If you are using PTE Academic for AHPRA registration, the score requirements changed in April 2026. For tests taken from 23 April 2026, the current PTE score for AHPRA is 63 overall, with at least 58 in Listening, 59 in Reading, 60 in Writing and 76 in Speaking.
On This Page
- Current AHPRA PTE Scores
- What Changed in April 2026?
- PTE Is Only One Way to Meet the English Standard
- 1. Education Pathways
- 2. Test Pathway
- Using Two PTE Test Sittings
- You Cannot Mix Different English Tests
- How Long Is the PTE Result Usable?
- Pearson Verification Matters
- AHPRA Registration and Migration Are Separate
- Why Speaking Deserves Extra Attention
- What Happens Once the English Standard Is Met?
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
The score itself is only one part of the English requirement. Your profession, the pathway you use to prove English and the age of your test result can all affect whether the evidence is acceptable.
Current AHPRA PTE Scores
For PTE Academic tests taken from 23 April 2026, the current score profile is:
| PTE Academic | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 63 |
| Listening | 58 |
| Reading | 59 |
| Writing | 60 |
| Speaking | 76 |
Speaking is the highest target. That makes the current AHPRA PTE requirement quite different from the older score pattern. A candidate can have an overall score above 63 and still fall short if one individual skill is below its minimum. For the official score table, check the AHPRA accepted English tests page.
What Changed in April 2026?
Before 23 April 2026, the PTE settings were different.
| Test date | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 22 Apr 2026 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 56 | 66 |
| From 23 Apr 2026 | 63 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 76 |
The main shift is obvious in Speaking. Under the newer settings, Listening and Reading are lower than before, Writing is slightly higher, and Speaking rises sharply.
That is why an old target such as “66 overall” is no longer enough information for someone preparing now.
PTE Is Only One Way to Meet the English Standard
Some applicants assume they must sit PTE because they see an English requirement in the registration process.
That is not always the case. AHPRA and the National Boards recognise several pathways for demonstrating English language competency. Depending on your background, you may qualify through education instead of an English test.
1. Education Pathways
The recognised routes can involve combinations of:
- school education completed in English
- professional qualifications
- advanced education
- study in recognised countries
The details matter. Completing one course in English does not automatically mean you meet the standard.
2. Test Pathway
If the education routes do not fit your circumstances, you can use an approved English test. This is where PTE Academic AHPRA registration becomes relevant. For nurses and midwives, PTEClasses already has a separate PTE Requirement for Nursing in Australia guide. This page stays focused on the broader AHPRA test framework.
Using Two PTE Test Sittings
AHPRA allows up to two test sittings in certain cases. But this is not a simple “take your best score from each test” system.
For the current AHPRA two sittings PTE arrangement, each sitting needs an overall score of at least 63. Across the two sittings, you must still reach the full required scores in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
There are also lower limits that cannot be breached in either attempt.
| Skill | Lowest score allowed in either sitting |
|---|---|
| Listening | 53 |
| Reading | 54 |
| Writing | 60 |
| Speaking | 66 |
A useful example is someone who gets strong Listening, Reading and Writing in the first test but misses Speaking. A better Speaking result in the second sitting may help, provided the other rules are still satisfied.
If Writing drops below 60 in either sitting, the combined route no longer works. That is the part many people miss.
You Cannot Mix Different English Tests
Two sittings must come from the same test type. You cannot build one result by combining PTE with IELTS or OET. If you start with PTE Academic, the second sitting also needs to be PTE Academic.
How Long Is the PTE Result Usable?
For the test pathway, results from the previous two years are normally the starting point. Older results may still be considered in some cases, particularly where the applicant has continued appropriate study or work in English under the conditions recognised by the registration standard.
So the age of the test is important, but it is not always the only factor. If your result is approaching two years old, check the current rules before booking another test.
Pearson Verification Matters
AHPRA needs to be able to verify your test result. That means uploading a screenshot is not enough on its own. Applicants using PTE may need to authorise AHPRA to access the score through Pearson’s verification system. This is a small administrative detail, but it can cause unnecessary delays if it is overlooked.
AHPRA Registration and Migration Are Separate
AHPRA registration is not the same as a visa or migration skills assessment. AHPRA and the relevant National Board assess professional registration. Home Affairs assesses visa English requirements. For some professions, another assessing authority may also be involved in migration. For example, nursing applicants can deal with AHPRA/NMBA for registration and ANMAC for migration skills assessment.
The same PTE result may be useful across more than one process, but the rules are not automatically identical. If your goal also includes skilled migration, the PTEClasses PTE for Australia PR guide covers that separate issue.
Why Speaking Deserves Extra Attention
Under the current AHPRA PTE score 2026 settings, Speaking is the highest hurdle at 76.
Suppose your recent practice results are:
- Listening 66
- Reading 64
- Writing 62
- Speaking 71
- Overall 65
The overall score is fine. Listening, Reading and Writing are also above their minimums. Speaking is the problem. In that situation, spending equal time on every skill makes little sense.
The PTE Score Calculator can help you compare your current results with the required scores, while PTE Practice Questions can be used to work on the task types linked to your weaker area.
What Happens Once the English Standard Is Met?
Meeting the English requirement clears only one part of the registration process.
Depending on your profession, the National Board may also assess:
- qualifications
- identity
- criminal history
- recency of practice
- professional indemnity insurance
- profession-specific registration standards
So a qualifying PTE result is important, but it is not the final registration decision.
Final Thoughts
For PTE Academic tests taken from 23 April 2026, the current PTE score for AHPRA registration is 63 overall, with 58 in Listening, 59 in Reading, 60 in Writing and 76 in Speaking. Some applicants can use two compliant sittings, while others may meet the English standard through an education pathway instead of testing. Check your profession, test date and English pathway before deciding whether another PTE attempt is actually necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
Can I use PTE Core for AHPRA registration?
No. The accepted Pearson test is PTE Academic.
Can I use PTE taken for migration?
Potentially, yes. It still has to meet the AHPRA score, timing and verification rules.
Does passing PTE mean registration is approved?
No. English is only one part of the registration process.
Can I use an at-home PTE test?
No. The accepted PTE format is the test-centre version.
Do I have to keep retaking PTE after registration?
No. Once the English standard has been met and you remain registered, there is no routine requirement to keep sitting PTE every two years.
What happens if one of my two sittings has Speaking below 66?
That sitting falls below the current minimum floor for the two-test pathway.
