CCL vs PTE: which adds more points for an Australian visa?
How the NAATI CCL and PTE Academic each add points for Australian skilled visas, how they differ, and why many applicants take both.
If you're short of points for a skilled visa, two tests come up again and again: the NAATI CCL and an English test such as PTE Academic. They measure different things, and they add points separately, so they aren't either/or.
NAATI CCL: 5 points for a community language
Passing the CCL gives 5 points for credentialed community language skills. It's a single pass/fail result: you need to reach the pass mark in both dialogues. Read the complete CCL guide.
PTE: points for your English level
English test results are grouped into levels. The higher levels earn more points than the CCL. The exact PTE scores needed for each level are set by Home Affairs and have changed over time, so check the current table. Read our PTE guide.
Which should you do first?
- If your English is already strong, a higher English level may add the most points.
- If you're bilingual and a few points short, the CCL is often the quicker 5 points: it's one test with a clear pass mark.
- Many applicants do both, because the points add up.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I claim points for both the CCL and PTE?
- Yes. They're separate points categories, so you can claim both if you meet each one's requirements.