Effective date: 23 April 2026
On 23 April 2026, National Boards updated the minimum scores required for AHPRA registration. The scores you need to meet depend on when you took your English test.
If you’re a registered nurse seeking AHPRA registration in Australia, this is a major shift. The new PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic scoring requirements are now in effect.
What Changed — The Major Shift
From 23 April 2026, National Boards have updated the minimum scores of accepted English tests to align with current score concordance research and scores set by the Department of Home Affairs for migration purposes.
The key change: The major change involves component-level scoring instead of uniform thresholds across all four skills. Writing and speaking requirements increased while listening and reading requirements decreased.
NEW PTE Academic Scores (Tests on or after 23 April 2026)
For single test sitting (registered nurses):
| Component | Previous | NEW (As of Today) |
| Overall | 66 | 63 |
| Listening | 66 | 58 |
| Reading | 66 | 59 |
| Speaking | 66 | 76 ↑ |
| Writing | 56 | 60↑ |
For combined test pathway (two tests within 12 months):
You must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- A minimum overall score of 63 is achieved in each sitting, AND
- You achieve the required minimum scores in each communicative skill (listening, reading, writing, speaking) across the two sittings, AND
- When using two test sittings, no score in any of the communicative skills for either test sitting falls below:
- 53 for listening
- 54 for reading
- 60 for writing
Critical Test Date Rule — This Matters
Your test scores must meet the old minimum scores if you took your test on or before 22 April 2026. Your test scores must meet the new minimum scores if you took your test on or after 23 April 2026.
What this means: It doesn’t matter when you apply — the test date determines which standard applies. If you sat PTE yesterday (22 April), you still need the old 65 in each component. If you sit it today or later, the new requirements apply.
Other Accepted English Tests for Registered Nurse AHPRA Registration
The five English language tests accepted by National Boards are:
- Cambridge – C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
- IELTS Academic
- OET – Occupational English Test
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
Each test has been updated with equivalent score adjustments. The scores required to meet the standard have been benchmarked so they are set at equivalent levels across all the tests. It is not easier to achieve the required scores on one test compared with any of the others.
Important: No Change to English Proficiency Level Required
Despite the score adjustments, AHPRA emphasizes that the overall level of English proficiency required remains unchanged. This is not about lowering standards. It’s about realigning scores with current language research to better measure what nurses actually need to practice safely in Australia.
What This Means for Your AHPRA Nursing Registration
If you haven’t sat PTE yet:
Book your test today or later to use the new lower requirements. This is significantly easier than the previous uniform 65 across all components. However, note that Speaking (54) and Writing (51) requirements are higher than before, so focus your preparation on these productive skills.
If you already sat PTE (before 23 April 2026):
Your test score certificate is still valid under the old standards. AHPRA will accept it with no issues. You don’t need to retake the test.
If you’re taking two tests within 12 months:
National Boards will accept test results from a maximum of two test sittings within a 12-month period. If you’re providing results from two sittings, the results from both sittings must meet the requirements of this standard.
Why This Change Happened
In August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs published changes to English language tests approved for migration purposes. These changes reflected recent score concordance research published by test providers. National Boards approved changes to the minimum scores required for registration purposes in consideration of this latest score concordance research and alignment with the Department of Home Affairs.
The updated standards are designed to maintain rigorous quality while making registration more accessible for qualified international nurses who possess strong communication skills.
