PTE score for Australia PR — points guide
Updated 29 May 2026 · 5 min read
Australian skilled migration runs on points. English proficiency is worth up to 20 points — and PTE is the fastest way for most candidates to lock in those points. This guide breaks down exactly which PTE scores you need for each band of PR points, which visa subclasses accept PTE, and the realistic study time to move from one band to the next.
PTE score thresholds for PR points
Competent English (0 points): PTE 50 in all four skills. Required to be eligible for skilled visas at all.
Proficient English (10 points): PTE 65 in all four skills. The default target for most skilled visa applicants.
Superior English (20 points): PTE 79 in all four skills. The single highest-leverage way to add PR points — worth more than 5 years of additional work experience in many occupations.
The minimum is per skill, not average. PTE 79/79/79/65 = Proficient (10 points), not Superior — your weakest skill defines your band.
Which Australian visas accept PTE?
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (Skilled Nominated), 491 (Skilled Work Regional), 482 (TSS), 485 (Temporary Graduate), 500 (Student), 186 (ENS), 187 (RSMS), 887 (Skilled Regional), 858 (Distinguished Talent) — all accept PTE Academic.
Not accepted for partner visas (subclass 820/801, 309/100) — those use a different framework that only accepts IELTS, OET, TOEFL iBT, CAE.
How long does it take to go from 65 to 79?
Most candidates plateau at 65 because Speaking and Writing usually hit a ceiling before Reading and Listening. Going from 65 to 79 (10 points to 20 points) typically takes 6–12 weeks of focused practice for a candidate already at CEFR C1.
The most common Superior English blocker is Speaking 79 — specifically the Repeat Sentence and Re-tell Lecture tasks. Read Aloud is usually achievable with consistent pacing practice. Writing 79 requires hitting both Summarize Written Text and Essay templates precisely.
Realistic study plan to hit Superior English
Week 1–2: Diagnostic mock + identify your weakest skill. Most candidates discover Speaking is the gap.
Week 3–6: 20 Read Aloud + 20 Repeat Sentence + 5 Describe Image per day. Use AI feedback to fix pacing and pronunciation. Add 3 Essays + 5 Summarize Written Text per week.
Week 7–10: Full mock exam every Sunday. Track score progression by skill.
Week 11–12: Book the real test. Schedule on a morning slot when you're freshest.
Step-by-step plan
- 1
Take a diagnostic mock
Identify your weakest skill — usually Speaking or Writing.
- 2
Focus on Speaking sub-types
Practice Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image daily with AI feedback.
- 3
Add Writing templates
Memorize a Summarize Written Text template and an Essay template.
- 4
Weekly full mocks
Track score progression every Sunday for 4–6 weeks.
- 5
Book a morning slot
Schedule the real test in a morning session when your voice is freshest.
Frequently asked questions
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