Pearson Test of English Academic accepted by the Australian Government for visa applications

Company Brief

New Delhi, June 10, 2014

Pearson, the World’s leading learning company, today announced that the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) has been approved by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) as proof of English language proficiency for a range of visa categories. The decision means that for the first time in thirteen years, visa applicants will have a choice of Government-approved English language testing options.

Emma Stubbs, Senior Vice-President of Pearson Language Testing commented: “English language ability is important for success for any new Australian migrant, helping them to improve their employment opportunities, social integration and everyday interaction. It is critical to be able to prove this skill in a secure and objective environment using the most up-to-date testing methods and technologies. This is what PTE Academic offers and we are delighted that people intending to work and live in Australia will now have the opportunity to choose which English test best suits them.”

The decision affects skilled, temporary graduate, work, holiday and former resident visa programmes. This impacts all visa subclasses, with the exception of subclass 457 which is currently undergoing an external review. In 2012 – 2013, around 130,000 visas were granted for permanent additions to the Australian population through this range of visa categories. The largest migrant source markets (excluding New Zealand) were India, China and the United Kingdom. India is Australia’s largest source country of migrants with 21.1 per cent of the total migration program.

Mr. Sanjay Shivnani, Business Head & Vice President, Vocational, Pearson India said, “PTE Academic is a leading computer-based English test for study abroad and immigration. It is accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide including prestigious Ivy Leave institutions such as Harvard and Yale, as well as the University of Melbourne and Monash.  Pearson’s expertise in English language has helped PTE Academic to develop methodology and adopt technologies which are most secure, reliable, objective and accurate.

We at Pearson believe in providing accessible, affordable and inclusive learning for all, which is achieved by having wide network of centers. Our test centers are present in all major cities from Amritsar to Vijayawada and Cochin to Chandigrah. Anyone who wishes to go to Australia to work, study or live can take this test in any of our test centers which are closer to them.”

Worldwide, PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of academic programmes, as well as by the UK Visa & Immigration department. In 2011, PTE Academic was accepted as proof of English-language ability for Australian student visas, and has since been adopted by all Australian universities as proof of English language ability. Pearson has invested heavily in digital, biometric and forensic security measures, driving up standards in such a high-stakes testing environment. As a relative newcomer the market place, Pearson has been able to place cutting-edge methodologies and technologies at the heart of its service and believes PTE Academic is the most secure, reliable, objective and accurate test in its field.

PTE Academic operates nearly 20 test centres in India including Ahmadabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Ludhiana, Patiala and Hyderabad.

For more information, visit www.pearsonpte.com

For further information, please contact:

Weber Shandwick

Arpita Chaturvedi

Mobile: +919654729343

Email: achaturvedi@webershandwick.com