If you are planning to sit PTE Academic in Melbourne’s north, Melbourne Polytechnic’s Preston campus is one of the authorised places where you can take the test.
On This Page
- Melbourne Polytechnic PTE Test Centre Location
- PTE Test Times at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston
- How to Book PTE Academic at Melbourne Polytechnic
- How Much Does the Test Cost?
- Getting to the Preston Campus
- Train
- Tram
- Bus
- Parking at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston
- What ID Do You Need?
- Arrive 30 Minutes Early
- What Happens at Check-In?
- What Is the Test Room Like?
- The Test Is the Same as Other PTE Academic Centres
- Make Sure Your Preparation Is Current
- What to Check the Day Before
- After the Test
- Is Melbourne Polytechnic Preston a Good Choice?
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
The centre is at:
Melbourne Polytechnic Preston Campus
Building E, Level 3
77 St Georges Road, Preston VIC 3072
Melbourne Polytechnic runs two Pearson testing rooms on the same level, PE313 and PE315. Your booking confirmation will tell you which room you have been assigned.
The campus is well connected by train, tram and bus, and there are also parking options if you are driving.
Melbourne Polytechnic PTE Test Centre Location
The Melbourne Polytechnic PTE test centre is inside the Preston campus at 77 St Georges Road.
Pearson lists two testing rooms at this location:
- Room PE313, Building E
- Room PE315, Building E
Both are on Level 3.
Melbourne Polytechnic describes the Preston facility as two purpose-built Pearson Select Test Centres, each with ten testing stations.
That means your booking may show one room rather than simply “Melbourne Polytechnic Preston.” Check the exact room before you travel.
PTE Test Times at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston
Melbourne Polytechnic currently publishes several PTE Academic sessions during the week and on Saturdays.
| Day | Room 315 | Room 313 |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 9:00 am | 9:15 am |
| Monday to Friday | 12:00 pm | 12:15 pm |
| Monday to Friday | 3:15 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Monday to Friday | 6:30 pm | 6:45 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am | 9:15 am |
| Saturday | 12:00 pm | 12:15 pm |
| Saturday | 3:15 pm | 3:30 pm |
These are the published session times, not guaranteed seat availability.
A session may appear on the centre timetable and still be full when you try to book. Pearson’s live booking system is the place to check which dates and times are actually available.
If you are still working around your test deadline, the PTEClasses guide to PTE exam dates in Australia explains how appointment availability works across different centres.
How to Book PTE Academic at Melbourne Polytechnic
The test is booked through Pearson, not by turning up at Melbourne Polytechnic. Use your myPTE account, choose PTE Academic, then search for the Preston location. When you see Melbourne Polytechnic in the results, check the address carefully:
77 St Georges Road, Preston VIC 3072
You may see PE313 and PE315 as separate options.
If you are creating a Pearson account for the first time, enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport or other accepted identification. Small differences in names or personal details can cause problems at check-in.
The PTEClasses PTE Academic Registration guide covers the account and booking process in more detail.
How Much Does the Test Cost?
Melbourne Polytechnic does not currently show a permanent fixed price on its PTE centre page.
That is useful to know because fees can change.
Pearson shows the applicable fee during the booking process after you choose your country and test centre. The amount displayed there should be treated as the current price.
If you want the wider Australian pricing context, see the PTEClasses PTE Exam Fee Australia guide.
Avoid relying on old social posts or forum comments for the fee. They can stay online long after the price changes.
Getting to the Preston Campus
The Preston campus is roughly 9 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD. Public transport is a practical option because the campus is served by trains, trams and buses.
Train
Bell Station and Preston Station are both on the Mernda line and are listed by Melbourne Polytechnic as nearby options. Which one works better depends on where you are coming from.
If you are travelling by train on test day, do not calculate your timing only to the station. You still have to walk to campus, find Building E and get to Level 3.
Tram
Two tram routes serve the area:
- Route 11
- Route 86
Check live transport information before you leave in case there are delays or service changes.
Bus
Several buses also serve the Preston campus area, including routes 513, 527, 552, 553 and 903. The main thing is not just reaching St Georges Road. Give yourself enough time to get from the street to the actual test room.
Parking at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston
Parking is available at the Preston campus, but it is regulated. Melbourne Polytechnic currently lists paid parking during weekday hours and uses several payment options and zones. If you are driving, check the parking rules before test day rather than assuming there will be a free space near Building E. Parking can add more time than people expect. Finding a bay, paying, walking across campus and locating the testing room all happen before check-in starts.
What ID Do You Need?
For most PTE Academic candidates, the key document is a valid passport. The name and other personal details in your booking must match the identification you bring.
Melbourne Polytechnic states that the passport should include your:
- full name
- photograph
- date of birth
- gender
- signature
If you do not have a passport or your situation is unusual, contact Pearson before booking rather than waiting until test day. Digital copies or photos of identification should not be treated as a substitute for the physical document where Pearson requires the original. The full identification rules are covered in PTEClasses’ What to Bring to PTE Exam guide.
Arrive 30 Minutes Early
Melbourne Polytechnic tells candidates to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled test time. Do not interpret that as “reach the campus 30 minutes early.”
You still need time to enter the site, find Building E, take the lift or stairs to Level 3 and locate the correct room. If your appointment is at 9:00 am, aiming to walk into the campus at 8:30 am is cutting it too fine.
What Happens at Check-In?
Once you arrive at the centre, staff will check your identity and booking before you enter the testing room.
Pearson’s standard check-in process can include:
- ID verification
- a digital photograph
- a digital signature
- a palm scan
- storage of personal belongings
You will then be shown to your workstation.
There is no need to bring stationery or computer equipment. The centre provides the materials required for the test.
What Is the Test Room Like?
The Preston centre has two testing rooms with ten stations in each. PTE Academic is taken on a computer. Your workstation will have a keyboard, headset and microphone.
Other people may be taking the test at the same time, so you may hear nearby candidates during Speaking tasks.
That is normal.
If you have never practiced speaking while other voices are around, doing a few practice sessions with mild background noise can make the environment feel less unfamiliar. Pearson uses a QWERTY keyboard, so anyone used to another keyboard layout should practise with QWERTY beforehand.
The Test Is the Same as Other PTE Academic Centres
There is no special “Melbourne Polytechnic version” of PTE Academic. Choosing Preston changes the location, not the exam. The same Pearson test format and scoring system apply.
PTE Academic currently takes around two hours and tests:
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
The centre itself does not affect your score.
Make Sure Your Preparation Is Current
Older preparation material can be a problem because PTE Academic changed in 2025.
Pearson added two Speaking tasks:
If your preparation material does not include those tasks, it is incomplete for the current test format.
There is no value in searching for supposed “Preston questions” or trying to find centre-specific predictions. Prepare for the actual PTE Academic structure.
If you are studying in Melbourne, the PTEClasses PTE Melbourne page can help with local preparation options, while your official exam booking still remains with Pearson.
What to Check the Day Before
The day before your test, check the practical details rather than spending the final hours changing your study method.
Confirm:
Address: 77 St Georges Road, Preston VIC 3072
Building: E
Level: 3
Room: PE313 or PE315
Appointment time: as shown in myPTE
ID: valid and matching your booking
Travel: already planned
Arrival: at least 30 minutes early
Use your actual Pearson confirmation as the final reference.
After the Test
Melbourne Polytechnic does not issue your PTE score. Pearson releases the result through your myPTE account. Most candidates receive their results within a short period, often within two business days, although some results can take longer. You will receive a notification when the score report is ready.
Is Melbourne Polytechnic Preston a Good Choice?
It can be a good option if Preston is easy for you to reach.
The centre offers several things candidates may find useful:
- weekday testing
- Saturday sessions
- evening sessions on weekdays
- two separate PTE rooms
- train, tram and bus access
- campus parking
None of those features change the difficulty of the test.
Choose the centre because the location and appointment suit you, not because you expect easier questions or a better score.
Final Thoughts
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Preston campus is a practical PTE Academic option for candidates who prefer testing in Melbourne’s north. The most important things are simple: check your exact room and appointment in myPTE, bring the correct identification, plan your route in advance and arrive early enough to complete check-in without rushing. The test itself follows Pearson’s standard format, so your preparation should focus on the current PTE Academic tasks rather than the location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
Is Melbourne Polytechnic an official Pearson PTE test centre?
Yes. Melbourne Polytechnic operates Pearson Select Test Centres at its Preston campus, and Pearson lists the location as an authorised testing venue.
Where exactly is the PTE test centre at Melbourne Polytechnic?
It is in Building E, Level 3, at 77 St Georges Road, Preston VIC 3072. Your booking will show either Room PE313 or PE315.
Can I take PTE at Melbourne Polytechnic on Saturday?
Yes. Melbourne Polytechnic currently lists Saturday sessions in both testing rooms. Actual seats depend on the live Pearson booking system.
Can I book the test directly through Melbourne Polytechnic?
No. PTE Academic bookings are handled through Pearson. You choose the Preston centre while booking through your myPTE account.
Is Room 313 different from Room 315?
They are separate testing rooms at the same campus. The PTE Academic format and scoring do not change between them.
Can I choose which room I sit the test in?
Only if Pearson shows both rooms as available options when you book. Your confirmed booking decides which room you attend.
Does Melbourne Polytechnic use a different PTE scoring system?
No. PTE Academic uses Pearson’s standard scoring system regardless of the authorised test centre you choose.
Can I take PTE Academic from home instead of going to Preston?
No. PTE Academic for this purpose is taken at an authorised test centre.
