What OET score do you need for Ahpra registration in Australia?

Ahpra says any profession-specific OET test can be accepted. Where OET has no test for a profession, an OET test from another registered profession that meets the standard is accepted (Ahpra). OET offers 12 professions, including Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy (OET).

For doctors, the Medical Board of Australia also accepts the PLAB test and NZREX as evidence of English (Ahpra).

National Boards accept results from one sitting or from a maximum of two sittings no more than 12 months apart, and results from different test providers cannot be combined (Ahpra). You must be tested in all four components each time.

For tests from 23 April 2026, the minimums above must be met across the two sittings, and no score in either sitting may fall below the floors in the table. For tests on or before 22 April 2026, no score in either sitting may be below C+. If your first test was before 23 April 2026 and your second on or after it, the first must meet the old minimums and the second the new ones.

Ahpra accepts OET on paper or computer-based at a testing centre (Ahpra). At-home versions and versions with remote proctoring are not accepted, with one exception: the OET computer-based test at a centre has one remote proctored element that National Boards have assessed as acceptable. On OET on Computer, the Speaking sub-test is taken at home through a secure platform, or at the venue in select countries (OET on Computer).

Results are valid for two years before the date you lodge your application (Ahpra). Older results can still be accepted if, since the test, you have been continuously working as a registered health practitioner (or in a relevant health, disability or aged-care role) in a recognised country where English was the main language, or continuously enrolled in a Board-approved program, and you apply within 12 months of finishing. With two sittings, time runs from the earlier one. Once registered, you do not need to resit every two years.

Ahpra also accepts IELTS Academic and PTE Academic; for PTE from 23 April 2026 the minimums are overall 63, listening 58, reading 59, writing 60 and speaking 76 (Ahpra). Compare routes in IELTS for nurses in Australia, IELTS for doctors in Australia and OET vs PTE for nurses, or try a free PTE mock test.