Short answer. To register with Ahpra (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) you must meet the minimum score on one of five accepted English tests. The scores changed on 23 April 2026: PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 minimums came down, OET moved to a numeric scale, and IELTS stayed the same. The single most common mistake is believing IELTS requires 7.0 in all four bands. It does not — Writing is 6.5.
Last verified against Ahpra on 11 September 2026. Primary source: Ahpra — Accepted English language tests. Always check the Ahpra page before you book a test; we update this page when Ahpra changes it.
Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026
| Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| OET | — | 350 | 360 | 350 | 360 |
| PTE Academic | 63 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 91 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 178 | 175 | 179 | 180 | 194 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 185 | 185 | 185 | 176 | 185 |
Minimum scores for tests taken on or before 22 April 2026
| Test | Overall | Component minimums |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | Listening, Reading, Speaking 7.0; Writing 6.5 |
| OET | — | Listening, Reading, Speaking grade B; Writing C+ |
| PTE Academic | 66 | Listening, Reading, Speaking 66; Writing 56 |
| TOEFL iBT | 94 | Listening 24, Reading 24, Writing 24, Speaking 23 |
| Cambridge C1 / C2 | 185 | Listening, Reading, Speaking 185; Writing 176 |
What actually changed, and what it means for you
- PTE Academic got easier overall and harder in one place. The overall requirement dropped from 66 to 63, but Speaking rose to 76 — by far the highest single component requirement of any accepted test. If Speaking is your weak skill, PTE is now the wrong choice.
- OET switched from letter grades to a numeric scale. 350 for Listening and Writing, 360 for Reading and Speaking. Old B-grade advice found in forums and coaching blogs no longer maps cleanly.
- IELTS did not change. 7.0 overall, 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, 6.5 in Writing. For candidates who speak well but write less confidently, IELTS remains the most forgiving option.
- TOEFL iBT dropped from 94 to 91, and Cambridge C1 Advanced from 185 to 178.
- Ahpra states the new scores were set in line with score concordance research and Department of Home Affairs standards.
Which test should a nurse or midwife choose?
There is no universally easier test — the right one depends on which skill is holding your score down.
- Weak Writing, strong Speaking: IELTS Academic. Writing 6.5 is the lowest writing bar of the five.
- Weak Speaking: avoid PTE Academic — Speaking 76 is the hardest single component on the list. IELTS or OET are usually safer.
- You work in healthcare and think in clinical language: OET. Its tasks use healthcare contexts, which many nurses find more natural than IELTS essay topics.
- You need a result quickly: PTE Academic is computer-scored with the fastest turnaround — but only if Speaking is already strong.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ahpra require IELTS 7.0 in all four bands?
No. IELTS Academic requires 7.0 overall and 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing. The “7.0 across all bands” version circulates widely on coaching blogs and is wrong.
Which tests does Ahpra accept?
Five: IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. LanguageCert is not on the Ahpra list — note that this differs from the Department of Home Affairs visa list, which is a separate set of rules.
Which scores apply to me, the old ones or the new ones?
It depends on the date you sat the test, not the date you apply. Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are assessed against the old table; tests taken on or after 23 April 2026 against the new one.
Is the Ahpra requirement the same as the visa requirement?
No. Ahpra registration and your visa are assessed separately, with different accepted tests and different minimum scores. Meeting one does not mean you meet the other.
How long will it take me to get there?
That depends on your current level and which component is short. A 30-minute diagnostic in real test format gives you a measured band, the specific blocker, and a number of weeks.
Where to check
- Ahpra — Accepted English language tests (the score tables above)
- Ahpra — English language skills registration standard
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia — English language skills
Green School prepares candidates for IELTS, PTE, OET and CELPIP online, with live classes and teachers who have sat the same exams. If you are not sure which test gives you the shortest path, book a 30-minute Deep Diagnostics Session for $29 — you leave with a measured band, the exact blocker, and a realistic number of weeks. The $29 is credited toward your first month if you enrol within 7 days.