How much is the PTE exam fee in New Zealand in 2026?

INZ accepts PTE Academic for skilled residence visas: an overall 58 for the principal applicant and 36 for a partner or dependent child aged 16 or over. The test must be sat in person at a test centre, no more than two years before you apply, and at-home tests are not acceptable (INZ). PTE Core is not on INZ's list.

IELTS is NZD 15 cheaper (NZD 490) and offers One Skill Retake, which INZ accepts (IELTS fee in New Zealand). PTE's draw is speed: Pearson says results typically arrive within two days. See IELTS for the Skilled Migrant visa for the full requirement.

Pearson's rules are global (cancellation and rescheduling, refund policy). Reschedule free while more than 14 full calendar days remain, up to six times; inside 14 days you can only cancel and book again. For illness or a family emergency, use the Request Emergency Reschedule form with evidence no later than 72 hours after the appointment.

Pearson takes the full fee in the currency of the country where you sit the test, by credit or debit card or by Google Pay or Apple Pay; it does not accept PayPal, and a declined or charged-back payment cancels the booking or the scores (payment policy).

Choose the test, then a centre and a slot at least 24 hours ahead, and pay in myPTE. Your account name must match your passport exactly, middle names in Given names; you can correct details up to 3 days before the test, and a mismatch on the day means no test and no refund (how to book). You can book a retake once your last scores arrive, up to 12 times in 12 months (retake policy).

New Zealand has only seven PTE centres, in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill (PTE centres in New Zealand), so book early if you live elsewhere. Check your level with a free PTE mock test first.