What PTE score do you need for James Cook University?

JCU says English tests must be taken at an approved testing centre and that online-mode tests are not recognised. It names TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator; PTE Academic Online is not named, but it falls under the same online-mode rule, so use a test centre.

JCU's pages do not give a general validity period for PTE, rules for combining sittings or a Pearson institution code. JCU adds that depending on your country you may need an English test for your visa even if you meet JCU's requirement another way. JCU does not list PTE Core. Pearson's PTE Core FAQ says PTE Core is initially only suitable for work and migration visa routes to Canada and that PTE Academic is the test accepted for university study.

For comparison, the same schedule sets IELTS 6.0 (no component below 6.0) for Band 1, 6.5 (6.0) for Band 2 and 7.0 for the Band 3 levels.

The schedule lists English programmes that count instead of a test: JCU's own JCUCEAP at EAP Level 3 for Band 1, Level 4 for Band 2 and Level 5 for Bands 3a and 3b, and the AEMG English for Academic Purposes Direct Entry Program final exam at 65% for Band 1 and 70% for Band 2 with no sub-score below those marks.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your JCU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.