NEW SCORES · EFFECTIVE 23 APRIL 2026
AHPRA & NMBA · OFFICIAL GUIDE
Australia Nursing Registration — Accepted English Language Tests & Updated Scores 2026
Ahpra and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) updated the minimum English test scores required for nursing and midwifery registration on 23 April 2026. This guide sets out every new score for IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge — with the full transition rules for tests taken before the change.
If you are an internationally qualified nurse or midwife planning to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), English language proficiency is non-negotiable. Even a single skill score below the threshold will delay or block your registration — and with the new scores coming into effect on 23 April 2026, getting the test strategy right matters more than ever.
This guide is built directly from the official Ahpra and NMBA documents — the revised Registration standard: English language skills (effective 18 March 2025), the English language skills transition arrangements policy (March 2025), and the Accepted English language tests page (reviewed 20 April 2026).
1. What Changed on 23 April 2026
Per the official Ahpra and NMBA announcement, "from 23 April 2026, National Boards have updated the minimum scores of accepted English tests to align with current score concordance research and scores set by the Department of Home Affairs for migration purposes."
Critically: the level of English language proficiency required for registration has not changed. What has changed is how the raw test scores map to that proficiency level. As test providers have updated their scoring (for example Pearson's PTE Academic concordance research), the numeric thresholds have been recalibrated to match.
"Importantly, these changes do not change the level of English language proficiency required for registration." — Ahpra, Accepted English language tests page, April 2026
The most practically significant changes for nursing applicants:
- PTE Academic overall: 66 → 63 (but speaking has risen to 76, which is much harder)
- TOEFL iBT total: 94 → 91
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: now has a distinct score set from C2 Proficiency (overall 178 for C1, 185 for C2)
- OET: now scored on the numeric scale (350/360) in Table 2 — equivalent to the old grade-letter scale
- IELTS Academic: unchanged at overall 7, with 7/7/7 in listening/reading/speaking and 6.5 in writing
2. Who Needs to Meet the English Language Skills Standard?
Per the NMBA Registration Standard: English Language Skills (effective 18 March 2025), the standard applies to all applicants for initial registration. It does not apply if you are applying for non-practising registration or if you are a student.
"Initial registration" means any of the following:
- A practitioner applying for registration in Australia in nursing and/or midwifery for the first time; or
- A practitioner applying for registration (including moving from non-practising to another registration type) who has not used English as their primary language for a period of greater than five years; or
- A practitioner who currently holds limited registration on the basis that they were granted an exemption from this standard in limited circumstances, and who is now applying for another type of registration.
3. The Four Pathways to Meet the NMBA Standard
The NMBA allows four ways to demonstrate English language competency for initial registration as a registered nurse, enrolled nurse or midwife. Important note for nursing applicants: the NMBA standard does NOT include an "advanced education pathway" (that pathway exists only in the common ELS standard for the other 13 professions).
1 English as Primary Language + Education
English is your primary language, AND you completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education (with at least 2 years between years 7 and 12) taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, AND your nursing/midwifery qualification was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country (minimum 2 years full-time equivalent for RN/midwife, 1 year for EN).
2 5 Years Continuous Education (RN/Midwife)
For registered nurses and midwives — at least 5 years (full-time equivalent) continuous education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, which includes your tertiary nursing/midwifery qualification. The last period must have been completed no more than 5 years prior to applying.
3 5 Years Continuous Education (EN)
For enrolled nurses — at least 5 years (full-time equivalent) continuous education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, which includes your vocational qualification (AQF Level 3 / Certificate III or higher, delivered primarily face-to-face). Same 5-year recency rule applies.
4 The Test Pathway
Achieve the required minimum scores in one of five accepted English tests — IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency). This is the pathway most international applicants use. Tables 1 and 2 below set out the exact scores.
4. The Five Accepted English Tests
Per Ahpra, the five English language tests currently accepted by National Boards for nursing and midwifery registration are:
- Cambridge — C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (paper and computer at test centre only)
- IELTS Academic — International English Language Testing System (Academic — paper and computer at test centre only)
- OET — Occupational English Test (on paper or computer based in testing centre; any profession-specific OET test is accepted)
- PTE Academic — Pearson Test of English Academic (computer at test centre only)
- TOEFL iBT — Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (computer at test centre only)
5. Table 1 — Minimum Scores for Tests Taken On or Before 22 April 2026
If you sat your English test on or before 22 April 2026, these are the scores you must meet. Source: Ahpra Accepted English language tests page and Appendix 1 of the Registration Standard.
| Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) |
185 | 185 | 185 | 176 | 185 |
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.5 | 7 |
| OET (any profession-specific OET) |
— | B | B | C+ | B |
| PTE Academic | 66 | 66 | 66 | 56 | 66 |
| TOEFL iBT | 94 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
6. Table 2 — Minimum Scores for Tests Taken On or After 23 April 2026
If you are sitting your English test on or after 23 April 2026, these are the new minimum scores. Source: Ahpra updated Accepted English language tests page (reviewed 20 April 2026).
| Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 178 | 175 | 179 | 180 | 194 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 185 | 185 | 185 | 176 | 185 |
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.5 | 7 |
| OET (numeric scale) |
N/A | 350 | 360 | 350 | 360 |
| PTE Academic | 63 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 91 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
7. Old vs New Scores — Side-by-Side Comparison
For quick decision-making on which test to sit, here is the direct comparison:
| Test & Skill | Old (≤ 22 Apr 2026) | New (≥ 23 Apr 2026) | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic — overall | 66 | 63 | Lower ⬇ |
| PTE Academic — listening | 66 | 58 | Lower ⬇ |
| PTE Academic — reading | 66 | 59 | Lower ⬇ |
| PTE Academic — writing | 56 | 60 | Higher ⬆ |
| PTE Academic — speaking | 66 | 76 | Much higher ⬆ |
| TOEFL iBT — total | 94 | 91 | Lower ⬇ |
| TOEFL iBT — listening | 24 | 22 | Lower ⬇ |
| TOEFL iBT — reading | 24 | 22 | Lower ⬇ |
| TOEFL iBT — writing | 24 | 23 | Lower ⬇ |
| TOEFL iBT — speaking | 23 | 24 | Higher ⬆ |
| IELTS Academic — all | 7/7/7/6.5/7 | 7/7/7/6.5/7 | Unchanged |
| Cambridge C1 — overall | 185 | 178 | Lower ⬇ |
| Cambridge C1 — speaking | 185 | 194 | Much higher ⬆ |
8. What If My Two Sittings Straddle 23 April 2026?
This is the single most confusing scenario — and one that has real consequences. Per Ahpra's official FAQs:
The rule for mixed sittings
If you took your first test on or before 22 April 2026, and your second test on or after 23 April 2026:
- Your first test must meet the old minimum scores in Table 1.
- Your second test must meet the new minimum scores in Table 2.
- Both sittings must still be within 12 months of each other (from the earlier sitting date).
- Both sittings must be from the same test provider — results from different providers cannot be combined.
9. Two-Sitting Rules & Component Minimums
National Boards accept test results from either one sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period. "Two test sittings in a 12-month period" means the dates of the sittings must not be more than 12 months apart.
When combining two sittings, there is also a floor score for each component — no score in any component, in either sitting, may fall below the floor. The floor scores under Table 2 (new scores) are:
| Test | Listening floor | Reading floor | Writing floor | Speaking floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 168 | 168 | 180 | 187 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 176 | 176 | 176 | 176 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| OET | 320 | 340 | 350 | 350 |
| PTE Academic | 53 | 54 | 60 | 66 |
| TOEFL iBT | 19 | 19 | 23 | 22 |
You must also be tested in all four components in each sitting, and you must achieve the required minimum scores in each component for listening, reading, writing and speaking across the two sittings combined.
10. IELTS One Skill Retake — Accepted in Limited Form
National Boards have agreed to accept the IELTS One Skill Retake to provide further flexibility. This is not available for any other accepted English language test (not PTE, not OET, not TOEFL iBT, not Cambridge).
The IELTS One Skill Retake allows eligible test takers to re-sit one component of the test within a 60-day period if all other components and certain requirements are met. Successful completion of an IELTS One Skill Retake is not considered an additional test sitting by National Boards.
11. Test Validity — When Is Your Result Still Valid After 2 Years?
Generally, English language test results are valid for 2 years before the date you lodge your application for registration. However, per Appendix 1 of the NMBA standard, your test result will still be accepted if obtained more than 2 years ago provided you meet one of these two conditions:
Work pathway (validity extension)
Since your test results were obtained, you have:
- Been continuously working as a registered health practitioner where English was the main language of practice in one of the recognised countries (starting within 12 months of the test date), OR in another relevant health, disability or aged-care related role where English was the main language of practice in a recognised country; AND
- Lodged your application for registration within 12 months of finishing your last period of employment.
"Continuously working" means working for at least 26 weeks full-time equivalent per year.
Study pathway (validity extension)
Since your test results were obtained, you have:
- Been continuously enrolled in a Board-approved program of study (which started within 12 months of the test date) and successfully completed subjects in each semester, with no break from study apart from the provider's scheduled holidays; AND
- Lodged your application for registration within 12 months of completing the Board-approved program of study.
12. Recognised Countries List — South Africa Removed
For the education pathways (pathways 1, 2 and 3), your qualifying education must have been taught and assessed in English in a recognised country. Per the NMBA ELS standard, the recognised countries are:
| Antigua and Barbuda | Anguilla | Australia | The Bahamas |
| Barbados | Belize | Bermuda | British Indian Ocean Territory |
| Canada | Cayman Islands | Dominica | Falkland Islands |
| Gibraltar | Grenada | Guernsey | Guyana |
| Isle of Man | Jamaica | Jersey | Malta |
| New Zealand | Republic of Ireland | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | St Kitts and Nevis |
| St Lucia | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago | United Kingdom |
| United States of America | US Virgin Islands | — | — |
13. At-Home and Remote-Proctored Tests — Not Accepted
Per Ahpra's official FAQs:
"Any at-home and/or 'indicative' versions of any of the English language tests or versions that include any element of remote proctoring, except the OET computer-based test (at test centre only), are not approved by National Boards and are not accepted." — Ahpra Accepted English language tests
This means the following are not accepted by National Boards:
- IELTS Indicator (online)
- IELTS at home
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- PTE Academic Online
- Cambridge at-home versions
- Any remote-proctored version of these tests
The OET computer-based test at a testing centre has one remote-proctored element which Ahpra has assessed as acceptable — this is the only exception.
14. Transition Arrangements Policy
The revised NMBA and common ELS standards took effect on 18 March 2025, and the updated minimum test scores took effect on 23 April 2026. Ahpra's English language skills transition arrangements policy (March 2025) provides limited extensions for specific, narrowly defined circumstances:
- Applications submitted during the advance copy period (12 December 2024 – 17 March 2025) and still being assessed on 18 March 2025 were assessed against whichever ELS standard (retired or revised) best aligned with the applicant's circumstances.
- Applicants whose 2-year test validity expired in the narrow window before 18 March 2025 were given a minor extension — but these flexibility applications had to be submitted within 30 days of the revised standard taking effect, by 18 April 2025. This window has now closed.
- Applicants relying on South Africa as a recognised country had until 18 March 2026 to lodge their application.
For all new applications lodged from 23 April 2026 onwards, the revised standard and Table 2 scores apply.
15. FAQs — 20 Questions Answered
DIRECT, OFFICIAL-SOURCE ANSWERS
1. What English language test score do I need for Australia nursing registration in 2026?
It depends on which test you take and when. For tests sat on or after 23 April 2026, the minimum scores are: IELTS Academic — overall 7 with 7/7/6.5/7 (L/R/W/S); PTE Academic — overall 63 with 58/59/60/76; TOEFL iBT — total 91 with 22/22/23/24; OET — 350/360/350/360; Cambridge C1 Advanced — overall 178 with 175/179/180/194; Cambridge C2 Proficiency — overall 185 with 185/185/176/185.
2. When did Ahpra and NMBA change the English test scores?
On 23 April 2026. Per Ahpra, "from 23 April 2026, National Boards have updated the minimum scores of accepted English tests to align with current score concordance research and scores set by the Department of Home Affairs for migration purposes." The revised ELS standard itself took effect on 18 March 2025; the score update came one year later.
3. Did the English language proficiency level required change?
No. Per Ahpra: "Importantly, these changes do not change the level of English language proficiency required for registration." What changed is how test providers' raw scores map to that proficiency level, following the latest score concordance research.
4. What IELTS score do I need for Australia nursing registration?
IELTS Academic overall 7, with minimum 7 in listening, 7 in reading, 7 in speaking and 6.5 in writing. This is unchanged between Table 1 (old) and Table 2 (new) — IELTS is the one test where the scores did not change on 23 April 2026.
5. What PTE Academic score do I need for Australia nursing registration?
For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026: overall 63 with minimum 58 in listening, 59 in reading, 60 in writing and 76 in speaking. Note that although the overall threshold dropped from 66 to 63, the speaking threshold rose from 66 to 76 — making PTE harder on speaking than before.
6. What TOEFL iBT score do I need for Australia nursing registration?
For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026: total 91 with minimum 22 in listening, 22 in reading, 23 in writing and 24 in speaking. And when booking, you must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" to get the version accepted by Ahpra.
7. What OET score do I need for Australia nursing registration?
For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026: Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350, Speaking 360. Any profession-specific OET test can be accepted (you don't have to sit OET Nursing specifically). There is no separate "overall" requirement for OET.
8. I took my test before 23 April 2026. Which scores apply to me?
Your test scores must meet the old minimum scores in Table 1. For example, PTE Academic overall 66 (not 63), TOEFL iBT 94 (not 91), Cambridge 185. Your test result is still valid for 2 years from the test date, subject to the validity rules.
9. I took my first test before 23 April 2026 and my second test after. Which scores apply?
Per Ahpra's official guidance: "Your first test must meet the old minimum scores in Table 1. Your second test must meet the new minimum scores in Table 2." Both sittings must be within 12 months of each other (counted from the earlier sitting), and both must be from the same test provider.
10. Can I combine two test sittings to meet the standard?
Yes — up to two test sittings within a 12-month period, from the same test provider. You must be tested in all four components in each sitting, and no component score in either sitting may fall below the specified floor score. Results from different test providers cannot be combined.
11. Is the IELTS One Skill Retake accepted by Ahpra and NMBA?
Yes, in limited form. National Boards accept the IELTS One Skill Retake if completed within 60 days of the IELTS test result you are relying on. It is not considered an additional test sitting, but all three tests (two sittings plus One Skill Retake) must still be within a 12-month window. This flexibility is available only for IELTS — not for PTE, OET, TOEFL or Cambridge.
12. Does my English test result expire?
Generally, test results are valid for 2 years before the date you lodge your application. The validity can extend beyond 2 years if you have been continuously working as a health practitioner in English in a recognised country (starting within 12 months of the test) and apply within 12 months of finishing employment; OR if you have been continuously enrolled in a Board-approved program of study (started within 12 months of the test) and apply within 12 months of completion.
13. Are at-home or online English tests accepted?
No. Per Ahpra: "Any at-home and/or 'indicative' versions of any of the English language tests or versions that include any element of remote proctoring, except the OET computer-based test (at test centre only), are not approved by National Boards and are not accepted." So IELTS Indicator, IELTS at home, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, PTE Academic Online and Cambridge at-home versions are all rejected.
14. Is the OET computer-based test accepted?
Yes. The OET computer-based test taken at a test centre is accepted, even though it includes one remote-proctored element — Ahpra has specifically assessed this element as acceptable. The OET paper test at a test centre is also accepted.
15. Does my nursing specialty affect which OET test I can take?
No. Per Ahpra, "any profession-specific OET test can be accepted" for nursing and midwifery registration. If you have already sat OET for medicine, dentistry or another profession and met the minimum scores, that result can be used for nursing registration.
16. Do I need to sit the same test twice, or can I mix providers?
Results from different test providers cannot be combined. If you choose to use two sittings, both must be from the same test provider (for example, two IELTS sittings, or two PTE sittings — not one IELTS and one PTE).
17. Is South Africa still on the list of recognised countries?
No. Per Ahpra's transition arrangements policy, South Africa was removed from the list of recognised countries from 18 March 2026. Applicants relying on education or work experience in South Africa had to submit their registration application before that date. From 18 March 2026 onwards, South African applicants typically need to complete an English test to meet the revised ELS standard.
18. Do Indian nurses need to take an English test for Ahpra?
Typically, yes. India is not on the NMBA list of recognised countries for English language purposes, so Indian-trained nurses generally cannot meet the education pathways (pathways 1, 2 or 3). The test pathway (IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge) is the standard route. The same applies to nurses from Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Pakistan, and the GCC countries.
19. Can I apply for registration if I fail one component?
Not under the test pathway as a single sitting. If you fail one component, you have options: (a) re-sit the full test within 12 months and combine the two results, as long as no score in either sitting falls below the floor; (b) for IELTS only, use the One Skill Retake within 60 days; (c) check if you qualify for any of the education pathways; or (d) apply for limited registration if you meet the exemption circumstances, though this is rare for internationally qualified nurses.
20. Where is the single authoritative source for these requirements?
The Ahpra Accepted English language tests page, which is the official reference source, alongside the revised NMBA Registration Standard: English language skills (effective 18 March 2025) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website. Always verify your specific scenario against the live Ahpra page before booking a test — scores are reviewed periodically and can change.
Official Ahpra / NMBA Sources Referenced
- Ahpra — Accepted English language tests (reviewed 20 April 2026): ahpra.gov.au
- Ahpra — Registration standard: English language skills (common, effective 18 March 2025): Ahpra ELS standard
- NMBA — Registration standard: English language skills (effective 18 March 2025): nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
- Ahpra — English language skills transition arrangements policy (March 2025)
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia: nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs — Meeting our English language requirements: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Ahpra main website: ahpra.gov.au
- IELTS Australia: ielts.com.au/australia
- OET: oet.com
- PTE Academic: pearsonpte.com/pte-academic
- TOEFL iBT Australia: ets.org TOEFL Australia
- Cambridge English: cambridgeenglish.org
