PTE scores run from 10 to 90. As a quick guide, PTE 47 is close to IELTS 6.0, PTE 63 is close to IELTS 7.0 and PTE 79 is close to IELTS 8.0. For Australian visas, though, the overall score is not enough: since 7 August 2025 the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate minimum for each skill.
Use the charts below to see where you stand, then check your exact gap with our PTE score calculator.
PTE to IELTS conversion chart (2026)
| IELTS band | PTE Academic score |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 90 |
| 8.5 | 86 to 89 |
| 8.0 | 79 to 85 |
| 7.5 | 71 to 78 |
| 7.0 | 63 to 70 |
| 6.5 | 55 to 62 |
| 6.0 | 47 to 54 |
| 5.5 | 39 to 46 |
| 5.0 | 31 to 38 |
Universities and visa authorities each set their own requirements. Use this chart to compare, then check the exact score on your offer letter or the visa's official page.
Australian English levels (tests from 7 August 2025)
For skilled migration, Home Affairs uses three English levels. You must reach the minimum in every skill in one test.
| Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | PR points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 | 0 |
| Proficient | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 | 10 |
| Superior | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 | 20 |
Speaking and Writing have the highest minimums. Most students who miss Proficient or Superior are short in Speaking, not Reading or Listening. More in our guide to PTE scores for Australia.
Common PTE score requirements
| Purpose | Typical PTE requirement |
|---|---|
| Australian student visa (subclass 500) | 47 overall (lower with packaged English courses) |
| Australian skilled visas (189, 190, 491) | Competent minimum, Proficient for 10 points, Superior for 20 |
| AHPRA registration (nursing and health) | 63 overall, Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76 |
| Undergraduate courses | Often 50 to 58 overall with minimum skill scores |
| Postgraduate courses | Often 58 to 65 overall with minimum skill scores |
| Canada (economic immigration) | PTE Core, converted to CLB levels |
University figures vary by course and change often. Check your exact course page. For nursing, see PTE for nurses. For Canada, see PTE Core and CLB.
What each score range means
| PTE score | What it usually opens |
|---|---|
| 30 to 46 | Foundation and pathway courses, some vocational routes |
| 47 to 57 | Australian student visa minimum, many diploma and bachelor courses |
| 58 to 64 | Most undergraduate and many postgraduate courses |
| 65 to 78 | Competitive postgraduate courses; Proficient English if each skill clears its minimum |
| 79 to 90 | Superior English if each skill clears its minimum; the most demanding courses |
How to read your PTE score report
Your report shows an overall score and four skill scores: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. There is no breakdown by question. Because many tasks feed two skills, the overall is not the average of the four. That is why per-skill minimums matter so much, and why understanding how PTE is scored helps you find the right tasks to fix.
How far apart are the levels?
| Moving from | Biggest gap | Where to focus |
|---|---|---|
| Competent to Proficient | Speaking +22, Writing +18 | Describe Image, Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, Summarize Written Text |
| Proficient to Superior | Speaking +12, Writing +16 | Content, fluency and pronunciation in Describe Image and Summarize Group Discussion; spelling; essay form |
Use our plan for scoring 79+ (Superior) if you are aiming for 20 points.
Australian levels in IELTS terms
Home Affairs defines each level by IELTS bands, then sets the matching PTE score for each skill. That is why PTE minimums are not the same number in every skill.
| Level | IELTS (each skill) | PTE Listening | PTE Reading | PTE Writing | PTE Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 6.0 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient | 7.0 | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | 8.0 | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
The pattern is clear: to show the same level as IELTS, PTE asks for more in Speaking and Writing than in Listening and Reading. Plan your preparation around that.
How to gain 5 to 10 points in each skill
Start with the biggest tasks in each skill. The percentages come from Pearson's question weightings.
| Skill | Fastest gains | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Describe Image first (31% of Speaking), then Repeat Sentence; no long pauses, no self-correction | Describe Image template, Repeat Sentence tips |
| Writing | Write Essay and Summarize Written Text (together 59% of Writing) with the form rules kept, plus spelling in dictation | Write from Dictation |
| Reading | A fixed routine for both Fill in the Blanks tasks (45% of Reading), about two minutes per passage | Reading Fill in the Blanks |
| Listening | Summarize Group Discussion and Repeat Sentence (37% of Listening), daily dictation, careful clicking | Highlight Incorrect Words |
Why your mock score and real score can differ
Practice platforms estimate your score with their own scoring, so a mock can be a few points higher or lower than the real test. Use mocks to track direction and find weak tasks. Book when your mocks clear your target in every skill with a small margin, not when they only just touch it.
Frequently asked questions
What PTE score equals IELTS 7?
PTE 63 to 70 is equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall. For Australian Proficient English, you need at least Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69 and Speaking 76.
What PTE score equals IELTS 6?
PTE 47 to 54. That is why the Australian student visa minimum is 47 overall.
Is PTE 65 a good score?
It is strong for most university courses. For Australian PR, what matters is whether each skill clears the Proficient minimums.
Is 79 still the target for Superior English?
Not exactly. Since August 2025, Superior is Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85 and Speaking 88.
Can I combine skill scores from two PTE tests?
For Australian skilled visa points, plan on meeting every skill in one test. Some registration bodies, such as AHPRA, have their own rules for combining sittings.
Need to move up a level? Our tutors find the skill holding you back and fix that first. See courses or send us your scorecard on WhatsApp.