PTE Core vs PTE Academic: Key Differences for Study & PR in Australia

Staring at the same fork in the road: “Should I take PTE Core or PTE Academic?”

That choice steers your study plans, post-study work, and Australia PR.

At PickMyUni, we’ve mapped the exact questions students ask us most — score use, acceptance, and which test actually feels easier — with Australia front and center.

What is PTE Core?

PTE Core is a general-purpose English test. It checks everyday communication across Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening on a 10–90 scale. Pearson positions Core for migration settings outside the university context. It’s not the test Australia uses for visas or admissions. 

Australia focus: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) does not list PTE Core among accepted tests for visas taken on or after 7 August 2025. 

What is PTE Academic?

PTE Academic measures academic readiness using campus-style tasks (summaries, lectures, integrated skills). Scores run 10–90 and align with CEFR bands used by universities. 

• DHA accepts PTE Academic for Australian visa purposes (tests taken at secure centers). 
• Australian universities also use PTE Academic for course admissions. 

PTE Core vs PTE Academic — the differences 

Sources: DHA accepted tests list and Pearson materials. 

PTE Core vs PTE Academic — Which is easy?

From student calls and mock tests, a few patterns show up:

• PTE Academic feels “studylike” — summarising lectures, handling academic texts.
• PTE Core reads more like daily life prompts — but that doesn’t help in Australia if it isn’t accepted.
  
  

PickMyUni’s take: stress drops when the test matches the decision-maker. For Australia, that’s universities and the DHA — both read PTE Academic. So “easy” isn’t the headline; fit is.

PTE Academic vs PTE Core for Australia PR

• From 7 August 2025, DHA’s accepted list for tests taken on/after that date includes PTE Academic (and other named tests). PTE Core is not listed. 
• For migration points or PR streams, plan prep around PTE Academic score bands required at Competent/Proficient/Superior English levels (visa-specific).
  
  

PTE Core vs PTE Academic — Score comparison 

• Both tests report 10–90 overall and per-skill scores. 
• Australia reads PTE Academic only. DHA sets visa English levels (e.g., Functional, Competent, Proficient, Superior) with minimum PTE Academic scores per skill; thresholds vary by visa and level and apply to tests taken on/after 7 Aug 2025. Always check your visa subclass page. 
• No official Core→Academic converter for Australia. If you prepare for Australia, use PTE Academic guides and DHA tables, not Core mappings.

Quick decision flow (Australia-only):

1. Studying in Australia? Take PTE Academic — it’s accepted by Australian universities and DHA.
   
   
2. Eyeing Australia PR later? Train for the visa level you’ll need (e.g., Competent vs Proficient) and give yourself a cushion above the minimums. Updates kicked on 7 Aug 2025; plan headroom.
   
   
3. Book smart: standard PTE Academic fee in Australia is ~AUD $475 at many centers — budget for resits only if you must.
   
   

Student snapshots we’ve seen:

• Master’s applicants who aimed for one band above their university minimum rarely got stuck on GTE or COE timing.
  
  
• Temporary Graduate (485) planners who pre-targeted the right DHA level (e.g., Competent or above) avoided last-minute resits after policy shifts. 

Contact PickMyUni. We’ll set a PTE Academic target that covers your offer letter and visa in one plan. 

FAQs About PTE Core vs PTE Academic