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Everything You Need to Know about the PTE Requirement for Nursing in Australia

  • Alfa PTE
  • 28 Oct 2023

If you want to start your nursing career in English-speaking countries like Australia, consider taking the PTE exams. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a computer-based English language test that is accepted by a wide range of nursing regulatory bodies around the world, including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and also the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in the United States. 

Nurses who wish to work in Australia or the United States must meet a minimum English language proficiency requirement. The PTE can be used to meet this requirement as it is accepted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). 

Why PTE for Nursing is a Good Choice?


PTE Academic is a computer-based test that assesses your speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in an academic context. It is designed to measure your ability to communicate effectively in English in a healthcare setting.

The PTE test consists of three main sections: speaking and writing, reading, and listening. Each section has several question types that require different skills & strategies, and the test duration is about two hours.

The PTE test is scored by an automated scoring system using artificial intelligence to evaluate the given responses. The scoring system is based on the Global Scale of English (GSE), which ranges from 10 to 90. You will receive an overall score and a score for each skill and sub-skill.

The test is accepted by thousands of academic institutions, professional bodies, and governments around the world. It is also recognized by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Immigration New Zealand for visa purposes. The test results are valid for two years from the date of the test.

The test is flexible and convenient for the test takers. You can book the test online up to 24 hours before the test date, subject to availability. You can also choose from over 250 test centers in more than 50 countries. The test results can take anywhere in between 12 hours to five business days.

Here are some major reasons why PTE is a better choice for studying nursing in Australia. 

Why PTE is the Right Exam for Studying Nursing in Australia?


  • PTE is Widely recognized in the Australian healthcare sector

The Australian Healthcare Practitioners Regulation Authority or the AHPRA accepts the PTE score. AHPRA has a partnership with the National Board of Chinese Medicines, Chiropractic, dental, medical radiation practice, Optometry, Nursing and Midwifery, Osteopathy, Occupational Therapy, Paramedicine, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Psychology, etc. You can apply to any of these boards by submitting your required PTE score.  

  • The PTE test is easier than other tests

The minimum PTE score for Australia for nurses is above 65 overall and above 65 in all the four modules: speaking, writing, listening and reading, individually. You can take the exam again if you fail to get the highest score the first time. Also, PTE test results can be combined for the registration of nursing. In this test, you have to go through a comprehensive English proficiency test. Although the PTE exam is similar to IELTS, most of the students prefer PTE over any other exam because of the objective, convenience and ease of scoring.

  • PTE is cheaper

Candidates choose the PTE exam for nurses over OET because it is less expensive. And hence, students give preference to PTE over other exams. 

  • Quicker results

If you want results within five business days from the exam date, then PTE is a good option. The PTE test is an ideal choice if you require urgent certification to complete your nursing registration as you can expect to receive your results anytime between 12 hours to 5 business days after giving the exam. 

An Overview of AHPRA’s PTE Requirement for Nurses


When you wish to practice medicine in a foreign country, you must prove you have all the medical and technical skills. You have to prove that you can effectively converse in the native language. And that’s where the PTE exam will prove helpful to build a career in nursing. 

Here are a Few Reasons Why English Language Competency is Important for Nursing

  • The responsibility of the nurse is to offer complete guidance and care to the patients. When they can’t communicate effectively with their patients, it might negatively affect their health.
  • When you work in nursing job roles, you have to collaborate with multiple healthcare professionals, for example, therapists, pharmacists, and doctors etc. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that you are proficient in English language communication.
  • Being a nurse, you have lots of responsibilities that include maintaining accurate patient records. When you are not strong enough to read and write the English language, then you will fail to complete this task. 
  • As a nurse, your job role is to administer the medications to the patients by sharing all the safety precautions. In this scenario, clear communication is required to avoid any mistakes. 

This is why a language proficiency is an important aspect for nurses & PTE can help you achieve a better score for your nursing study.

Overall, AHPRA has established the requirement of an English language proficiency test to regulate the quality of healthcare services. AHPRA gives a clear and effective instructions to ensure that all the nurses are highly skilled and able to perform all the tasks without any language barrier.

What is the Minimum PTE Score for a Nursing Study?


The healthcare and nursing industries have a vital connection to health, and that’s why Australia sets some strict regulations for international students who are looking to study & work in this field. 

Individuals who want to work in the nursing position need to hone their skills & English language ability to ensure they can understand the desires of patients. 

The PTE score for nursing in Australia is 65 or higher, including all 4 sections. These 4 sections involve speaking, reading, writing and listening. You can appear in this exam as many times as you can if you didn’t achieve the desired score in your first attempt!

In addition, you can combine the 2 PTE exam results for registration in nursing. If you want to fulfil your dream in Australia, then you must score 65 scores in the PTE exam for nurses.

Master Yourself to Grab a Good Score in PTE Nursing


Now since you know the importance of a good PTE score for pursuing nursing in Australia, you will have to master yourself in this exam to kickstart & boost your nursing career. 

To prepare for the PTE Academic test, you should familiarize yourself with the test format, content, and scoring. You should also practice your English skills regularly and use authentic and reliable sources of information, such as the official PTE website, the PTE practice tests, and the PTE score guide.

There are lots of PTE for nursing courses available on the internet, which are tailored to address the unique language demands in the nursing profession. Through online resources, you can get guidance & study materials to score well on the PTE for nursing.

You can also access various resources provided by Pearson, such as the video series on frequently asked questions, the teacher resources, the course outline, and the lesson plans. You can also seek guidance and support from qualified and experienced PTE trainers who can help you improve your performance and achieve your desired scores. 

Another excellent resource is PTE preparation tools like Alfa PTE that provide latest exam questions with AI scoring, along with PTE full & sectional mock tests and many more features that would prove helpful to the aspirants.

PTE Academic is a popular and widely accepted English language test for nurses who want to work or study in Australia. It is a fair, accurate, and reliable test that reflects your real-life English skills in a healthcare setting. By taking PTE Academic, you can demonstrate your English competence and pursue your career goals in Australia.