Last updated: 7 November 2026
Quick answer: For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, AHPRA asks for IELTS Academic 7 overall (Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7), PTE Academic 63 overall (Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76), or OET 350 / 360 / 350 / 360 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
This guide covers English test scores only. It does not cover OPRA exam marks. For those, read our main guide on OPRA exam passing marks explained.
What Is the AHPRA English Language Skills Standard?
AHPRA and the National Boards, including the Pharmacy Board of Australia, require every applicant for initial registration to show they can communicate safely in English. This is called the English language skills registration standard.
Some applicants meet the standard through education taught and assessed in English. Applicants who cannot meet it through the education pathways use the English language test pathway. This guide explains the test pathway for overseas-trained pharmacists.
The scores below apply to the test pathway. Nursing and midwifery has a separate standard, so always check the standard for your own profession.
Which English Tests Does AHPRA Accept?
AHPRA accepts these tests:
- IELTS Academic
- OET (any profession-specific test)
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge C1 Advanced and Cambridge C2 Proficiency
Most overseas pharmacists choose IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or OET, so those three are the focus of this guide.
What English Test Scores Are Required for AHPRA Registration?
These minimum scores apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026.
- Listening 7
- Reading 7
- Writing 6.5
- Speaking 7
- Listening 58
- Reading 59
- Writing 60
- Speaking 76
- Listening 350
- Reading 360
- Writing 350
- Speaking 360
Two points to notice. First, PTE Academic Speaking (76) is much higher than the other PTE skills, so plan your speaking practice early. Second, OET no longer uses letter grades for these tests. AHPRA now uses numerical scores.
Other accepted tests (taken on or after 23 April 2026)
| Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 91 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 178 | 175 | 179 | 180 | 194 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 185 | 185 | 185 | 176 | 185 |
Source: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills/English-language-skills-registration-standard.aspx
What Changed on 23 April 2026?
AHPRA introduced a new set of minimum scores for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026. You can read more in our update on the AHPRA English requirements updated from 23 April 2026. The table compares the old and new requirements for the three main tests.
| Test | Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 | Tests taken on or after 23 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall 7. Listening 7, Reading 7, Speaking 7, Writing 6.5 | Overall 7. Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7 (no change) |
| PTE Academic | Overall 66. Listening 66, Reading 66, Speaking 66, Writing 56 | Overall 63. Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76 |
| OET | Listening B, Reading B, Speaking B, Writing C+ | Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350, Speaking 360 |
If your first test was taken on or before 22 April 2026 and your second on or after 23 April 2026, the first test must meet the earlier scores and the second must meet the new scores.
Can You Combine Two Test Sittings?
Yes. AHPRA accepts results from one sitting, or from a maximum of two sittings taken within 12 months of each other.
- Each sitting must cover all four components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- Across the two sittings, each component must meet the minimum score.
- No component in either sitting can fall below the floor score shown below.
- Results cannot be combined across different test providers. For example, you cannot mix IELTS and PTE results.
- IELTS offers One Skill Retake. You can retake one component within 60 days. It does not count as an additional sitting, but the tests must all fall within a 12-month period.
| Test (taken on or after 23 April 2026) | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | No component below 6.5 | |||
| PTE Academic | 53 | 54 | 60 | 66 |
| OET | 320 | 340 | 350 | 350 |
How Long Are English Test Results Valid for AHPRA?
AHPRA accepts results from a test taken within the two years before the date you lodge your application.
Older results can be accepted only if you have worked continuously in a relevant role, or been continuously enrolled in an approved program, since the test, and you lodge within 12 months of finishing that work or study.
What Are the Test Format and Test Center Rules?
- IELTS Academic: paper or computer, at a test center only.
- PTE Academic: computer, at a test center only.
- OET: paper or computer, at a testing center. The computer-based test has one remote-proctored element that AHPRA has assessed as acceptable.
- TOEFL iBT: computer, at a test center only. Select “Taking TOEFL for Australia” when booking.
- Not accepted: at-home versions, “indicative” versions, and any test with remote proctoring, except the OET computer-based test described above.
How Should You Choose Between IELTS, PTE and OET?
The tips below are Elite Expertise guidance, based on the official scores above.
- Look at the hardest score first. For PTE Academic it is Speaking (76). For OET it is Reading and Speaking (360). For IELTS it is 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking.
- Take a practice test in each format and compare your results against the AHPRA minimums.
- Remember that every component must meet the minimum. A strong score in one skill cannot make up for a weak one.
- Book a test center seat early and check the validity period, so your result is still valid when you lodge your application.
AHPRA does not endorse any specific coaching provider or study material.
How Can Elite Expertise Help You Prepare?
Elite Expertise is an independent education provider. We support overseas-trained pharmacists with exam preparation and guidance for their Australian registration journey. We are not part of AHPRA, and we do not make registration decisions.
We cannot guarantee a test result, and the registration decision is always made by AHPRA and the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Conclusion
AHPRA accepts IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and OET for the English language test pathway. For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, IELTS stays at 7 overall with 6.5 in Writing, PTE Academic needs 63 overall with a high Speaking score of 76, and OET uses numerical scores of 350 / 360 / 350 / 360.
Check the date of your test, because older results are assessed against the earlier scores. Take the test at an approved test center, keep within the two-year validity period, and confirm the current scores on the AHPRA website before you book.
Key Takeaways
- AHPRA accepts IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency.
- IELTS Academic (on or after 23 April 2026): overall 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.
- PTE Academic (on or after 23 April 2026): overall 63, Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76.
- OET (on or after 23 April 2026): Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350, Speaking 360. There is no overall score.
- Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 use the earlier scores, including OET letter grades.
- You can use one sitting, or a maximum of two sittings within 12 months, with the same test provider.
- Results must be from the two years before you lodge your application, with limited exceptions.
- Tests must be taken at an approved test center. At-home versions are not accepted.
FAQs
1. What IELTS score is required for AHPRA registration?
For IELTS Academic taken on or after 23 April 2026, you need an overall score of 7, with Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5 and Speaking 7.
2. What PTE Academic score is required for AHPRA registration?
For PTE Academic taken on or after 23 April 2026, you need an overall score of 63, with Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60 and Speaking 76.
3. What OET score is required for AHPRA registration?
For OET taken on or after 23 April 2026, you need Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350 and Speaking 360. There is no overall score requirement.
4. Did the AHPRA English language requirements change in 2026?
Yes. New minimum scores apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026. IELTS scores stayed the same, PTE Academic scores changed, and OET moved from letter grades to numerical scores.
5. Which scores apply if I took my test before 23 April 2026?
Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are assessed against the earlier scores. For IELTS this is 7 overall with 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. For PTE Academic it is 66 overall with 66 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 56 in Writing. For OET it is B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C+ in Writing.
6. Can I combine two test sittings for AHPRA?
Yes. AHPRA accepts a maximum of two sittings taken within 12 months. Each sitting must cover all four components, results cannot be combined across different test providers, and no component in either sitting can fall below the stated floor.
7. How long are English test results valid for AHPRA?
Results are accepted if the test was taken within the two years before you lodge your application. Older results can be accepted only in limited cases involving continuous work or study.
8. Can I take the English test at home for AHPRA?
No. AHPRA does not accept at-home or indicative versions, or tests with remote proctoring. The one exception is the OET computer-based test, which has one remote-proctored element that AHPRA has assessed as acceptable.
9. Are OET letter grades still used for AHPRA?
Letter grades apply only to OET tests taken on or before 22 April 2026. For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, AHPRA uses numerical scores.
10. Which English tests does AHPRA accept?
AHPRA accepts IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced and Cambridge C2 Proficiency, taken at an approved test center.
