How Long is PTE Valid for In Australia?
The PTE or Pearson Test of English is an internationally recognised computer-based English language competency test. It is aimed at non-native speakers of English who wish to study or live overseas. The main features of the test are the reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections. If you have just completed your test and are wondering “how long is PTE valid for?”, then continue reading on for a comprehensive guide on the PTE validity period.
So how long is PTE valid for?
PTE test results are treated very similarly to the IELTS results. The score you will receive at the end of your PTE examination will be valid for two years from the examination date to the day on which you declare the results for study purposes. For immigration purposes, this is extended to three years, potentially leading to permanent residency.
PTE and Australia
Australia is a very desirable place to live or work for many international citizens. However, with some of the strictest immigration policies globally, it is vital to understand the factors that increase your chances of getting a Permanent Residency. Taking the PTE exam is a compulsory requirement for many Visa applications. Often this comes with a minimum score that also needs to be attained. To get these essential scores, candidates must have solid preparedness and understanding to not only best pass the PTE exam but make the best use of the PTE validity period.
Unless you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by either the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, the Australian Department of Home Affairs will require you to prove your competency in the English language. This aptitude can be demonstrated in several ways, but the most common is a PTE test by far.
Applicants generally don’t have to take a PTE test for any family-stream visas. All work-related visas do require the applicant to take the test.
PTE Scores in Australia are recognised for Australian Permanent Residency based on a points system. The higher you score in the test, the higher the English proficiency level and the more points you score for Permanent Residency.
The answer to, “how long is PTE valid for Australian Immigration?” depends on the visa subclass you are applying for.
It is essential to keep in mind that no matter which specified test you do to apply for your Permanent Residency visa, there are minimum scores required. For the PTE exam score needed for all classes of Permanent Residency visa in Australia, a minimum of 50 or above is required for each of the four test components. However, even this does not guarantee you points towards your Permanent Residency visa.
Candidates applying for the Australia Permanent Residency visa must provide their PTE Scores at the correct time to make their Permanent Residency application most relevant. For the visa subclass that is most relevant to you, as well as the PTE Validity period, see below:
| Subclass | When To Provide | Validity |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | By time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Temporary Residence Transition Stream | By time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream) | By time of invitation | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (Points tested stream) | By time of invitation | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | By time of invitation | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream) | By time of invitation | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (subclass 491) | By time of invitation | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) | By time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
So, PTE Validity in Australia depends on the context it is being used for. If it is being used to study at one of Australia’s many excellent schools or universities, it is valid for two years. If, however, the PTE is being used in conjunction with a Permanent Residency application with the Department of Home Affairs, then the validity will be extended to three years.
Prepare for the PTE Exam with Englishfirm
Englishfirm has a strong understanding of the PTE validity in Australia and the PTE exam in general. We are fully equipped to prepare you for your upcoming PTE test, with detailed mock-tests walkthroughs on the types of questions you will need to answer. We offer great environments to practise your English speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills that you’ll need for the test. It’s also important to know what PTE scores you require for either your Permanent Residency Visa or university applications so you can determine and reach your goals as part of your preparation journey.
If you’re looking to pass your PTE with confidence, your best bet is to get prepared through an experienced coaching centre like Englishfirm. Operating in both Sydney and Melbourne, Englishfirm are Australia’s leading provider of PTE preparation classes and coaching sessions. We focus on one-on-one, flexible, and affordable tutoring sessions that will propel you to getting the English score you need on your PTE exam. Our expert team can answer how long is PTE valid for and how long is PTE valid for Australian Immigration as part of our comprehensive service.
Get in touch with us today if you’d like to learn more about succeeding in the PTE exam and what Englishfirm can do to get you there. We offer free demo classes, group classes, and private, one-on-one classes to give you as much attention as you need to study for the Pearson Test of English. Book online for Sydney PTE classes, or our coaching sessions in Parramatta, online, and in Melbourne.
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