PTE Score for New Zealand 2026: Visa and University Minimums

Short answer: New Zealand does not set one PTE score. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) asks for a PTE Academic overall score of 29 for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) at skill level 3 to 5, and 58 for a skilled residence visa, with 36 for a partner or child aged 16 or older. Student entry is set by each university. Waikato, for example, asks for 50 for undergraduate courses and 58 for postgraduate study. The figures below come from INZ and Waikato's own pages, checked on 9 October 2026.

PTE score for a New Zealand work visa (AEWV)

The AEWV English rule applies to jobs at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 to 5. The table shows the principal applicant's minimum.

INZ's table for this visa gives one overall score and no separate skill minimums. Results must be from an in-person test and be no more than 2 years old when you apply. Check the job's skill level on the ANZSCO list before you book, because it decides whether the requirement applies.

PTE score for New Zealand PR (skilled residence)

Skilled residence visas include the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, the Work to Residence Visa and the Straight to Residence Visa. INZ says a higher standard applies here than for other residence visas.

The principal applicant cannot use the lessons option, so the 58 score is the one to plan for. Your partner's and child's scores are separate from yours.

PTE score for a New Zealand student visa

INZ's English requirement pages cover work and residence visas and do not list a PTE figure for the student visa. Entry English is set by the education provider, so the score depends on your course and university. Waikato's published table shows how that works in practice. Scores are PTE Academic taken in person at an approved centre. The University of Auckland, for comparison, asks for 50 overall for general undergraduate entry and 58 for postgraduate study (see its undergraduate and postgraduate English pages); see the New Zealand student visa guide. If you see a PTE figure of 36 in INZ's student visa paper guide, that relates to work rights for English-language study and is not a degree entry score. The separate 36 for a residence partner or child, above, is a different rule.

Waikato describes its postgraduate 58 as a general recommendation, and some programmes such as teaching and MPSOCS ask for more, so check your exact course. Other universities publish their own tables, so use this as a worked example and not a national rule. We have not verified PTE figures for other New Zealand universities.

PTE score for bachelor, masters and diploma after 12th

• Bachelor's degree: at Waikato, general undergraduate entry is 50 with no communicative skill below 42. Law and nursing are higher.
• Masters or other postgraduate study: at Waikato it is generally 58 with no communicative skill below 50. Some courses, such as teaching or social practice, ask for more.
• Diploma or foundation entry (for example after Class 12): at Waikato, a foundation certificate or International Diploma is 42 with no communicative skill below 36.

If you finish Class 12 and want a bachelor's degree, the 50 row is the one to check first. If your university offers a foundation route, the lower score may apply to that route, but confirm it with the institution before you book.

Is PTE accepted in New Zealand?

Yes, for these routes:

• INZ lists PTE Academic among accepted tests for the AEWV and for skilled residence visas.
• Universities such as Waikato accept PTE Academic for entry, provided the test is taken in person at an approved centre.

For a New Zealand student visa you also need a place at an approved education provider. The English score is only one part of that application.

Test rules that affect your result

• In person only: INZ does not accept at-home tests. Waikato does not accept the online Pearson PTE test.
• Age of the result: INZ needs a result no more than 2 years old when you apply. The Skilled Migrant Category page allows up to 5 years only for a person who holds an eligible full occupational registration; see the work and residence visa guide.
• Overall versus skills: INZ's work and residence tables use an overall score. Universities often add a minimum per communicative skill, so a high overall score can still fail if one skill is low.

Plan your score

• Check the exact figure on your target university's English page before you book.
• For the 29 or 58 INZ figures, match your job's skill level or your visa type first.
• If you are comparing with other tests, the PTE to IELTS converter gives an estimate. It is not an official equivalence for New Zealand.
• Use a PTE score calculator to estimate your result, and the PTE score chart to see how scores map to bands.
• Practise the skills a per-skill floor tests with the speaking practice hub and writing practice, then follow your estimates on the progress page.
• For the Australia comparison, see the PTE score for Australia PR guide and the Australia pillar.

Scores here are estimates for planning. Our tools do not replicate Pearson's scoring, and official score rules can change, so always check the source before you apply.