For the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), you need at least
Competent English when you receive an invitation to apply. If you use
PTE Academic and take the test on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum
PTE score for 189 visa eligibility is 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 51
in Writing and 54 in Speaking. A higher English level can also improve
your points score. Proficient English gives 10 points, while Superior
English gives 20.
On This Page
- Minimum PTE Score for Subclass 189
- How English Points Work for Subclass 189
- Current PTE Scores for 10 and 20 English Points
- Why Old PTE 50 and 65 Advice Can Be Misleading
- Do You Need Proficient English for a 189 Visa?
- 1. Applicant A
- 2. Applicant B
- When Must You Have the Required English Score?
- Can Passport Evidence Be Used Instead of PTE?
- Does a High Overall PTE Score Matter?
- How to Choose the Right PTE Target for Subclass 189
- 1. If you only need eligibility
- 2. If you need 10 more points
- 3. If you need the maximum English points
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Minimum PTE Score
for Subclass 189
The current 189 visa PTE requirement is based on Competent
English.
| PTE Academic skill | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 47 |
| Reading | 48 |
| Writing | 51 |
| Speaking | 54 |
You need all four component scores. A high result in one skill cannot
make up for another skill falling below its minimum. For a detailed
explanation of the English level itself, see the PTEClasses Competent
English PTE Score guide.
How English
Points Work for Subclass 189
The Subclass 189 visa is points tested, and English can add to your
total score.
| English level | Migration points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
This is where PTE points for 189 visa applicants become important.
Competent English meets the minimum English requirement, but it does not
add points. If your EOI needs a stronger points score, moving to
Proficient or Superior English may be worthwhile.
Current
PTE Scores for 10 and 20 English Points
If you want more than the minimum English level, the current PTE
Academic thresholds are:
| Skill | Competent | Proficient | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 47 | 58 | 69 |
| Reading | 48 | 59 | 70 |
| Writing | 51 | 69 | 85 |
| Speaking | 54 | 76 | 88 |
| Points | 0 | 10 | 20 |
This gives you a clear way to choose your target. Someone who only
needs the visa minimum can prepare for Competent English. Someone who
needs another 10 points should work towards Proficient English.
The PTEClasses Proficient
English PTE Score guide covers the 10-point level in more
detail.
Why Old
PTE 50 and 65 Advice Can Be Misleading
The PTE score framework changed on 7 August 2025.
Before that date:
- Competent English used PTE 50 in each skill
- Proficient English used PTE 65 in each skill
Those numbers still appear in older blogs, videos and forum posts.
For a new test, do not prepare using the old equal-score system. The
current PTE thresholds are different across Listening, Reading, Writing
and Speaking. If you already have an older result, check whether it is
still valid under the transitional rules before booking another
test.
Do You
Need Proficient English for a 189 Visa?
No, This is one of the most common misunderstandings around the
subclass 189 English requirement. You need at least Competent English
for eligibility. Proficient English is useful because it adds 10 points,
not because every Subclass 189 applicant must have it.
For example:
1. Applicant A
Current points before extra English points: 75 If
this person already has Competent English, they may not need to chase
Proficient English purely to cross the minimum points threshold.
2. Applicant B
Current points before extra English points: 60
- Competent English leaves the profile at 60.
- Proficient English adds 10 points, taking the total to
70.
For this applicant, the proficient English 189 points can materially
change the profile. That is why the right PTE target depends on your EOI
rather than on what another applicant scored.
When Must
You Have the Required English Score?
For Subclass 189, the key timing point is the invitation. You need to
hold the required English level when you are invited to apply.
SkillSelect allows you to update your EOI before an invitation. So if
you submit an EOI with Competent English and later improve to Proficient
English, you can update your English result and points claim before an
invitation is issued. Once invited, your claims need to match the
evidence you actually held at the relevant time.
Can
Passport Evidence Be Used Instead of PTE?
For Competent English, yes in certain cases. You may be able to
establish Competent English through a valid passport if you are a
citizen of:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- the Republic of Ireland
- the United Kingdom
- the United States of America
That can satisfy the minimum competent English 189 requirement. But
passport evidence does not automatically give you Proficient or Superior
English points. If you want the extra 10 or 20 points, you need evidence
for the higher English level.
Does a High
Overall PTE Score Matter?
Not by itself. For Subclass 189 English levels, each skill needs to
meet the required threshold.
For example:
| Skill | Example score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 65 |
| Reading | 63 |
| Writing | 67 |
| Speaking | 77 |
This result meets Competent English but does not meet Proficient
English because Writing is below 69. That is why you should track each
communicative skill separately.
You can use the PTE Score
Calculator to review your practice scores against your intended
migration target.
How
to Choose the Right PTE Target for Subclass 189
Do not start with a random number such as 65, 79 or 90. Start with
your migration profile.
1. If you only need
eligibility
Aim for Competent English:
L47, R48, W51, S54
2. If you need 10 more
points
Aim for Proficient English:
L58, R59, W69, S76
3. If you need
the maximum English points
Aim for Superior English:
L69, R70, W85, S88
The best target is the one that improves your actual EOI
position.
For broader skilled migration English planning, the PTEClasses PTE for Australia
PR guide covers the wider context.
Final Thoughts
The minimum PTE score for 189 visa eligibility is the Competent
English level: 47 Listening, 48 Reading, 51 Writing and 54 Speaking for
current tests. If you need more migration points, Proficient English
adds 10 and Superior English adds 20. Your PTE target should therefore
be based on the points your EOI actually needs, not on an outdated or
generic PR score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
Can I update my EOI after getting a better PTE result?
Yes. If you have not yet received an invitation, you can update your
EOI when your English result improves.
Can I use PTE Core for Subclass 189?
No. The relevant Pearson test for Australian skilled migration is PTE
Academic.
Does PTE 90 give more than 20 English points?
No. Superior English is the highest English category in the current
points test and gives 20 points.
Can my partner’s English affect my Subclass 189 points?
Yes, partner-related points can form part of the broader points test,
but that is separate from your own English points.
Is 65 total points enough for a 189 invitation?
65 is the minimum threshold to be considered, not a guaranteed
invitation score. Actual invitation outcomes depend on the occupation
and the competitive ranking of EOIs.
Can an older PTE 50-each result still be used?
Potentially. Older tests are subject to transitional and validity
rules, so check the test date before deciding whether you need another
attempt.
