PTE Requirement for Masters in Australia 2026 (Scores)

The PTE requirement for masters in Australia depends on the university and course, but the official pages we checked sit at about 60 to 65 overall, with a minimum of 52 to 54 in every section. Victoria University asks for 60 overall with no section below 52. UNSW lists 64 or 65 overall with at least 54 in each section for most postgraduate coursework programs. Your course page decides the final number, so check its English block before you book a test.

PTE score for masters in Australia at a glance

The table uses only figures published on the official university pages listed in the sources. Each row names the program group, so find which one your course belongs to.

UNSW lists exceptions on its English language requirements page. Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) needs 73 overall with 65 in writing and reading and 79 in listening and speaking. Master of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic) and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology need 65 overall with 65 in each section. Check the UNSW page for your exact program.

University of Sydney accepts PTE Academic, but its page converts IELTS requirements to PTE through a separate concordance table instead of listing a PTE minimum. Check that table or your course page for the figure.

UNSW also has an English waiver route with lower scores for some applicants. That is a separate process from standard entry, so do not read waiver figures as the masters entry score.

How universities set PTE requirements

Most Australian universities write the requirement in two parts:

1. An overall score, such as 60 or 65.
2. A floor for each section, such as 54 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Both must be met. A high overall score does not help if one section is below the floor. Many applicants miss on writing or speaking, so prepare all four skills instead of only the easiest one.

Victoria University asks for a test taken no more than two years before the course starts. Other universities may use a similar rule, so check yours.

Typical PTE ranges by study level

Pearson publishes typical minimums for each level and notes that institutions set their own. Treat these as a guide.

For a masters, the postgraduate range is the one to plan around. Both universities in the table above fall inside it.

Is PTE 50 or 55 accepted for masters?

On the official pages we read, 50 is below the masters entry score: Victoria University asks for 60 and UNSW asks for 64 to 65 for postgraduate coursework. Fifty is better known as an Australian visa figure, which is a different rule (see below).

We could not confirm a PTE 55 masters rule on any official page we read, so we do not list one. If your university's table shows 55, use that figure.

Australian visa English is a separate rule

The Department of Home Affairs sets its own English levels for visas. For PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, its Competent English level asks for at least 47 in listening, 48 in reading, 51 in writing and 54 in speaking. For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, the level was 50 in each of the four skills. Home Affairs notes that the test shares its name with the earlier version but the scores are different.

The student visa minimum is a further rule that depends on the course and any ELICOS or Foundation program attached to it. See the PTE score for an Australia student visa guide for the visa figures, or the Australia PTE overview for all visa types.

The university score and the visa score are not the same. Meet the higher of the two.

How to check your masters course in five steps

1. Search your exact course name on the university website.
2. Open the English language requirements section on the course page or the general English page.
3. Find the PTE Academic row that matches your program group.
4. Note the overall score and the minimum in each section.
5. Check the test validity period against your intended start date.

If you cannot find the row, email the admissions team and quote the course code.

To see where your practice results stand against these figures, use the PTE score chart and a full PTE mock test.

How to reach 60 or 65 overall

Start with the skill that is furthest below the section floor. Our practice pages cover PTE Academic task types with original questions:

• Writing: write an essay and summarize a written text.
• Speaking: practice read aloud and describe an image.
• Estimate your current level with the PTE score calculator. Its output is an estimate, not an official score.

For a study plan, see PTE preparation. To see how a university target compares with a general pass mark, read the PTE passing score guide.

Sources and last updated

This page was last updated on 9 October 2026. The figures come from the official university and government pages listed in the sources and were read on that date. Entry requirements change, so confirm the figure on your university's page before you apply. This site is not affiliated with Pearson.