Early Childhood Educator to Australian PR: Pathway, Requirements and Invitation Points

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Early Childhood Educator to PR in Australia: PR Pathway, Requirements & Latest Points (2025)

Who this is for: International and locally-trained early childhood teachers and pre-primary educators aiming for Australian permanent residency. This guide details the practical route from qualification to PR, occupation-specific requirements, and the latest 189/190 invitation point benchmarks.

Why Early Childhood Education?

Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teachers remain in high demand across Australia and are prioritised nationally, making this one of the most accessible skilled migration pathways with consistent PR options.

Step-by-Step Pathway

1. Obtain an Approved Qualification

• Complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Early Childhood Education, or a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching.
• If you studied in Australia, ensure your course is CRICOS-approved and on the ACECQA-approved list.
• Overseas qualifications must be assessed as equivalent by ACECQA or the relevant skills assessment authority.

2. Get Your Skills Assessed

• Apply for a skills assessment through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
• You’ll need qualification transcripts, evidence of supervised teaching, and proof of English proficiency (usually Academic IELTS 7.0 in each band or equivalent).
• AITSL will only issue a positive assessment if both educational and English requirements are fully met.

3. Meet Points Test Factors

• The minimum for points-tested skilled migration remains 65, but in practice, higher scores are needed for a solid chance of invitation.
• Boost your points for:
  • Age (max points for 25–32 years)
  • English level (Proficient or Superior)
  • Skilled employment (Australia and/or overseas)
  • Higher qualifications (especially from Australia)
  • Partner skills or single status
  • Additional factors like regional study, NAATI CCL, and Professional Year

4. Expression of Interest (EOI) & State Nomination

• Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect for subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (State Nominated), or 491 (Regional Provisional).
• Most states (VIC, NSW, SA, WA etc.) continue to list Early Childhood Teachers as a high priority. State nomination typically requires evidence of registration or eligibility, ongoing employment, and in many cases, residency and/or work experience in the relevant state.
• Employer sponsorship (e.g., Skills in Demand 482 visa) is also available as a bridging or parallel pathway.

5. Invitation & Visa Application

• If invited, gather and submit all required documents promptly: ID, skills assessment, English results, employment evidence, and state nomination if relevant.
• Maintain valid work rights throughout visa processing.

Latest 189 & 190 Invitation Points for Early Childhood Teachers

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent):
  • Most invitations in 2025 have gone to candidates with 85 points or more.
  • While 65 is still the minimum threshold, practical cut-offs for Early Childhood Teachers are 85 and above.
• Subclass 190 (State Nominated PR):
  • Invitations usually occur at 85–90 points (after the state’s 5-point nomination boost).
  • Occasionally, lower-point candidates are invited, but higher points offer much better prospects, especially in popular states like Victoria and NSW.
  • States may require proof of offer/employment, registration, and a commitment to reside/work in that state.

Tip: Aim for at least 85 points in your EOI to maximise your invitation prospects. Set reminders to update your EOI and track invitation rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can graduates apply right after finishing their degree?
You’ll need a positive AITSL skills assessment and to meet all English and practical placement requirements first.

Does work experience in childcare count?
Only experience matching the Early Childhood Teacher ANZSCO, not just general child care work, will count towards employment requirements and registration.

Is this pathway open to both offshore and onshore applicants?
Yes, but most states currently focus on onshore applicants due to workforce shortages.

Practical Checklist

• CRICOS/ACECQA-approved qualification
• Positive AITSL skills assessment
• English test (IELTS 7 Academic or equivalent)
• Points check (aiming for 85+)
• Lodge EOI and relevant state nomination
• Meet state and/or employer-specific requirements
• Prepare complete documents for your visa application

Recommendation: Seek personalised migration advice early and monitor changes in state and federal nomination rules. Early Childhood Teachers remain one of Australia’s most in-demand and successful PR pathways in 2025.

For a free eligibility check, book a consultation or request a points/skills strategy with our team.