PTE and IELTS scores for the 186 visa

The 186 visa needs Competent English: PTE Academic 47, 48, 51 and 54 in listening, reading, writing and speaking, or IELTS 6 in each skill, from results issued in the last 3 years (Home Affairs, checked 16 October 2026).

By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated October 2026

Check your scores

Your test

Overall

Not needed for the 186 visa

Listening

Needs 47

Reading

Needs 48

Speaking

Needs 54

Writing

Needs 51

Enter your scores to check them against the 186 visa.

Your results must be issued in the 3 years before you apply, and you must have them before you lodge. Home Affairs

Scores from Home Affairs, Competent English, checked 16 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 the 186 visa need?

The 186 visa needs Competent English. Home Affairs checks each skill on its own, and there is no overall score.

For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.

PTE Academic
Listening
47
Reading
48
Writing
51
Speaking
54
IELTS Academic
Listening
6
Reading
6
Writing
6
Speaking
6
IELTS General Training
Listening
6
Reading
6
Writing
6
Speaking
6

Competent English, for the 186 visa: minimum English test scores for a test taken on or after 7 August 2025
Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
PTE Academic	47	48	51	54
IELTS Academic	6	6	6	6
IELTS General Training	6	6	6	6

6 other tests: TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and Michigan English Test

TOEFL iBT
Listening
16
Reading
16
Writing
19
Speaking
19
OET
Listening
290
Reading
310
Writing
290
Speaking
330
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Listening
163
Reading
163
Writing
170
Speaking
179
CELPIP General
Listening
7
Reading
7
Writing
7
Speaking
7
LANGUAGECERT Academic
Listening
57
Reading
60
Writing
64
Speaking
70
Michigan English Test
Listening
56
Reading
55
Writing
57
Speaking
48

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
TOEFL iBT	16	16	19	19
OET	290	310	290	330
Cambridge C1 Advanced	163	163	170	179
CELPIP General	7	7	7	7
LANGUAGECERT Academic	57	60	64	70
Michigan English Test	56	55	57	48

Source: Home Affairs, Competent English. Checked 16 October 2026.

What if I took the test before 7 August 2025?

An older test is checked against the older Competent English table. For the 186, its results must still be issued in the 3 years before you apply.

For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025.

PTE Academic
Listening
50
Reading
50
Writing
50
Speaking
50
IELTS (Academic or General Training)
Listening
6
Reading
6
Writing
6
Speaking
6

Competent English, for the 186 visa: minimum English test scores for a test taken on or before 6 August 2025
Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
PTE Academic	50	50	50	50
IELTS (Academic or General Training)	6	6	6	6

3 other tests: TOEFL iBT, OET and Cambridge C1 Advanced

TOEFL iBT
Listening
12
Reading
13
Writing
21
Speaking
21
OET
Listening
B
Reading
B
Writing
B
Speaking
B
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Listening
169
Reading
169
Writing
169
Speaking
169

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
TOEFL iBT	12	13	21	21
OET	B	B	B	B
Cambridge C1 Advanced	169	169	169	169

Source: Home Affairs, Competent English. Checked 16 October 2026.

Which 186 streams need English?

Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition both need Competent English. The Labour Agreement stream follows your employer's agreement.

Direct Entry

You need at least Competent English, from results issued in the 3 years before you apply. Home Affairs

Temporary Residence Transition

The Temporary Residence Transition stream has had no exemption from the English rule since 16 November 2019. Home Affairs

Labour Agreement

You need English suitable for the job. Your labour agreement says what that is. Home Affairs

Family members

Family members aged 18 or older need at least Functional English, or you pay a second instalment of the visa charge. Home Affairs

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常见问题

Is 186 the same as Competent English?

Yes. The Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams both need at least Competent English, the same level the 189, 190 and 491 visas ask for.

Do I need my result before I apply?

Yes. For the 186 visa you must receive your test results before you lodge, and they cannot be issued more than 3 years before you apply.

Is there an exemption for TRT?

No. The Temporary Residence Transition stream has had no exemption from the English rule since 16 November 2019.

What English do my family members need?

Family members aged 18 or older should show at least Functional English, such as PTE Academic 24 overall or IELTS 4.5 overall. If they can't, you pay a second instalment of the visa charge.

Does Proficient English help with a 186?

The 186 page asks for at least Competent English and gives no points for a higher level. The 186 has no points test.

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