Both IELTS and PTE Academic are equally accepted by Australian universities and for the student visa. PTE is generally faster (results in 48 hours vs 13 days for IELTS) and fully computer-based, making it more objective. Most Indian students find PTE easier to prepare for due to its predictable format.
IELTS vs PTE: Score Equivalency for Australia
| IELTS Band | PTE Score | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 90–90 | Expert |
| 8.5 | 88–89 | Very Good |
| 8.0 | 79–82 | Very Good |
| 7.5 | 73–78 | Good |
| 7.0 | 65–72 | Good |
| 6.5 | 58–64 | Competent |
| 6.0 | 50–57 | Competent |
| 5.5 | 42–49 | Modest |
IELTS to PTE score conversion table (Australian DHA equivalency)
Which Test Do Australian Universities Prefer?
All Australian universities and the Department of Home Affairs accept both IELTS Academic and PTE Academic equally. There is no advantage in submitting one over the other — what matters is meeting the minimum score threshold for your specific course.
PTE vs IELTS: Exam Format Comparison
IELTS Academic is a 2 hour 45 minute test split across four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The Speaking test is with a human examiner on a different day. PTE Academic is a 2-hour computer-based test where all four skills are tested in a single session, including an AI-scored speaking component.
Which is Easier for Indian Students?
Most Indian students find PTE easier to score highly in because: the AI scoring is consistent and unbiased; the integrated task format rewards grammar and vocabulary over accent; and with targeted preparation, the PTE format is highly predictable. IELTS favours students who are comfortable with human examiners and open-ended writing tasks.