
Australia · Canberra
PTE score for Australian National University
Australian National University accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 64 overall for undergraduate and 64 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums too (see below).
Last verified 2026-10-14. Source: English language admission requirements: ANU Policy Library
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
64
overall minimum
For study commencing before 1 January 2027. From 1 January 2027: 64 overall with 60 in each skill. PTE Academic Online not accepted.
Postgraduate
64
overall minimum
Unspecified postgraduate coursework programs, study commencing before 1 January 2027. From 1 January 2027: 64 overall with 60 in each skill.
Visa note: Australian student visa (subclass 500): PTE Academic 47 overall for a test taken on or after 7 August 2025, or 39 if your course is packaged with at least 10 weeks of English (ELICOS) or is a foundation or pathway program, and 31 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. No per-skill minimum. For a test taken before 7 August 2025: 50, 42 and 36. This is set by the Australian government (LIN 25/090), not the university.
Requirements are set by Australian National University and can change. Always verify at the English language admission requirements: ANU Policy Library before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
Australian National University sets different PTE score thresholds depending on your program. The table below lists the most common bands; always confirm the exact requirement for your intended course.
| Band / Level | Overall | Each skill | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (study starting before 1 Jan 2027) | 64 | 55+ | All undergraduate and unspecified postgraduate coursework programs |
| Standard (study starting from 1 Jan 2027) | 64 | 60+ | All undergraduate and unspecified postgraduate coursework programs |
| Medicine | 70 | 60+ | Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) |
| Clinical Psychology | 70 | 65+ | Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Professional PsychologyNote: The 65 per skill can be met across two sittings in six months if overall is 75 on both and no score is below 58. |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the ANU Programs & Courses and select your intended program.
What if your score is below the requirement?
A PTE score that is 2 to 5 points below the requirement is almost always a single-skill problem. One weak skill, commonly Writing or Speaking, pulls the overall score below the threshold while the other three are already sufficient.
The fastest path to closing that gap is identifying which skill is the bottleneck, then drilling it specifically. A free 10-minute diagnostic on this site identifies your weakest skill from your response patterns: no guessing, no wasted prep time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Australian National University in Canberra, Australia accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 64 overall with no skill below 55, and for postgraduate programs 64 overall with no skill below 55.
For undergraduate entry at Australian National University, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 64 with no skill below 55. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 64 overall with no skill below 55. Unspecified postgraduate coursework programs, study commencing before 1 January 2027. From 1 January 2027: 64 overall with 60 in each skill. Always confirm with Australian National University directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at Australian National University require a PTE Academic overall score of 64 with no skill below 55. Unspecified postgraduate coursework programs, study commencing before 1 January 2027. From 1 January 2027: 64 overall with 60 in each skill.
Australian student visa (subclass 500): PTE Academic 47 overall for a test taken on or after 7 August 2025, or 39 if your course is packaged with at least 10 weeks of English (ELICOS) or is a foundation or pathway program, and 31 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. No per-skill minimum. For a test taken before 7 August 2025: 50, 42 and 36. This is set by the Australian government (LIN 25/090), not the university.
It depends on the course, because Australian National University sets its PTE bar by program. Its lowest listed band is 64 overall (All undergraduate and unspecified postgraduate coursework programs) and its highest is 70 overall (Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Professional Psychology). So a score below one course's bar can still meet another's. If you are below the band for the course you want, either resit PTE Academic after work on your weakest skill, since one low skill can pull your overall down (and fail any per-skill minimum), or ask Australian National University whether it offers an English pathway program. Check the band for your exact course on Australian National University's English language requirements page.
Neither is easier in general: Australian National University accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS, and what matters is clearing its number for your course, for example 64 overall (no skill below 55) for most undergraduate programs and 64 overall (no skill below 55) for most postgraduate ones. PTE Academic is computer-delivered and scored by AI, and since August 2025 a human expert also reviews the content of seven task types; IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview. If a recorded format suits you better than an interview, PTE may be the easier fit. A free PTE mock shows where you stand against Australian National University's bar.
Ready to reach the Australian National University requirement?
Take a free full-length PTE mock test. Get your predicted score across all four skills with a personalised study plan.
Take a free mock test