AM VaultThe English standard is part of registration with the Medical Board, through Ahpra. For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, the minimum scores are the ones listed below. The Boards raised them on that date, though the level of English proficiency itself has not changed. Scores can change again, so check the Ahpra page before you book a test.
The minimum scores (tests taken on or after 23 April 2026)
- IELTS Academic: 7 overall, with at least 7 in listening, reading and speaking, and 6.5 in writing.
- OET: no overall score. At least 350 in listening, 360 in reading, 350 in writing and 360 in speaking.
- PTE Academic: 63 overall, with at least 58 in listening, 59 in reading, 60 in writing and 76 in speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: 91 overall, with at least 22 in listening, 22 in reading, 23 in writing and 24 in speaking.
Ahpra lists IELTS Academic, so check before you book a different version of the IELTS. For the OET, any profession-specific test can be accepted.
If you sat a test before 23 April 2026
The score you must meet depends on the date you sat the test.
- A test taken on or before 22 April 2026 must meet the previous minimums: IELTS 7 overall, OET B/C+ (the earlier grading), PTE 66 overall with 56 in writing, and TOEFL iBT 94 overall.
- If your first test was before 23 April 2026 and your second was on or after that date, the first must meet the old minimums and the second must meet the new ones.
How long your result lasts
Results are generally valid for two years before you lodge your registration application. Ahpra says older results may be accepted if, since the test, you have worked continuously as a registered health practitioner or in a relevant health, disability or aged-care role where English was the main language of practice, or have been continuously enrolled in a Board-approved program of study. In either case you must lodge your application within 12 months of finishing that work or study. Read the page for the detail of what counts.
How many sittings you can use
The Boards accept results from one sitting, or from a maximum of two sittings within a 12-month period. If you use two, both must meet the standard, and results from different test providers cannot be combined. The IELTS One Skill Retake, which allows you to retake a single component within 60 days, is an exception and is not counted as an extra sitting.
When do you need it?
You need an accepted result when you apply for registration, because the English standard belongs to registration. Because results last two years, time your test so it is still valid on the day you apply. If you take it too early, it might expire before you use it. The AMC's own steps for applying are in how to apply, and our step-by-step guide shows where English fits among the other stages.
Questions people ask
Do I need an English test before I sit the AMC MCQ?
The English standard is part of registration with the Board, and it is assessed when you apply for registration. Nothing on the AMC pages we checked makes it a condition of sitting the MCQ, but check the AMC's current pages for your own application.
Can I combine results from IELTS and PTE?
No. Ahpra says results from different test providers cannot be combined.
What if I miss the score in one skill?
With two sittings inside 12 months, both sittings must meet the standard. The IELTS One Skill Retake is the exception, allowing a single component to be retaken within 60 days.
Do these scores apply to tests I have already taken?
It depends on the date you sat each test. Tests on or before 22 April 2026 must meet the previous minimums, and later tests must meet the new ones.