your test date. On top of that, you must take these tests at secure test centres. The Department of Home Affairs won’t accept online or at-home versions of PTE for migration.
How scores translate to PR points
Here’s how PTE scores convert to PR points:
- Competent English (50+ in each component): 0 points
- Proficient English (65+ in each component): 10 points
- Superior English (79+ in each component): 20 points
Most skilled migration visas need at least 65 points. A higher PTE score can substantially boost your overall points, which you can assess using a PR points calculator. This becomes especially valuable when you have lower scores in other categories like age or work experience.
Passport holders from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, and British citizens don’t need to provide English language test results. Notwithstanding that, British National (Overseas) passport holders must still take the test.
Planning Your PTE Preparation
Your PTE preparation starts with understanding where you stand. A well-laid-out study plan will help you get your target scores without stress or burnout.
Assessing your current English level
Official PTE resources let you take a scored practice test to measure your current abilities. The skills profile from this assessment explains areas where you need improvement. Your personalised score report will give a full picture of your language skills in all components.
This original evaluation helps you:
- See patterns in your performance
- Find specific areas that need work
- See the gap between your current and target scores
- Figure out how much preparation you need
Setting realistic study goals
Understanding your baseline performance lets you set clear goals for PTE preparation. Students who want to boost their scores by 10 points or more typically need 4 to 6 weeks.
These factors matter when you set study goals:
- Your current level versus target score
- Time you have to prepare
- What each test component needs
- Your learning speed and time limits
The best way to prepare is to break down your study into smaller chunks. Give specific time to each exam section. To name just one example, you could focus on one main component each week: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. This approach makes sure you cover everything.
Build better study habits by:
- Sticking to a daily routine
- Working on weak spots from your assessment
- Using official PTE materials
- Taking mock tests regularly to check progress
Note that knowing the test structure and question types is vital. This knowledge helps you manage time better during the actual exam and keeps you focused while preparing.
Essential PTE Practice Strategies
You need structured practice in all components to excel in the PTE exam. Here are proven ways to boost your scores in each test section.
Speaking and writing exercises
Regular speaking practice will help you speak more fluently with better pronunciation. You should record your speaking responses and review them to spot areas that need work. A steady pace without gaps or unnecessary pauses in your speech makes a big difference.
Your writing practice should focus on:
- Writing 200-300 word essays in 20 minutes
- Creating 75-word single-sentence summaries
- Building better grammar, vocabulary, and coherence skills
Reading comprehension techniques
Quick comprehension skills are vital for reading success. Scan passages to find specific details instead of reading every word. This helps you understand main ideas and supporting information better.
Make sure you work on:
- Quickly skimming passages for central themes
- Finding key supporting details
- Learning advanced vocabulary common in academic texts
- Managing your time well across question types
Listening practice methods
The listening section has eight different parts that each need specific skills. Your listening abilities will improve with regular exposure to different English accents and contexts.
These strategies work best:
- Practise with headphones to cut out distractions
- Make short notes with keywords instead of full sentences
- Follow the text with your cursor while audio plays to stay focused
- Listen to English podcasts, news, and talk shows regularly
Give enough time to each component during your practice. Check your spelling in written answers since errors can lower your scores by a lot. Test-like conditions during practice will help you feel at home in the actual exam environment.
Common PTE Test Mistakes to Avoid
Your PTE academic success depends on knowing the common mistakes that trip up test-takers. You’ll do better on the test and reach your target scores by understanding these errors before you start.
Time management errors
The two-hour PTE format needs exact timing for each section. You can’t leave any questions unanswered because they’ll get zero marks and might lead to negative marking in partial credits.
To become skilled at managing your time:
- Begin speaking within 3 seconds when the microphone turns on, or the recording will stop by itself
- Don’t take more than 30 seconds after the audio ends in listening tasks
- Finish writing tasks on schedule; essays should take 20 minutes
The new format doesn’t have the 10-minute break anymore. This makes staying focused during the test even more important. The speaking and writing parts now take 77-93 minutes, while reading and listening take 30-45 minutes each.
Format confusion issues
Test-takers lose marks because they don’t understand what each task needs or how it should look. These mistakes affect their scores by a lot.
Note these format requirements:
- Summarise Written Text needs just one sentence that starts with a capital letter and ends with a period
- Essays must be 200-300 words long
- Use academic language throughout your test
The speaking section needs special attention. Don’t make these common mistakes:
- Talking too fast when trying to sound fluent
- Using words like ‘uh,’ ‘um,’ or ‘like’
- Stopping to explain your mistakes—just keep going
Grammar and punctuation matter too. Small errors with commas or spelling can hurt your score. Clear, simple writing works better than trying to use fancy words.
Taking practice tests without fixing your weak spots won’t help you improve. You need a well-laid-out study plan that focuses on areas where you need work.
Conclusion
Getting your target PTE score for Australian PR definitely needs structured preparation and dedication. You can secure the scores you need by understanding competent English requirements and practicing all test components consistently.
A score of 65+ or 79+ will substantially increase your PR points compared to meeting the minimum requirement of 50. You need to stay focused during the whole test and manage time well in each section to avoid mistakes that many candidates make.