International pharmacists applying to register in Australia must prove English skills. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is one accepted pathway. This guide explains the Listening section format and the current AHPRA score rules. Every figure below comes from AHPRA and Pearson PTE official pages, linked throughout.
Why Pharmacists Need PTE Academic for AHPRA Registration
The Pharmacy Board of Australia sits under AHPRA. It is the national regulator. AHPRA requires international pharmacists to prove English proficiency before registration. There are 5 approved tests, and PTE Academic is one of them. If you are a candidate, then you must meet the minimum score in reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Test results are normally accepted from one sitting, or two sittings within twelve months. Scores from different test providers cannot be combined under any circumstance.
Important Update: New AHPRA Score Rules From April 2026
There are some new updates from AHPRA; it has changed the minimum English test scores for candidates from 23rd April 2026. And this is for all 5 approved tests of English.
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PTE Academic
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IELTS
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OET
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TOEFL iBT
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Cambridge tests
The tests that are taken on or before 22 April 2026 are assessed under the older rule. But the tests that are taken from 23 April 2026 onward, it will follow the new score requirements shown below. Always check the official AHPRA page before booking, so you have info of new updates.
PTE Academic Score Requirements: Old vs New
| Requirement | Tests on or Before 22 April 2026 | Tests on or After 23 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | Minimum 66 | Minimum 63 |
| Listening | Minimum 66 | Minimum 58 |
| Reading | Minimum 66 | Minimum 59 |
| Writing | Minimum 56 | Minimum 60 |
| Speaking | Minimum 66 | Minimum 76 |
Notice that Speaking rose sharply while other components eased slightly. Pharmacists preparing now should shift extra practice time toward Speaking tasks. Listening still matters greatly, since it feeds directly into several integrated question types.
Two-Sitting Rule for Combined PTE Scores
Ahpra allows combining results from two sittings within a twelve-month window. However, no single component score may fall below a set floor value. For the new framework, the floor scores are
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53 listening
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54 reading
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60 writing
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66 speaking
Mixed sittings, one before and one after 23 April 2026, are permitted too. Each test in a mixed pair is scored under its own respective framework rules.
Understanding the PTE Academic Listening Section Format
The Listening section is Part 3 of the PTE Academic test overall. Pearson states this part takes between 31 and 39 minutes to complete. It contains eight distinct question types, each testing listening alongside another skill. Every audio or video clip plays automatically and only once per item. Test takers may use an erasable noteboard booklet to jot notes.
The Eight PTE Academic Listening Question Types
| Question Type | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|
| Summarize Spoken Text | Listening, Writing |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | Listening |
| Fill in the Blanks (Type In) | Listening |
| Highlight Correct Summary | Listening, Reading |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Listening |
| Select Missing Word | Listening |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | Listening, Reading |
| Write from Dictation | Listening, Writing |
Preparation Tips for International Pharmacist
Pharmacists already read complex clinical language, which helps with academic listening content. But still, an exam-specific strategy is very important to score well. So, here in below, we have provided some important tips that will help you in your exam preparation.
Practical Listening Practice Steps
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Practice note-taking while listening to 60–90 second recordings to improve your performance in the Summarize Spoken Text task. |
| 2 | Listen to sample academic lectures from different subjects, not just pharmacy-related topics, to strengthen listening comprehension. |
| 3 | Time yourself when typing Write from Dictation sentences to improve both typing speed and spelling accuracy. |
| 4 | Use one consistent English spelling style throughout the exam—either US, UK, or Australian English. |
| 5 | Take official scored practice tests regularly to measure your progress before booking the actual examination. |
See, if you practice daily consistently, then it increases your chances to score high in the exam. Since Speaking now needs 76, pair listening drills with speaking shadowing practice too.
Booking and Validity Rules Pharmacists Should Know
PTE Academic results are valid for two years from the test date. AHPRA will not accept combined PTE Academic results and scores from another test provider. Applicants must choose “PTE Academic,” not “PTE Core,” because only “PTE Academic” appears on the list from AHPRA. Booking fees and test center addresses are available on the official PTE Academic website, but applicants should always check with AHPRA before booking a test date.
Key Takeaways
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From 23 April 2026, AHPRA has changed the English score for pharmacists.
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PTE Academic overall score dropped from 66 to 63 under the new framework.
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Now, the speaking requirements score increased from 66 to 76, so pay more attention to it.
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Listening, Reading, and Writing minimums actually eased slightly compared to the old table.
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The Listening section, Part 3, contains eight question types across 31 to 39 minutes.
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Consistent practice daily can improve your score in the exam.
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Results stay valid for two years and cannot combine scores across different providers.
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Always confirm current numbers on Ahpra's official website before booking any test date.