Five new PTE Academic test centers in Regional Australia

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Supporting More Workers & International Students Moving to the Regions

Pearson is supporting the Federal Government and universities in attracting international students and skilled migrants to regional areas through the establishment of English language test centres in key locations.

Pearson owns, or partners with a number of university and education providers, to operate 31 test centres in Australia, including five in regional Australia.

The regional centers are; Geelong, Hobart, Darwin, and Cairns as well as a Pearson-owned center in Canberra, all regional centers are opening between August and October this year.

The company’s recent expansion has created several new jobs in regional Australia, and further expansion into regional areas including Newcastle and Townsville is planned.

Pearson’s head of PTE Academic, Asia Pacific, Sasha Hampson, said: “This growing demand is from an increase in the number of skilled migrant workers, as well as the Federal Government’s Destination Australia Program, launched in March this year.

“The program is a fantastic way to encourage more students and workers to some of the most beautiful parts of Australia while enjoying a high-quality learning experience.

“PTE Academic is approved by the Australian government for all visa applications and used by all Australian universities to assess international students’ English language proficiency.

“As an Artificial Intelligence-driven assessment, PTE A has changed the way people take language tests. It is the most accurate, secure and reliable in the market.

“Pearson test centers provide testing on a daily basis so there is no waiting periods for people to take a test and on average results are available in 1.2 days, making it the fastest test available.”

Check test fees and find local test centers near you.

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