PTE Academic is recognised by governments, universities, and professional bodies across dozens of countries. Knowing exactly where it is accepted — and at what score — is essential before choosing it over IELTS or TOEFL.

Australia

PTE Academic is fully accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for virtually all visa categories:

  • Skilled migration (subclass 189, 190, 491): Minimum 65 overall with 65 in each of the four skills
  • Student visa (subclass 500): Typically 50–65 depending on the institution and course level
  • Partner visa (subclass 820/801): Not always required; check individual circumstances
  • Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482): Minimum 65 overall with 65 each

United Kingdom

PTE Academic was approved as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) by the Home Office in April 2023:

  • Student visa: Minimum score depends on the CEFR level required by your course (B1 or B2)
  • Skilled Worker visa: B1 English required — PTE score of approximately 36+
  • Graduate route: Already holds UK degree; no separate English test needed

Note: you may need to take the UKVI version of PTE Academic, not the standard version, for UK visa applications.

New Zealand

Immigration New Zealand accepts PTE Academic for most visa categories:

  • Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: Minimum 50 overall
  • Accredited Employer Work Visa: Minimum 36–50 depending on role
  • Student visa: Typically 42–58 depending on institution

Canada

For Canadian immigration (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs), PTE Core is required — not PTE Academic. PTE Academic is accepted by many Canadian universities for admissions. Check each university's specific requirements.

Ireland

PTE Academic is accepted by Irish universities for admissions purposes. For immigration to Ireland, check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) requirements — IELTS is more commonly specified for immigration routes.

United States

PTE Academic is accepted by over 300 US colleges and universities for admissions. The US does not have a national English requirement for immigration visas, so PTE is relevant primarily for university admissions rather than visa applications.

Singapore, UAE, and Other Markets

PTE Academic is accepted by universities across Singapore, the UAE, India, South Africa, and many other markets. For professional licensing (nursing, medicine, engineering) in GCC countries, IELTS or OET is often specifically required — verify with the relevant licensing authority.

Check Before You Book

Acceptance policies change. Always verify current requirements on the official government or institution website before booking your PTE exam. Use our free AI PTE Score Predictor to estimate your current score before investing in the real exam fee.

See also: PTE Score Requirements by Country, PTE vs IELTS, and What Is PTE Academic.