PTE Score for New Zealand 2026: Skilled Migrant, Student Visa & Points Guide

PTE Academic is fully accepted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for the Skilled Migrant Category, student visas, and residence from work. New Zealand is an increasingly popular destination for Indian students and professionals — offering a high quality of life, pathways to PR, and a welcoming immigration environment. This guide covers every PTE score requirement for NZ immigration and study.

New Zealand Accepts PTE Academic

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for all immigration categories. All eight New Zealand universities — including the University of Auckland, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, and Auckland University of Technology — accept PTE Academic for admission. PTE scores are also accepted by polytechnics (now Te Pūkenga) and private training establishments across New Zealand.

Unlike Canada (which requires PTE Core for immigration), New Zealand accepts PTE Academic — the same test used for Australia and UK. This means if you are considering both Australia and New Zealand, a single PTE Academic score can serve both applications.

PTE Score Requirements for New Zealand

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is New Zealand's primary pathway for skilled workers to obtain residence. English proficiency is one of the points-contributing factors, and higher PTE scores translate to more points in your expression of interest (EOI).

Skilled Migrant Category — PTE Scores & Points

The Skilled Migrant Category is a points-based system where you need to demonstrate skilled employment or a job offer in New Zealand, along with English proficiency. The minimum English requirement is PTE 58 overall, but higher scores improve your EOI ranking.

PTE 58 (minimum): Meets the base English requirement. You are eligible to submit an EOI but will not receive bonus English points. Suitable if your occupation, work experience, and qualifications already give you a strong points total.

PTE 65 each skill (Proficient): Earns additional SMC points. This is a meaningful boost to your EOI ranking. If you are scoring 55-60 on practice tests, the jump to 65 is achievable in 4-6 weeks of focused preparation.

PTE 79 each skill (Very Good): Earns the maximum English proficiency points in the SMC system. If your non-English points are borderline, PTE 79 can make the critical difference. The preparation path from 65 to 79 requires advanced work on pronunciation, oral fluency, and spelling precision.

NZ Student Visa — PTE Scores

PTE score requirements for NZ student visas depend on the institution and programme level. General guidelines:

Undergraduate programmes: PTE 42-50 (most institutions). Some English pathway programmes accept lower scores with conditional offers.

Postgraduate programmes: PTE 50-65 (university-specific). Research programmes at top universities like Auckland and Otago typically require PTE 58-65.

Foundation/Pathway programmes: PTE 36-42. These are designed for students who need to improve their English before entering degree programmes.

Always check the specific requirements on your target university's website, as PTE score thresholds can vary by department and programme. EEC counsellors maintain updated databases of NZ university requirements and can guide you to the right score target.

PTE vs IELTS for New Zealand

Both PTE Academic and IELTS Academic are accepted equally by INZ and all NZ universities. The choice depends on personal preference. PTE advantages include faster results (48 hours vs 13 days), AI-scored speaking (no examiner anxiety), and unlimited free score reports. IELTS offers the One Skill Retake option and wider global familiarity.

EEC's recommendation for NZ-bound students: If you are also considering Australia alongside NZ, take PTE Academic — one test, one score, two countries. If NZ is your sole focus and you prefer face-to-face speaking, IELTS is also an excellent choice. EEC offers coaching for both at ₹7,500. See our PTE vs IELTS comparison.

EEC PTE Coaching + NZ Study Abroad Counselling

Every EEC PTE student receives FREE New Zealand study abroad and immigration counselling. This includes university shortlisting, programme selection, visa application support, and pre-departure guidance. With 26 centres across Gujarat and online coaching available India-wide, EEC makes NZ accessible from anywhere. Visit Ahmedabad, Surat, or Vadodara for a free demo.

“New Zealand accepts PTE Academic at lower thresholds than Australia, making it an excellent backup destination for students who score PTE 50-57 and want a pathway to permanent residency.”

— Neha Sharma, EEC Study Abroad Counsellor

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PTE for New Zealand: