If you plan to apply for Australian permanent residency through a points tested skilled visa, your PTE Academic result can make a real difference to your total score. A higher level of English can give you up to 20 extra points. That can matter when you are trying to improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
How PTE scores affect Australia PR points
For skilled migration, the English levels that matter are Competent, Proficient and Superior. Competent English helps you meet the basic English requirement, but it does not give you extra points. Proficient English gives you 10 points, while Superior English gives you 20 points.
The subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas use a points based system. You need to meet or exceed the points threshold of 65 to be considered for an invitation. However, reaching 65 points does not guarantee an invitation. Your occupation, points score, state requirements and invitation rounds can affect your chances.
PTE Academic scores for each English level
If you take PTE Academic on or after 7 August 2025, you need to meet the required score in every skill. Your overall PTE score does not decide your English points.
Competent English gives 0 points
You need at least 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 51 in Writing and 54 in Speaking. This level can satisfy the English requirement for skilled migration, but it does not add points to your points test.
Proficient English gives 10 points
You need at least 58 in Listening, 59 in Reading, 69 in Writing and 76 in Speaking. Meeting all four scores moves you to the Proficient level and adds 10 points to your migration score.
Superior English gives 20 points
You need at least 69 in Listening, 70 in Reading, 85 in Writing and 88 in Speaking. If you meet all four thresholds, you can claim 20 points for Superior English.
A simple example of PTE points calculation
Suppose your PTE result is 72 in Listening, 75 in Reading, 86 in Writing and 89 in Speaking. All four scores meet the Superior English thresholds. You can claim 20 points for English.
Now imagine another result with 72 in Listening, 75 in Reading, 86 in Writing and 84 in Speaking. The Speaking score does not reach 88, so you cannot claim Superior English points. If all four scores meet the Proficient thresholds, you can claim 10 points instead.
This is why checking each skill separately is important. Looking only at the overall score can give you the wrong idea about your migration points.
What if you took PTE before 7 August 2025
The date of your PTE test matters. If you took the test on or before 6 August 2025, the previous PTE rules may still apply, depending on your visa and the validity of your result.
Under the earlier system, Competent English required at least 50 in each PTE component. Proficient English required at least 65 in each component. Superior English required at least 79 in each component. Eligible results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used as evidence of English proficiency until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
Do not compare an older PTE result with the current score table without checking the test date and visa rules first.
How to calculate your total PR points
Your PTE points are only one part of the full points test. Once you know your English level, add those points to the points you may receive for other factors.
For example, if your current profile gives you 55 points before English and you achieve Proficient English, your total becomes 65 points. If you reach Superior English instead, your total becomes 75 points.
You can use the Department of Home Affairs points calculator to check your potential score. Your SkillSelect Expression of Interest also provides an indicative points score based on the information you enter.
Why a higher PTE score can be worth the effort
If you are around the Competent level, moving to Proficient English can add 10 points. Moving from Proficient to Superior can add another 10 points.
The new score system also shows where you need to focus. For Superior English, Writing requires 85 and Speaking requires 88. These scores are higher than the Listening requirement of 69 and Reading requirement of 70. Practising individual skills instead of relying only on full mock tests can help you work on weaker areas.
Prepare with your target in mind
Before you book your PTE Academic test, decide which English level you want to claim. If you only need Competent English, prepare for the minimum scores. If you need more points for your PR profile, set Proficient or Superior as your target.
At our PTE practice platform, you can work through practice questions, become familiar with the test format and track your performance across the four skills. This can help you identify gaps before the real test.
Final thoughts
Calculating PTE Academic points for Australia PR is not just about looking at your overall score. You need to check Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking separately and match them with the current English levels.
Competent English gives 0 points, Proficient English gives 10 points and Superior English gives 20 points. Once you know where your PTE result fits, add the English points to your other eligible points to get a clearer picture of your PR profile.
At EnglishWise, we help PTE candidates prepare with practical resources, targeted practice and guidance based on their individual needs. We understand that every extra point can matter when you are working towards Australia PR, so we focus on helping you improve your English skills and approach the PTE test with greater confidence.
Always check the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements before relying on a score, especially if you took your PTE test before 7 August 2025. Rules can change, and the correct test date and visa pathway matter when you calculate your points carefully.
