New 2025 Australia Immigration Changes to PTE Score (from Aug 7)
BREAKING: New 2025 Australia Immigration Changes to PTE Score Requirements
On August 6, 2025, the Department of Home Affairs Australia released major updates that will affect anyone applying for an Australian visa who needs to provide an English test score.
If you are planning your journey to Australia, whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, or applying from abroad, this is critical information you need to know right now.
Starting from August 7, 2025, the required scores for the PTE Academic test to prove your English proficiency (Superior, Proficient, or Competent) have been officially changed.
First, let me reassure you: if you have already taken your English exam before August 7, 2025, your score falls under the previous conditions and these changes do not affect you.
For everyone else preparing to take the test, let’s break down exactly what these new 2025 PTE changes are and, more importantly, what they mean for your strategy.
What Are the New 2025 PTE Score Changes for Australian Immigration?
The core of the 2025 Australia immigration changes revolves around a new distribution of PTE scores. While the IELTS requirements have remained the standard (e.g., 8 in each band for Superior English), the PTE scores have been adjusted.
Here is a clear breakdown of the old requirements versus the new ones, based on the official government instrument.
NEW 2025 PTE Changes in Score Requirements (Australia Immigration)
Is This Good or Bad News for PTE Test-Takers in Australia?
When students see changes like this, they often panic. But I’m here to tell you that these new PTE changes for 2025 are actually good news for most test-takers.
Why These 2025 PTE Changes Are a Positive Update
The sections where everybody struggles – Reading and Listening – are now much easier to pass. The new target scores of 70 in Reading and 69 in Listening for Superior English are far more achievable than the previous target of 79.
On the other hand, the sections where the score requirement has increased – Speaking and Writing – are the easiest sections to score high in.
Speaking is typically our students’ highest score, with many achieving 90. Reaching the new target of 88 is very manageable with the right fluency techniques.
Writing is still primarily computer-assessed and template-friendly (with some adjustments). With our proven new tested & proven strategies, scoring 85+ is a straightforward process.
This update essentially lowers the barrier on the hardest parts of the exam, making the path to 20 immigration points potentially smoother than before.
Our Strategy for the New 2025 PTE Changes
Changes can be scary, but don’t worry. At Dream English, we are already on top of this.
We have already started cracking the new tips, tricks, and strategies required to meet these new score targets and the new questions in PTE. We’ve been testing our methods on the official Pearson mock tests and, as you can see from our results, achieving these new score distributions is entirely possible.
After August 7, myself and our other trainers are already scheduled to take the Updated PTE Exam – and once again verify that the 90/90 is possible. We are committed to ensuring our students in Australia and around the world have the most up-to-date and effective preparation available.
Stay Ahead of the PTE Changes
This is a developing situation, and we are committed to being the first to bring you the new strategies you need to keep getting 90 in your PTE exam despite these updates.
Make sure to follow our blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on all immigration news and the latest PTE tips and tricks.
Ready to Master the New PTE Requirements?
If you are preparing for your exam and need a clear strategy to achieve these new scores, we are here to help. Our online coaching and practice platform are being updated with the latest techniques to target 88 in Speaking and 85 in Writing.
In the meantime, good luck with your preparation!
Alex:)
👉 Learn the NEW 2025 Strategies – check our Online PTE Coaching Packages
👉 For a FREE PTE Consultation – text our team on WhatsApp at: +61423058115
Subscribe to our YouTube & Watch this BRAN NEW Video on this subject:
1. Do these 2025 immigration changes affect my old PTE score?
No. If you took your PTE exam before August 7, 2025, your score is valid under the old requirements for the duration of its validity (usually 2-3 years).
2. What are the new PTE scores for a Skilled Visa (e.g., 189, 190) in Australia?
The requirements are set at a national level by the Department of Home Affairs. They are the same whether you are applying for a visa in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or any other part of Australia. You will need to meet the new score bands for Superior (20 points) or Proficient (10 points) English – see the table above in our post for more.
3. Is PTE still easier than IELTS after these changes?
Yes. In our expert opinion, PTE remains strategically easier. The fact that the most difficult sections for non-native speakers (Reading and Listening) now have lower requirements makes the PTE an even more attractive option for many visa applicants.
4. Can you still score 8 Band in PTE with the New 2025 Exam Changes?
Yes – absolutely! Although Speaking & Writing score requirements are higher, these sections are the easiest to score highly because of (mostly) computer-based scoring. Whereas in the past, PTE students always struggled in Reading & Listening the most – which now have lower requirements. At Dream English, we have already attempted the new exam with a 90 overall score (despite the changes).
