English points for Australian PR
In the skilled-migration points test, English is worth up to 20 points: 10 for Proficient English and 20 for Superior English. Home Affairs checks each of the four skills on its own, so your weakest skill sets your level, and for many candidates that skill is Speaking. Try a full PTE Academic or IELTS speaking test with an AI examiner, free, and see where you stand.
How many points is English worth?
The points-tested skilled visas (Skilled Independent subclass 189, Skilled Nominated subclass 190 and Skilled Work Regional subclass 491) need at least Competent English to apply. Competent English earns no points, Proficient English earns 10 and Superior English earns 20.
Each level is a minimum score in every one of the four test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). A strong overall score does not help if a single component is below the minimum: that component decides your level.
| English level | Points | IELTS (Academic or General Training) | PTE Academic (tests from 7 August 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 0 | 6 in each component | Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54 |
| Proficient | 10 | 7 in each component | Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76 |
| Superior | 20 | 8 in each component | Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85, Speaking 88 |
- The IELTS minimums are the same for tests taken before and after 7 August 2025.
- Home Affairs does not accept English tests delivered completely online (for example IELTS Online). Depending on the visa, the test must have been taken in the 3 years before you apply.
- Home Affairs sets and updates these requirements. Check the current tables for your visa on the Home Affairs site before you book a test. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, English language requirements
Sources: Home Affairs: English language · Home Affairs: Competent English · Home Affairs: Proficient English · Home Affairs: Superior English · Home Affairs: Points table (subclass 189)
PTE Academic: the scores changed on 7 August 2025
PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 are a new version of the test with different scores, and Home Affairs set a different minimum for each skill. Speaking now has the highest minimum of the four at every level.
| English level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent (0 points) | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient (10 points) | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior (20 points) | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
- PTE Academic tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 are assessed against the previous minimums: 65 in each skill for Proficient and 79 in each skill for Superior English. Depending on the visa, those results can be used until 6 August 2028.
Why Speaking is so often the skill to fix
Because every component has its own minimum, candidates are often held back by a single skill, and that skill is often Speaking. Four reasons:
One weak skill caps your points
The minimum applies to every component. A Speaking score just under the line keeps you at Competent or Proficient however strong your other three skills are.
PTE Academic asks the most of Speaking
For tests taken from 7 August 2025, Speaking has the highest minimum: 76 for Proficient and 88 for Superior, against 58 and 69 for Listening.
It is hard to practise alone
Reading and listening can be drilled with practice material and an answer key. Speaking needs someone to listen, keep time and tell you what to change.
It is marked under time pressure
Fluency and pronunciation are scored on answers you give in seconds after a short preparation time. Knowing what to say is not the same as saying it well on the day.
No practice tool can promise a score. What helps is many timed attempts, specific feedback after each one, and an honest view of how far you are from the level you need.
Find out where your Speaking stands, free
Lingo Copilot runs the speaking part of each test on the published format and timings and gives feedback after every answer. Start with one free full test, no credit card needed.
PTE Academic Speaking
One full PTE Academic speaking mock test is free: every speaking task, timed like the real test, with estimated trait scores and an estimated Speaking score on the 10–90 scale shown next to the Home Affairs minimums.
Start the free PTE speaking mockAbout PTE Academic Speaking practiceIELTS Speaking
The free IELTS speaking evaluation is a full three-part speaking test with an AI examiner (Part 1 interview, Part 2 cue card, Part 3 discussion), with an estimated band score and feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
Start the free IELTS speaking testAbout IELTS Speaking practiceAI estimates for practice. Not an official score: only the official test gives a result Home Affairs accepts.
Speak a community language? That can be 5 more points
The points test also awards 5 points for a credentialled community language. One way to earn them is NAATI's Credentialled Community Language (CCL) test, which checks that you can interpret short dialogues between English and your other language. Lingo Copilot CCL is our practice platform for the NAATI CCL test.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is English worth for Australian PR?
In the points test for subclasses 189, 190 and 491, Proficient English is worth 10 points and Superior English 20 points. Competent English is the minimum to apply and is worth no points.
What PTE Academic score do I need for 20 points?
For PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Superior English needs at least 69 in Listening, 70 in Reading, 85 in Writing and 88 in Speaking. For 10 points (Proficient English) the minimums are 58, 59, 69 and 76. Check the current Home Affairs tables before you book.
Is PTE 65 or 79 in each skill still enough?
Only for PTE Academic tests taken on or before 6 August 2025: those results are assessed against the previous minimums (65 in each skill for Proficient, 79 for Superior) and, depending on the visa, can be used until 6 August 2028. Tests taken from 7 August 2025 use the new minimums.
What IELTS score do I need for 10 or 20 points?
At least 7 in each of the four components for Proficient English (10 points) and at least 8 in each for Superior English (20 points), in IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. Home Affairs does not accept IELTS Online.
How do I get 5 extra points for a community language?
The points test awards 5 points for a credentialled community language, for example by passing NAATI's Credentialled Community Language (CCL) test. Lingo Copilot CCL (ccl.lingo-copilot.com) is our practice platform for it.
Are Lingo Copilot's scores official?
No. They are AI estimates for practice. Only the official PTE Academic or IELTS test gives a score Home Affairs accepts, and Home Affairs sets the requirements.
Practise the skill that decides your points
Take one full speaking test free, see your estimated score next to the level you need, and practise with feedback after every answer.