OET vs IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Cambridge for AHPRA 2026

There is no single “best” English test for every nurse. The correct choice depends on which organisation needs the result, the test date, your strongest skills, local availability and whether you also want to claim migration points.

First: AHPRA, ANMAC and Home Affairs use different rules

Organisation	Why it checks English	Important distinction
NMBA/Ahpra	Professional registration	New score profiles apply to tests from 23 April 2026.
ANMAC	Full migration skills assessment	Its current Full-assessment scores differ from the new AHPRA profiles.
Home Affairs	Visa eligibility and skilled-migration points	New approved-test scores apply from 7 August 2025; visa subclasses can have additional rules.

AHPRA minimum scores from 23 April 2026

Test	Overall / total	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS Academic	Overall 7.0	7.0	7.0	6.5	7.0
OET	No overall requirement shown	350	360	350	360
PTE Academic	Overall 63	58	59	60	76
TOEFL iBT	Total 91	22	22	23	24
Cambridge C1 Advanced	Overall 178	175	179	180	194
Cambridge C2 Proficiency	Overall 185	185	185	176	185

For tests taken on or before 22 April 2026, use Ahpra’s transitional score table. NMBA may accept a maximum of two sittings within 12 months when every test-specific combination condition is met. The old six-month statement has been removed.

Home Affairs: Proficient and Superior English

For skilled-migration points, Competent English scores zero points, Proficient English scores 10 and Superior English scores 20 under the current points test. The following profiles apply to approved tests taken from 7 August 2025. Visa subclasses and validity periods can differ.

Proficient English – 10 points

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS Academic or General	7	7	7	7
OET	350	360	380	360
PTE Academic	58	59	69	76
TOEFL iBT	22	22	26	24
Cambridge C1 Advanced	175	179	193	194

Superior English – 20 points

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS Academic or General	8	8	8	8
OET	390	400	420	400
PTE Academic	69	70	85	88
TOEFL iBT	26	27	30	28
Cambridge C1 Advanced	186	190	210	208

OET can be used for Proficient and Superior English. The previous claim that OET only counted at Superior level was wrong. For TOEFL iBT used for Australian visas, Home Affairs says you must select “Taking TOEFL for Australia” when registering. Completely online or at-home tests are not accepted for visa purposes.

How the tests differ in practice

Test	Format and content	May suit you if…	Watch for
OET	Healthcare scenarios; profession-specific writing and speaking	You communicate confidently in clinical settings	Clinical familiarity does not remove the need to learn the marking criteria
IELTS Academic	General academic reading, writing, listening and interview	You prefer broad study materials and widespread test dates	Writing 6.5 may meet AHPRA but not Proficient visa English
PTE Academic	Fully computer-based and highly structured	You are comfortable speaking to a computer and typing quickly	The new score profile is uneven; Speaking is comparatively high
TOEFL iBT	Academic computer-based test	You already prepare for TOEFL or have strong academic English	Australian visa registration pathway and component requirements
Cambridge C1/C2	Advanced general English qualification	You already hold or prefer a Cambridge test	Availability, score profile and test-date rules

OET versus IELTS

OET can feel more natural to nurses because the scenarios use healthcare communication. IELTS is cheaper in some locations and has more test dates. Neither is automatically easier: OET requires precise referral or discharge writing, while IELTS requires general academic writing and unfamiliar topics.

PTE versus the paper/interview options

PTE provides a consistent computer format and often quick results, but the current AHPRA and visa profiles place different pressure on individual components. Take an official scored mock before booking. A high overall score cannot compensate for a component below the required minimum.

What about ANMAC Full?

ANMAC Full currently requires IELTS overall 7 with L/R/S 7 and W 6.5; OET B in L/R/S and C+ in Writing; PTE overall 66 with L/R/S 66 and W 56; TOEFL total 94 with L/R/W 24 and Speaking 23; or Cambridge overall 185 with L/R/S 185 and Writing 176. A Modified assessment does not require an English test.

A sensible decision process

1. List every organisation that will use the result. AHPRA only, ANMAC Full, Home Affairs, or more than one.
2. Check the test date rules. Use the score table corresponding to when you will sit the test.
3. Choose your visa-points target. Do not over-prepare for Superior English unless it materially helps your plan.
4. Complete one official mock for two likely tests. Compare component performance, not only the overall mark.
5. Check local test dates, result times and retake options.
6. Prepare for the format. English ability alone does not teach OET letter structure, IELTS task response or PTE timing.
7. Verify again immediately before booking. Fees and provider policies change.

Costs and results

Test fees, result-release times and rescheduling charges vary by provider, country and test centre. For that reason, this guide no longer publishes a “realistic average number of re-sits” or a universal total cost. Those figures were not supported by reliable data. Use the official booking page for your location and budget for a possible retake without assuming you will need one.

Common mistakes

• Using a blog table without checking the examination date.
• Meeting AHPRA Writing 6.5 in IELTS and assuming it gives Proficient visa English.
• Looking only at the overall PTE or TOEFL result.
• Booking OET because it sounds clinical without learning its writing criteria.
• Switching test providers after one attempt without analysing component scores.
• Taking an at-home test that the receiving organisation does not accept.
• Mixing AHPRA, ANMAC and Home Affairs requirements.

Official sources

• Ahpra – Accepted English language tests
• NMBA – English language skills standard
• ANMAC – Full assessment English requirements
• Home Affairs – Proficient English
• Home Affairs – Superior English