485 Visa PTE Requirement in 2026: Official Scores, Deadlines, and a Smarter Prep Plan with YoushowPTE

If you searched "485 visa pte requirement", you probably do not want a 3,000-word legal maze, seven contradictory Reddit comments, and one cousin saying, "Bro just get overall 50, easy."
You want a clear, current answer that helps you avoid visa mistakes.

So here is the short version first.

Quick Answer: 485 Visa PTE Requirement (Updated for 2026)

For most Subclass 485 applicants relying on PTE Academic under the current settings, the required score is:

• Overall: 55
• Listening: 40
• Reading: 42
• Writing: 41
• Speaking: 39

For eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders, lower thresholds apply:

• Overall: 47
• Listening: 33
• Reading: 36
• Writing: 29
• Speaking: 24

Also critical: your test must usually be taken within 12 months before lodgement for 485 English evidence.
Yes, timing matters almost as much as score.

If that already gave you anxiety, good. Healthy anxiety saves visa fees.

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Why This Keyword Has High Intent: What People Really Mean by "485 Visa PTE Requirement"

When people type "485 visa pte requirement," they are usually asking one of these practical questions:

1. What exact score do I need right now?
2. Do component minimums matter or only overall?
3. Is my old score still valid?
4. Can I use online/at-home testing?
5. How quickly can I reach the score without turning into a full-time grammar monk?

This is not a casual search. It is a decision point with real cost.

A wrong interpretation can lead to:

• A test score that does not satisfy component minimums
• A score expiring before lodgement
• Delayed application timelines
• Re-sitting tests under stress and paying more

That is why this guide combines two things: official requirement clarity and a realistic prep system.

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Official 485 English Settings You Should Save

The current migration instrument (effective from 7 August 2025) sets accepted tests, minimum scores, and transition rules.

Standard Threshold Snapshot

Test	Overall	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
PTE Academic	55	40	42	41	39
IELTS	6.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
TOEFL iBT	81	12	12	14	17
OET	1310	260	280	260	310
CELPIP General	8	6	6	6	6
LanguageCert Academic	67	49	54	56	62
MET	58	53	51	51	43

HK/BN(O) Pathway Snapshot

Test	Overall	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
PTE Academic	47	33	36	29	24

English Exemptions by Passport

Applicants holding a valid passport from one of the following countries are generally exempt from the English test requirement for this criterion:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland

Always check your exact stream settings and conditions before assuming exemption applies.

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What Changed Since 7 August 2025 (And Why Confusion Still Exists)

The date 7 August 2025 is the line that causes most confusion.

From that date, the updated instrument introduced revised score mappings and accepted test settings for relevant visa pathways. Many pages online still mix old and new numbers without context, so applicants compare apples, oranges, and occasionally pineapples.

Practical consequences for 2026 applicants:

• Component minimums are non-negotiable in eligible frameworks
• Test recency (validity window) has become a major risk factor
• Test format and acceptance criteria must align with visa evidence rules

So if someone says, "My friend got approved with lower scores," ask: what date, what stream, what instrument version, and what passport category?

Without those details, advice is storytelling, not strategy.

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The 5 Most Common Mistakes for 485 PTE Applicants

1) Celebrating overall score too early

You get overall 56 and feel immortal. Then you see Writing 40 where 41 is required.
One-point gaps still fail criteria.

2) Ignoring test date validity

Many applicants track result release date, not test date. Migration criteria typically care about the test date window. If your timeline is tight, this error is expensive.

3) Using outdated blogs as legal truth

If a blog does not clearly state the rule date and legal source, treat it as background only.

4) Picking the wrong test format

Do not assume every version of a language test is accepted for visa evidence. Verify accepted formats before booking.

5) Studying without a score system

"I practiced a lot" is not a strategy.
For PTE, you need score feedback loops by task type, not random effort.

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Can You Reach the 485 Target Fast? Yes, If You Train Like a System

The 485 visa PTE requirement is moderate, not extreme. For many candidates, the issue is not raw English ability. It is inefficient prep.

Candidates usually waste time in three ways:

• Spending hours on low-impact tasks
• Practicing speaking without objective feedback
• Avoiding full mocks until the week of the exam

This is exactly why we built YoushowPTE around outcome-focused loops.

What YoushowPTE Helps You Do Better

• AI speaking and writing scoring in real time so you do not guess your level
• Massive real-question style bank with high-frequency practice
• Full mock exam mode that mirrors pacing pressure
• Performance analytics to identify weak task categories quickly
• Flexible free-to-PRO path so you can start without commitment

In short, less "study harder," more "train smarter with measurable correction."

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A Practical 4-Week Plan to Meet the 485 Visa PTE Requirement

If your baseline is close to the target range, this schedule is realistic.

Week 1: Diagnose and Prioritize

Goals:

• Run one full baseline mock
• Identify weakest two modules
• Build task-level routine

Daily structure (90-120 mins):

• 25 mins: speaking core (RA, RS)
• 25 mins: listening core (WFD)
• 20 mins: reading/writing weak points
• 20 mins: AI feedback review and error log

Rule: no blind repetition. Every mistake must be tagged (pronunciation, fluency, spelling, timing, structure).

Week 2: Raise Stability

Goals:

• Lift low components above minimum buffer
• Improve consistency under time constraints

Daily structure (120 mins):

• 40 mins: high-impact tasks (RA, RS, WFD)
• 30 mins: writing templates and controlled execution
• 20 mins: timed mini sets
• 30 mins: correction loop + rewrite/retake

At the end of week 2, run one mini mock and one full mock.

Week 3: Convert Practice into Exam Performance

Goals:

• Reduce variance between practice and mock scores
• Strengthen fatigue management

Daily structure (120-150 mins):

• 60 mins: timed integrated practice
• 30 mins: focused repair on recurring errors
• 30 mins: speaking/writing scoring loop
• Optional 15 mins: dictation and transcription accuracy

Run two full mocks this week. Treat them like real exams: same clock, same strictness, no pause therapy.

Week 4: Lock in and Taper

Goals:

• Protect confidence
• Maintain score floor above requirement
• Finalize exam routine

Plan:

• 2 full mocks early week
• Light technical drills in final 3 days
• Final mock 3-4 days before test day
• Last 24 hours: no panic marathons

Your exam day goal is not genius. It is controlled execution.

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How to Know You Are Actually Ready (Not Just Hopeful)

Use this checklist before booking or sitting your exam:

1. Last 3 mock overall scores are at or above target
2. No component repeatedly falls below minimum
3. Speaking fluency and pronunciation are stable under timer
4. Writing output stays structured within word/time limits
5. You can finish full-length simulation without focus collapse

If 3 or more boxes are "not yet," do one more training cycle.
A little delay now is cheaper than retest chaos later.

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Why Many Candidates Choose PTE Instead of IELTS for 485

This is not about one test being universally better. It is about fit.

Many 485 candidates prefer PTE because:

• Faster score turnaround in many cases
• Fully computer-based workflow
• Strong compatibility with data-driven prep tools
• Easier iteration cycle when timelines are tight

If you are comfortable with computer-based testing and structured repetition, PTE usually rewards methodical practice well.

If you prefer human interaction and less machine-timed pressure, IELTS may still suit you better.

Pick the format that matches your strengths, then commit.

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FAQ: 485 Visa PTE Requirement

Does only overall score matter for 485?

No. You should satisfy both overall and component minimums under the applicable framework.

Is my old PTE score still usable?

It depends on your test date versus your intended lodgement date and the applicable legal settings. Check validity window carefully.

Can I prepare in 2 weeks?

Possible if your baseline is already close and you train with strict feedback. If you are far below target, 4-8 weeks is safer.

Is one mock enough to predict my exam result?

No. One mock is noise. Multiple mocks show trend and stability.

What is the fastest way to improve for 485-level targets?

High-impact task focus + AI-scored correction + full mock rhythm. Random practice without analytics usually underperforms.

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Final Takeaway

The 485 visa PTE requirement is straightforward once you remove outdated advice:

• Know the correct threshold for your category
• Respect component minimums
• Manage the validity window by test date
• Train with measurable feedback, not vibes

If your goal is to meet the requirement with less guesswork, YoushowPTE gives you a practical workflow: AI scoring, high-frequency question training, full mocks, and progress analytics in one platform.

You do not need magical English powers.
You need a reliable process, consistent execution, and fewer "I thought this was enough" moments.

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Sources

• Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs, Subclass 485 visa page: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485
• Federal Register of Legislation, Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 485 Visas) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/089): https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00907/asmade/text
• Federal Register of Legislation, Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 2 references and criteria context): https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/latest/text