Your English scores may no longer be valid for AHPRA registration and most healthcare professionals don’t know it yet. As of 23 April 2026, AHPRA has officially updated the minimum English language test scores required across all healthcare professions in Australia.
If you’re preparing for the AMC, ADC, OPRA, APEP or any other healthcare profession licensing exam in Australia, this change affects you directly. Read on before you book your next test.
What Are the New Minimum Scores?
The score requirements depend entirely on when you sat your English test. Tests taken before 23 April 2026 follow the old scores; tests taken from 23 April 2026 onwards follow the new scores.
OET - The Scoring System Has Changed
The biggest structural change is in OET. The familiar letter grade system has been replaced entirely with numerical scores from 23 April 2026.
| Component | Before 23 April 2026 | From 23 April 2026 |
| Listening | B | 350 |
| Reading | B | 360 |
| Writing | C+ | 350 |
| Speaking | B | 360 |
This does not mean the bar has been raised or lowered. The required proficiency level is equivalent. However, if you are used to thinking in letter grades, you now need to familiarise yourself with the numerical system when interpreting your results and checking eligibility.
OET remains one of the most popular English tests among healthcare professionals globally, precisely because it is healthcare-specific. Each sub-test is designed around real clinical scenarios, making it highly relevant for doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists preparing for registration in Australia.
PTE Academic - Speaking Has Jumped to 76
PTE Academic has seen the most significant score shift of all accepted tests. While most components have actually become easier to achieve, the speaking score has risen sharply from 66 to 76, a 10-point jump that candidates must account for in their preparation.
| Component | Before 23 April 2026 | From 23 April 2026 |
| Listening | 66 | 58 |
| Reading | 66 | 59 |
| Writing | 56 | 60 |
| Speaking | 66 | 76 |
| Overall | 66 | 63 |
If you are a PTE candidate who has been focusing heavily on reading and listening, it is time to shift significant preparation time toward speaking. A score of 76 in PTE speaking requires strong fluency, pronunciation, and oral fluency, skills that need deliberate, structured practice.
What About IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge C1?
IELTS Academic - No changes at all. If IELTS is your test of choice, your target scores remain exactly the same. You can continue your preparation without any adjustments.
TOEFL iBT - Minor adjustments overall. Most component scores have slightly decreased, with speaking increasing marginally from 23 to 24 and the overall score dropping from 94 to 91.
Cambridge C1 Advanced - Scores have been restructured across components. Speaking now requires a higher score while listening and reading requirements have eased.
Why Did AHPRA Change the Scores?
In August 2025, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs updated English language requirements for migration visas, based on new score concordance research by test providers. AHPRA’s National Boards have now aligned their registration requirements with these same changes.
The level of English proficiency required has NOT changed, only how that proficiency is measured across different tests has been updated. These changes apply to all 16 AHPRA-regulated health professions, no exceptions.
What If You Took Two Test Sittings?
AHPRA allows you to combine scores from two different test sittings, meaning you don’t have to achieve all four components in a single attempt. You can sit the test twice within a 12-month period and use the best scores from each sitting.
But with scores changing on 23 April 2026, which standard applies to you? Here’s how it works:
| Test Situation | Which Scores Apply |
| Both tests taken before 23 April 2026 | Old scores apply to both |
| Both tests taken from 23 April 2026 | New scores apply to both |
| First test before 23 April, second after | Old scores for first, new scores for second |
How Academically Can Help
At Academically, we support internationally qualified health professionals through every step of their Australian registration journey. Whether you are preparing for the AMC, ADC, OPRA, NCLEX APEP, or any other licensing exam, our expert coaches ensure your preparation. This also includes English language readiness which is aligned with the latest AHPRA requirements.
Get in touch with our team today and take the next step towards practising in Australia with confidence.
