For anyone planning to apply for an Australian visa through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), it’s crucial to understand the updated language proficiency requirements for the PTE Academic test. Starting from 7 August 2025, the DHA will implement new score thresholds for applicants taking the PTE Academic test as part of their visa application. In this blog, we’ll explore the new requirements, compare them with the old scores, and provide helpful tips on how to prepare for the changes.

The Old vs. New Score Requirements for PTE Academic

To help you understand the changes, let’s compare the old PTE Academic score requirements with the new ones that will take effect on August 7, 2025. Here’s a breakdown:

Old PTE Academic Score Requirements (Before 7 August 2025)

Category	Old Overall Score	Old Listening Score	Old Reading Score	Old Speaking Score	Old Writing Score
Functional	30	–	–	–	–
Vocational	–	36	36	36	36
Competent	–	50	50	50	50
Proficient	–	65	65	65	65
Superior	–	79	79	79	79

New PTE Academic Score Requirements (From 7 August 2025)

Category	Old Each Skill	New Overall Score	New Listening Score	New Reading Score	New Speaking Score	New Writing Score
Functional	30	24	–	–	–	–
Vocational	36	–	33	36	24	29
Competent	50	–	47	48	54	51
Proficient	65	–	58	59	76	69
Superior	79	–	69	70	88	85

Key Changes Between the Old and New Scores

• Functional Category: The overall score requirement has decreased from 30 to 24. This means applicants who need to show basic proficiency will have a slightly easier target to hit.

• Vocational Category: While the overall score requirement doesn’t exist in the old system, the new system breaks it down by skill. Listening now needs to be 33, Reading 36, Speaking 24, and Writing 29.

• Competent Category: The new requirements have become a bit more specific. For example, Listening and Reading now require scores of 47 and 48, while Speaking and Writing need scores of 54 and 51.

• Proficient Category: The listening score requirement is now set at 58, and reading at 59. Speaking has increased significantly to 76, while Writing is set at 69.

• Superior Category: The highest proficiency category still requires the highest scores. For Listening and Reading, the scores are now 69 and 70. Speaking and Writing have been adjusted to 88 and 85, respectively.

How Do These Changes Impact You?

The main takeaway from the updated requirements is that most applicants will find the changes either neutral or beneficial. While some scores have been raised slightly, many others have been reduced, which could make it easier for some people to qualify for their visa. Pearson, the provider of the PTE Academic test, conducted a study with over 1,500 participants to analyze the effect of these new requirements. According to the findings, nearly 90% of participants would fall into the same or a higher proficiency category under the new scoring system. This suggests that, for the majority of applicants, these updates won’t make it significantly harder to meet the language proficiency criteria.

How to Prepare for the New PTE Academic Test

With these new requirements in place, it’s important to start preparing early. Sumlingo offers a range of preparation resources to help you get ready for the updated PTE Academic test. Here’s how you can ensure you’re fully prepared:

• Test Tips and Strategies: Test tips are available to help you prepare for the new question types in the PTE Academic exam. These tips will guide you through the changes in the test format and provide strategies to maximize your score.

• Practice Tests: New practice tests that reflect the updated PTE Academic format are now available on sumlingo. Taking these practice tests will help you get familiar with the changes and pinpoint areas where you need further improvement.

• Preparation Courses: If you’re looking for a more structured way to prepare, sumlingo offers specialized PTE Academic preparation material. This provides personalized study plans tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. With detailed feedback, you’ll be able to track your progress and work towards reaching your target score more efficiently.

What If You Took the Test Before 7 August 2025?

If you took the PTE Academic test before 7 August 2025, the old score requirements still apply to your visa application, even if you submit it after the new changes go into effect. So, if you’ve already completed the test, you don’t need to worry about adjusting to the new score thresholds.

In Conclusion

The updated PTE Academic score requirements for DHA visa applications, effective from 7 August 2025, reflect a shift towards more precise language proficiency standards. While some categories have seen an increase in the required scores, many others have been reduced, making it easier for most test-takers to meet the language requirements. Whether you’re preparing for the PTE Academic test now or in the future, staying informed about these changes and using Pearson’s updated preparation resources will give you the best chance to achieve the necessary scores for your visa application.