09 Jul 2026 · faizal pundaodaya
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500): English Requirements Explained for 2026
PTE Academic remains fully accepted for Australia's Subclass 500 student visa in 2026 — but the minimum score depends on your course level, and only in-person tests count.
If you're applying for an Australian student visa (Subclass 500), your English test score is one of the most important pieces of your application — and the requirements aren't quite as uniform as they first appear.
PTE Academic Is Accepted The Department of Home Affairs fully accepts PTE Academic for Subclass 500 applications in 2026. This is separate from the higher, per-skill score thresholds used for skilled migration visas — student visa requirements are generally lower, though they still vary by course and institution.
Typical Score Requirements For most standard university courses, expect a requirement in the range of PTE 50 (roughly equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall). That said, minimum scores vary significantly by institution and course level — competitive programs and postgraduate courses often set the bar higher than the department's baseline minimum, so always check directly with your chosen institution rather than assuming the general figure applies.
In-Person Testing Only As with other Australian visa categories, the Department of Home Affairs only accepts English tests taken in person at a secure test centre. Online or at-home test formats are not accepted for visa purposes, so booking a centre-based PTE Academic sitting is essential.
If Your Score Falls Short If your PTE score doesn't yet meet your course's requirement, one option is enrolling in an ELICOS program (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) — typically 10 to 20 weeks — alongside your main course, which can allow entry with a lower initial English score.
Test Validity Your test results need to be valid at the time of application, and some institutions will accept results up to two years old — though, again, this varies, so confirm directly with your institution.
Getting Ready Because the actual score you need depends on your specific course and institution, the most useful preparation is aiming comfortably above the general baseline rather than the exact minimum. PTE24's mock tests are scored the same way the real PTE Academic exam is assessed, which makes it easier to see whether you're tracking toward your specific target — not just a generic pass mark.