PTE for New Zealand: what score you need and why

Yes. PTE Academic is accepted by Immigration New Zealand for most visa categories that require an English language test, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, and work-to-residence pathways. It is also accepted by New Zealand universities and institutes for student visas.

For a job at ANZSCO (or NOL) skill level 3, 4 or 5, you need PTE Academic overall 29 or more, with no per-skill minimum. A job at skill level 1 or 2 has no English language requirement for the AEWV. The test must be no more than 2 years old when you apply and taken at a test centre. Your employer may still ask for a higher English standard in the job offer.

Nothing official. 'Competent', 'Proficient' and 'Superior' are Australian Department of Home Affairs levels. Immigration New Zealand sets one overall PTE Academic score per visa instead: 29 for an AEWV job at skill level 3 to 5, 58 for a skilled residence principal applicant, and 36 for a partner or dependent child aged 16 or over. None of them has a per-skill minimum, and English earns no points.

Yes. PTE Academic is fully accepted by Immigration NZ as an alternative to IELTS. Both tests demonstrate the same English competency levels. If you find the computer-delivered PTE format suits you better than the IELTS examiner-based speaking interview, PTE Academic is a valid and equivalent choice for New Zealand applications.

Immigration New Zealand accepts a result that is no more than 2 years old at the time you apply. The date that counts is your application date, not the date the visa is decided. The test must also be taken in person at a test centre: at-home tests are not accepted.

Requirements vary by university and program. As a general guide: most bachelor's degree programs require PTE Academic 50–58 overall; postgraduate programs typically require 58–65 overall; some competitive programs require 65–75. Always check the specific English language requirements on your university's admissions page, as these are set by the institution, not by Immigration NZ.

The student visa itself does not set a separate English requirement: Immigration NZ accepts the offer letter from a New Zealand institution as evidence you meet their English standard. However, the institution requires PTE Academic (or another accepted test) before issuing the offer. So the English test is a prerequisite for admission, which then enables the student visa application.

Yes for the English part. The Skilled Migrant Category asks the principal applicant for PTE Academic overall 58 or more, with no per-skill minimum, so 65 clears it. English is a minimum requirement, not a points factor: a higher score earns no extra points. Your points come from other factors such as occupational registration, income, qualifications and New Zealand work experience.

Yes. PTE Academic test centres are available in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. You can register for a test date at Pearson's official website. Some centres have seats at short notice. Pearson says results usually arrive within two days, and can take up to five working days.

PTE Academic UKVI is the same test as PTE Academic, but taken at an approved test centre and reported in a way that meets UK Home Office requirements. New Zealand visas require standard PTE Academic, so you do not need to book the UKVI version. The UKVI version costs more and is only necessary if you are also applying for UK visas that require a UKVI-approved test.