Quick Answer: PTE Academic costs $395–$420 AUD in Australia (depending on your state and test centre), while IELTS costs $370–$415 AUD. For permanent residency through the skilled migration pathway, you typically need a minimum PTE score of 65 across all four communicative skills for Competent English, or 79 in each skill (with specific sub-scores) for Superior English — worth an extra 10 migration points.
At VJ Consulting and Education, we regularly guide clients through the maze of English test requirements and associated costs for Australian visa applications.
How much does PTE cost in Australia?
PTE Academic is priced at approximately $395–$420 AUD for a standard sitting, with minor variation between test centres and states. The exam is delivered by Pearson and booked through the PTE website; there is no separate "registration fee" on top of the test fee. Among the applicants VJCE has assisted, choosing the right sitting date and location early often proves critical, as popular centres book out weeks in advance and last-minute registrations can push costs higher.
| PTE Product | Approximate Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic (standard) | $395–$420 |
| PTE Academic UKVI | $420–$450 |
| PTE Core (Canada pathway) | $395–$415 |
| Late rescheduling fee (within 14 days) | $90 |
| Cancellation fee (within 14 days) | $90 |
Tip: Booking at least 14 days in advance avoids the rescheduling and cancellation penalties. Results are typically available within 48 hours of sitting the exam — a significant advantage over IELTS.
One of our clients, a software engineer who received his 189 visa in 2025, noted that the quick turnaround was a deciding factor in choosing PTE over IELTS when he was working to a tight EOI lodgement deadline.
→ Deep Dive: PTE Score Requirements for Australian Visas
How much does IELTS cost?
IELTS (Academic or General Training) costs between $370 and $415 AUD in Australia, depending on the test centre and state. The Academic module is required for skilled migration and most university applications; General Training is accepted for some employer-sponsored visa pathways.
| IELTS Module | Approximate Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | $385–$415 |
| IELTS General Training | $370–$405 |
| IELTS on Computer | $385–$415 |
| IELTS for UKVI | $400–$430 |
| Result rescheduling / recheck (per skill) | $20–$25 |
Results are delivered within 13 calendar days for paper-based tests and 3–5 days for computer-delivered tests. Unlike PTE, IELTS does not offer an auto-score report — you receive a single overall band and four individual band scores.
Tip: If you are applying for a Subclass 482 visa and your occupation requires registration (e.g., nursing or teaching), verify with the relevant registration body whether they accept IELTS Academic or General Training — requirements differ.
The cost gap between PTE and IELTS is relatively small (often under $30 AUD), so the choice should be driven by which format favours your skill set, not price.
What is 7.5 IELTS equivalent in PTE?
An IELTS band of 7.5 is broadly equivalent to a PTE Academic score of 79 in each of the four communicative skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). This is the threshold that matters most for Australian skilled migration: it is the benchmark for Superior English, which earns you 20 points on the skilled migration points test — compared to 10 points for Competent English. VJ Consulting agents generally advise clients to confirm the precise equivalency table accepted by their specific visa stream, as benchmark mappings can vary slightly between subclasses and assessment authorities.
| IELTS Overall Band | PTE Academic Score (per skill) | Migration English Level | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 50 | Competent English | 0 (minimum) |
| 7.0 | 65 | Proficient English | 10 |
| 8.0 | 79 | Superior English | 20 |
"I took IELTS approximately a month before [PTE] and got 9, 9, 7.5, 7.5 (R, L, S, W). As I wanted the score for superior English, I thought of taking PTE as I heard it's easier than IELTS." — A recent client who went through the skilled migration pathway and achieved 90 in all PTE skills on his first attempt
Note that the Department of Home Affairs updated Superior English PTE thresholds for tests taken on or after 7 August (recent cycle): the sub-score benchmarks moved to Listening 69, Reading 70, Writing 85, and Speaking 88 for that specific scoring framework. Always verify the current thresholds against the Department of Home Affairs guidance at the time of sitting.
→ Deep Dive: PTE Score Requirements for Australian Visas
What PTE score do I need for PR?
The minimum PTE score for permanent residence depends on which visa pathway you are using and what level of English is required.
| English Level | Visa Pathway | PTE Score Required (each skill) |
|---|---|---|
| Competent English | 189, 190, 491 (minimum) | 50 |
| Proficient English | 186 (TRT stream), 494 | 65 |
| Superior English | 189/190/491 (for 20 points) | 79 (or updated sub-scores post-Aug 7) |
For the Subclass 191 permanent residence (skilled regional) visa, Competent English (50 per skill) is the minimum, but applicants with Superior English will have already earned additional points at the 491 stage that contributed to their invitation.
"Superior English: 20 [points]… Age: 25 points." — An accountant whose 190 (NSW) case our team handled, noting that the 20-point Superior English contribution was central to reaching invitation threshold
Multiple clients we have assisted have deliberately re-sat PTE specifically to move from Proficient to Superior English — a 10-point increase in migration score that can be the difference between receiving an invitation within one program year or waiting indefinitely. The re-sit costs roughly $400 AUD, which is a modest investment against the value of an earlier PR outcome.
Tip: If your IELTS scores are split — for example, 9 in Reading and Listening but 7.5 in Speaking and Writing — PTE may yield a higher aggregate result. Several clients who struggled with IELTS Speaking have found PTE's AI-scored speaking format more consistent and predictable.
→ Deep Dive: PTE Score Requirements for Australian Visas
The costs and score thresholds above reflect information current at the time of writing. Test fees are set by Pearson and the British Council respectively and can change without notice. Score requirements for Australian visas are set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Need help working out which English test to sit — and what score you need before lodging your EOI? Our MARA-registered agents at VJ Consulting review your full points profile and advise on the fastest pathway to an invitation. Book a consultation to get started.
