What each regulator accepts
OET lines are Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking on the 0–500 scale. IELTS and PTE lines are as each regulator publishes them. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
| Regulator | Country | OET (L/R/W/S) | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahpra and the National Boards | Australia | 350 / 360 / 350 / 360 | 7 overall; L 7, R 7, W 6.5, S 7 | 63 overall; L 58, R 59, W 60, S 76 |
| Nursing and Midwifery Council | United Kingdom | 350 / 350 / 300 / 350 | L 7, R 7, W 6.5, S 7 (no overall score stated) | not accepted |
| Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland | Ireland | 350 in three sub-tests, 300 in any one | 7.0 overall; 7.0 in any three skills and 6.5 in any one | not accepted |
| Nursing Council of New Zealand | New Zealand | 350 / 350 / 300 / 350 | L 7, R 7, W 6.5, S 7 (no overall score stated) | not accepted |
| HRSA test list for VisaScreen | United States | 320 / 340 / 350 / 360 | 6.5 overall; Speaking 7 | 55 overall; Speaking 76; Reading, Writing & Listening 62 |
| Canada nursing | Canada | varies by province (Ontario 350 / 330 / 320 / 350) | Ontario (CNO): 7 total; L 7, S 7, R 6.5, W 6.5 | Ontario (CNO): L 73, R 66, W 68, S 75 (no total) |
How the tests differ
| OET | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | 12 health professions | General academic English | General academic English |
| Length | About 2 h 45 min | 2 h 45 min | About 2 hours |
| Writing task | A letter from case notes, in your profession | A graph description and an essay | Short essays and summaries |
| Speaking | Two clinical role-plays, recorded | Face-to-face interview | Speaking into a microphone, AI-scored |
| Results | Computer: usually within 6 days; paper: from 5–13 days | Computer: usually 1–2 days | Typically within 2 days |
| Fee in Australia | AU$587 | AU$490 | AU$499 |
| Fee in India | Charged as AU$587 | INR 19,000 | INR 18,900 |
How to choose
- Start with your regulator. If it doesn't accept a test (the NMC, GMC, NMBI and NCNZ don't list PTE), that test is off the table.
- Look at the weakest skill, not the overall. OET has no overall score, and most regulators set a minimum in every sub-test or band.
- Writing: if essays on general topics are hard for you, OET's case-notes letter is often more familiar. If clinical letters feel slow, practise those first.
- Speaking: OET marks clinical communication as well as language, so empathy and structure count. IELTS and PTE don't test those.
- Try one free part of each before paying for a sitting: OET Listening Part A, OET Reading Part A.
Questions candidates ask
Is OET easier than IELTS for nurses?
Neither is easy, but many nurses find OET's healthcare tasks more familiar, especially the letter instead of an essay. OET's 2025 statistics show nurses averaged 313 in Listening and 303 in Reading, below the usual 350 line, so Listening and Reading need the most practice.
Does the NMC accept PTE?
No. The NMC lists IELTS and OET as its accepted tests; PTE Academic is not on its list. Check the NMC page before you book, as lists can change.
What IELTS score equals OET B?
OET B (350–440) is often compared to IELTS 7.0–7.5. For nurses, most regulators pair OET B with IELTS 7, and OET C+ in Writing with IELTS 6.5 in Writing.
Can I combine OET and IELTS results?
No. Regulators that allow combining sittings, such as AHPRA, only combine results from the same test.
Sources
- Ahpra and the National Boards
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
- Nursing Council of New Zealand
- HRSA test list for VisaScreen
- Canada nursing
- Pearson: PTE test centres and fees
- IELTS Australia: how much does IELTS cost
- OET support: How much does OET cost
Last checked 22 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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