Minimum English test scores for pharmacists (from 23 April 2026)
The Pharmacy Board's English language skills page names IELTS, OET, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic as approved tests. The minimum scores are on Ahpra's accepted English language tests page, which says all National Boards except the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board accept the same tests and minimum scores. Ahpra's page also lists Cambridge C1 and C2; the Pharmacy Board page does not, so confirm with the Board before booking Cambridge.
Check both pages before you book, because the score table that applies depends on your test date.
| Test | Overall | Minimum per skill | Floor if combining two sittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (paper or computer at a test centre) | 7 | Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7 | No skill below 6.5; 7 overall in each sitting |
| OET (any profession-specific version) | Not applicable | Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350, Speaking 360 | Listening 320, Reading 340, Writing 350, Speaking 350 |
| PTE Academic | 63 | Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76 | Listening 53, Reading 54, Writing 60, Speaking 66; 63 overall in each sitting |
| TOEFL iBT (select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia') | 91 | Listening 22, Reading 22, Writing 23, Speaking 24 | Listening 19, Reading 19, Writing 23, Speaking 22; 91 total in each sitting |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 178 | Listening 175, Reading 179, Writing 180, Speaking 194 | Listening 168, Reading 168, Writing 180, Speaking 187 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 185 | Listening 185, Reading 185, Writing 176, Speaking 185 | No component below 176 |
Tests taken before 23 April 2026
Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are judged against the earlier table on the same Ahpra page. IELTS Academic was already 7 overall with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, so the IELTS target did not change. The others did: OET was grade B in listening, reading and speaking and C+ in writing; PTE Academic was 66 overall with 66 in listening, reading and speaking and 56 in writing; TOEFL iBT was 94 total (24 listening, 24 reading, 24 writing, 23 speaking). Ahpra says the scores you need depend on when you took the test, and points to the National Boards' transition arrangements policy.
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Results are accepted from one sitting, or from a maximum of two sittings in a 12-month period if you sat all four components each time and meet the floors in the table (Ahpra). Results from different test providers cannot be combined. The IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted and is not counted as an extra sitting, but if you rely on two sittings plus a One Skill Retake, all three must fall within 12 months. At-home, indicative or remotely proctored versions of any test are not approved, except that the OET computer-based test is accepted at a test centre.
For IELTS that means 7 overall in each sitting, 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing across the two, and no skill below 6.5 in either sitting.
How long results are valid
Ahpra says English test results are generally valid for two years before the date you lodge your registration application, with certain exceptions on the same page. Registration and visas are separate processes; for visa-side IELTS rules see IELTS for Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do pharmacists need in Australia?+
IELTS Academic 7 overall with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, taken on paper or computer at a test centre.
Is OET accepted by the Pharmacy Board of Australia?+
Yes, any profession-specific OET. For tests on or after 23 April 2026: 350 listening, 360 reading, 350 writing, 360 speaking.
Is PTE accepted for pharmacists in Australia?+
Yes. PTE Academic 63 overall with 58 listening, 59 reading, 60 writing and 76 speaking, for tests on or after 23 April 2026.
Can I combine two sittings?+
Yes, a maximum of two sittings in 12 months from the same test provider, with no IELTS skill below 6.5 in either sitting.
How long is the result valid?+
Generally two years before the date you lodge your application for registration.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for doctors in Australia
- IELTS for pharmacists in the UK (GPhC)
- IELTS writing: from 6.5 to 7
- Free IELTS Academic mock test
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 30 September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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