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AHPRA English requirements for nurses and midwives

For a test taken from 23 April 2026, AHPRA needs PTE Academic 63 overall with 76 in speaking, or IELTS Academic 7 overall with 6.5 in writing, and a minimum in each other skill (Ahpra, checked 17 October 2026).

By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated

Check your scores

Needs 63

Needs 58

Needs 59

Needs 76

Needs 60

Enter your scores to check them against AHPRA registration.

Your test must be from the 2 years before you apply for registration. Some recent work or study lets you use an older one. Ahpra

Scores from Ahpra, Accepted English language tests, checked 17 October 2026.

Not immigration advice. This is general information. Visas, registration and skills assessments have other rules too, so check the official page before you apply. Only a registered migration agent or a lawyer can give you immigration advice.

What PTE and IELTS scores does AHPRA need?

For a test taken from 23 April 2026. AHPRA checks the overall score and each skill. IELTS General Training is not accepted.

For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026.

AHPRA registration: minimum English test scores for a test taken on or after 23 April 2026

  • PTE Academic

    Overall
    63
    Listening
    58
    Reading
    59
    Writing
    60
    Speaking
    76

  • IELTS Academic

    Overall
    7
    Listening
    7
    Reading
    7
    Writing
    6.5
    Speaking
    7
4 other tests: TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Cambridge C2 Proficiency

  • TOEFL iBT

    Overall
    91
    Listening
    22
    Reading
    22
    Writing
    23
    Speaking
    24

  • OET

    Overall
    None
    Listening
    350
    Reading
    360
    Writing
    350
    Speaking
    360

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced

    Overall
    178
    Listening
    175
    Reading
    179
    Writing
    180
    Speaking
    194

  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency

    Overall
    185
    Listening
    185
    Reading
    185
    Writing
    176
    Speaking
    185

IELTS General Training Not acceptedCELPIP General Not acceptedLANGUAGECERT Academic Not acceptedMichigan English Test Not accepted

To combine two sittings, each one needs the overall score, and no skill can be under the floor in either sitting.

Source: Ahpra, Accepted English language tests. Checked 17 October 2026.

What were the scores before 23 April 2026?

A test taken up to 22 April 2026 is checked against the older table. PTE needed more in listening, reading and speaking, and less in writing.

For tests taken on or before 22 April 2026.

AHPRA registration: minimum English test scores for a test taken on or before 22 April 2026

  • PTE Academic

    Overall
    66
    Listening
    66
    Reading
    66
    Writing
    56
    Speaking
    66

  • IELTS Academic

    Overall
    7
    Listening
    7
    Reading
    7
    Writing
    6.5
    Speaking
    7
4 other tests: TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Cambridge C2 Proficiency

  • TOEFL iBT

    Overall
    94
    Listening
    24
    Reading
    24
    Writing
    24
    Speaking
    23

  • OET

    Overall
    None
    Listening
    B
    Reading
    B
    Writing
    C+
    Speaking
    B

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced

    Overall
    185
    Listening
    185
    Reading
    185
    Writing
    176
    Speaking
    185

  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency

    Overall
    185
    Listening
    185
    Reading
    185
    Writing
    176
    Speaking
    185

IELTS General Training Not acceptedCELPIP General Not acceptedLANGUAGECERT Academic Not acceptedMichigan English Test Not accepted

If you combine an older test with a newer one, the first must meet these scores and the second the new ones.

Source: Ahpra, Accepted English language tests. Checked 17 October 2026.

Can I combine two sittings?

Yes, two sittings of the same test within 12 months. Each sitting needs the overall score, and no skill can be under these floors in either sitting.

AHPRA registration, two sittings combined: the overall needed in each sitting and the lowest score allowed in each skill, for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026

  • PTE Academic

    Overall in each sitting
    63
    Listening
    53
    Reading
    54
    Writing
    60
    Speaking
    66

  • IELTS Academic

    Overall in each sitting
    7
    Listening
    6.5
    Reading
    6.5
    Writing
    6.5
    Speaking
    6.5

  • TOEFL iBT

    Overall in each sitting
    91
    Listening
    19
    Reading
    19
    Writing
    23
    Speaking
    22

  • OET

    Overall in each sitting
    Not stated
    Listening
    320
    Reading
    340
    Writing
    350
    Speaking
    350

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced

    Overall in each sitting
    Not stated
    Listening
    168
    Reading
    168
    Writing
    180
    Speaking
    187

  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency

    Overall in each sitting
    Not stated
    Listening
    176
    Reading
    176
    Writing
    176
    Speaking
    176

You also need the full minimum in each skill across the two sittings. You cannot mix results from two different tests.

Source: Ahpra, Accepted English language tests. Checked 17 October 2026.

Is it the same for other health professions?

Yes. Every National Board except one uses the same English tests and scores as the Nursing and Midwifery Board.

One standard

Every National Board except the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board uses these scores. Ahpra

Doctors

The Medical Board also accepts the NZREX and PLAB tests. Ahpra

Two years

Your test must be from the 2 years before you apply for registration. Some recent work or study lets you use an older one. Ahpra

No tests at home

Tests taken at home are not accepted. Ahpra

What English does Anmac ask for?

Anmac assesses nurses and midwives for migration. Its page still prints AHPRA's older scores, with no test date, so ask Anmac before you rely on them. See every skills assessment.

Anmac full skills assessment: English test scores as Anmac prints them

  • PTE Academic

    Overall
    66
    Listening
    66
    Reading
    66
    Writing
    56
    Speaking
    66

  • IELTS Academic

    Overall
    7
    Listening
    7
    Reading
    7
    Writing
    6.5
    Speaking
    7
4 other tests: TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Cambridge C2 Proficiency

  • TOEFL iBT

    Overall
    94
    Listening
    24
    Reading
    24
    Writing
    24
    Speaking
    23

  • OET

    Overall
    None
    Listening
    B
    Reading
    B
    Writing
    C+
    Speaking
    B

  • Cambridge C1 Advanced

    Overall
    185
    Listening
    185
    Reading
    185
    Writing
    176
    Speaking
    185

  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency

    Overall
    185
    Listening
    185
    Reading
    185
    Writing
    176
    Speaking
    185

Anmac prints these scores with no test date. They are AHPRA's older scores, for tests up to 22 April 2026.

Source: Anmac, Full skills assessment. Checked 17 October 2026.

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Common questions

Did the AHPRA PTE score change in 2026?

Yes. For a PTE test taken from 23 April 2026 you need 63 overall, with 58, 59, 60 and 76. For a test taken up to 22 April 2026 it was 66 overall, with 66 in listening, reading and speaking and 56 in writing. The IELTS scores did not change.

Can I combine two PTE tests?

Yes, two sittings within 12 months. Each sitting needs 63 overall, and no skill can be under 53 in listening, 54 in reading, 60 in writing and 66 in speaking in either sitting. You cannot mix two different tests.

Is IELTS General Training accepted?

No. AHPRA takes IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.

How long is my result valid?

AHPRA accepts a result from the 2 years before you apply for registration. If you have worked as a registered health practitioner, or studied in an approved program, without a break since the test, you may be able to use an older result.

Is it the same for doctors and pharmacists?

Yes. Every National Board except the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board uses the same tests and scores. Doctors can also use NZREX or the PLAB test.

Do I need English for an Anmac skills assessment?

For a full skills assessment, yes. Anmac's page still prints AHPRA's older PTE scores: 66 overall, 66 in listening, reading and speaking, and 56 in writing. A Modified Skills Assessment needs no English test.

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