General information, not migration advice. We explain published test information. We can't tell you what you personally need. Requirements change, so always check the official website of the organisation or immigration authority you're applying to, or speak to a registered migration adviser.
What changed in the test
From 7 August 2025, Pearson updated PTE Academic:
- Two new speaking tasks: Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation.
- Longer test: up to about 2 hours 15 minutes.
- More human review: human experts now review some speaking and writing content before scores are confirmed.
What changed in the score tables
Home Affairs treats tests from before and after 7 August 2025 as different tests, even though both are called PTE Academic.
| Level | Old table (on or before 6 Aug 2025) | New table (on or after 7 Aug 2025): L / R / W / S |
|---|---|---|
| Competent | 50 in each skill | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 |
| Proficient | 65 in each skill | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 |
| Superior | 79 in each skill | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 |
What this means in practice
- Don't compare old and new scores directly. A new speaking score of 79 doesn't reach the new Superior level (88).
- Speaking and writing targets are higher in the new table; listening and reading are lower.
- Old results can still count. Home Affairs says results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
- Old study materials may be out of date. Make sure your practice includes the two new speaking tasks.
Check your own numbers with our PTE score checker, which uses the right table for your test date.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs English language pages and Pearson's test format pages.
Frequently asked questions
Why did PTE scores change in August 2025?
The test format changed, and the Australian Government updated the PTE score table for tests taken from 7 August 2025.
Is my old PTE score still valid?
Test results are usually valid for a set period. Check the Home Affairs website for how older scores are treated.
Where can I compare the old and new tables?
Our page shows both side by side, with links to the official sources.