Teachers: How to Get Registered & Migrate to Australia 2026

Why Teachers Have Priority for Australian Visas

The Department of Home Affairs operates a Four-Tier priority system for visa processing. Teachers benefit significantly from this structure:

Key Advantage: Teachers are effectively "next in line" after healthcare workers. While other professions require 95+ points, teachers are regularly invited at 75-85 points.

Teacher Occupations on Australia's Skilled Occupation List

Key Point: Primary and Secondary School Teachers qualify for the independent 189 visa-meaning you can apply for PR without state nomination or employer sponsorship.

AITSL Skills Assessment: The First Step

Before applying for any skilled visa, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). This is non-negotiable for migration purposes.

AITSL Requirements Checklist

Qualification Pathways That Meet AITSL Standards

AITSL accepts various qualification structures:

1. 4-Year Bachelor of Education - Full teaching degree including practicum
2. 3-Year Bachelor + 1-Year Graduate Diploma of Education - Any undergraduate degree plus PGCE/PGDE
3. Bachelor + Master of Teaching - Any undergraduate degree followed by a teaching master's

⚠️ Critical: Work experience does NOT count toward the 45-day supervised teaching practice requirement. This must be completed as part of your formal teaching qualification. A teacher with a 3-year diploma and 10 years of experience will be rejected.

The 45-Day Supervised Teaching Practice (STP) Requirement

This is the most common cause of assessment failure. AITSL mandates strict evidence:

What Counts:

• Supervised practice in a school setting with school-aged students
• Supervision by a qualified teacher AND university representative
• Official university letter stating exact days, age range, and school setting

What Does NOT Count:

• ❌ Work experience (paid or unpaid)
• ❌ Teaching assistant or aide roles
• ❌ "On-the-job" training where you were the teacher of record
• ❌ University peer teaching or tutoring
• ❌ Generic transcripts saying "Practicum: Pass" without specifics

Evidence Standard: You need an official letter on university letterhead, signed by the Registrar, stating the exact number of days, age range of students, and school setting.

English Language Requirements: The IELTS Academic Necessity

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: AITSL does NOT accept PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, or any other English test. Only IELTS Academic is accepted.

The PTE Trap: Many applicants take PTE Academic to get 20 visa points (easier to score 79 in writing). While this works for the visa, you'll need to sit IELTS Academic anyway for AITSL assessment and state registration. Take IELTS Academic from the start. For a comprehensive comparison of all English tests accepted for migration purposes-and why teachers face this unique constraint-see our English Test Comparison Guide.

IELTS One Skill Retake: A Lifeline

Both AITSL and VIT now accept the IELTS One Skill Retake:

• If you score 8.0/8.0/7.0/6.5, you can retake only Writing to achieve 7.0
• Must be completed within 60 days of the original test
• Costs less than a full retest

Exemptions: You may be exempt from English testing if you completed:

• At least 4 years of higher education taught entirely in English, in an English-speaking country (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia)

Early Childhood Teachers: ACECQA Assessment

Important Change: From 7 December 2024, the assessing authority for Early Childhood Teachers (ANZSCO 241111) is the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), not AITSL.

The "Birth to 5 Years" Mandate

ACECQA's primary focus is the Birth to 5 Years (pre-primary) spectrum, not "Birth to 8 Years."

Risk: Degrees that are primarily "Primary Education" with a minor in Early Years often fail if content is heavily weighted toward the 5-8 age group.

The "0-3 Years" Placement Trap

ACECQA enforces a specific breakdown of the placement requirement:

⚠️ Common Failure: UK/Irish teachers with "Early Years" PGCE who completed placements in Reception (age 4) and Year 1 (age 5) will fail because they lack the mandated 10 days with the 0-2 age group.

ACECQA Remediation Pathway

Unlike AITSL, ACECQA offers a remediation option:

• Demonstrate "Birth to under 3" component through 3-6 months full-time work experience with that age group
• OR complete an approved Certificate III qualification covering infant care

State Teacher Registration: Where Do You Want to Teach?

After obtaining your skills assessment, you'll need to register with the state where you intend to work. Each state has its own regulatory body with different requirements.

State Registration Bodies

Victoria: VIT Pre-Assessment (From July 2025)

From 1 July 2025: Overseas-trained teachers must complete a mandatory Pre-Assessment before applying for registration.

Identity Verification: Upon arrival, provide a Commencement of Identity document (Visa Grant Notice or passport with entry stamp).

Strategic Value: Complete the pre-assessment offshore to de-risk your arrival. It serves as a "registration readiness" check.

NSW: NESA Accreditation & Subject Content Knowledge

NESA is particularly strict regarding Subject Content Knowledge (SCK) for secondary teachers.

The SCK Rule: To teach a specific subject (e.g., Mathematics, History), your university transcript must show a specific number of credit points in that discipline.

Risk: A teacher with a general "Bachelor of Education (Secondary)" who didn't major/minor heavily in a specific subject may be:

• Accredited but restricted in what they can teach
• Directed to complete further study to meet SCK requirements

Tip: Submit transcripts via My eQuals or Parchment to identify any SCK gaps before arrival.

Mutual Recognition Strategy

The Mutual Recognition Act 1992 allows teachers registered in one Australian state (or New Zealand) to transfer registration to another state.

Strategic Use: If you struggle with one state's requirements (e.g., NESA's SCK rules), consider:

1. Register first in a state with more flexible assessment (like WA or QLD)
2. Use Mutual Recognition to transfer to NSW or Victoria after arriving

Note: Conditions on the original registration (e.g., "provisional") usually transfer with you.

Visa Pathways for Teachers

Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa

The 189 visa is ideal for teachers because primary and secondary school teachers are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Key Features:

• No employer or state sponsorship required
• Points-tested (minimum 65 points)
• Permanent residency from day one
• Work anywhere in Australia
• Teachers typically invited at 75-85 points

Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa

The 190 visa requires nomination by a state or territory government.

Key Features:

• 5 additional points for state nomination
• Permanent residency
• Commitment to live in nominating state for 2 years

State Nomination Allocations (2025-2026):

• NSW: ~3,600 places, teachers often invited at base-level scores
• Victoria: Registration of Interest (ROI) system, heavily favors teachers, waives proof of funds for onshore applicants
• WA: Priority processing for those with employment contracts

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional Visa

The 491 visa is a regional pathway that leads to permanent residency (subclass 191) after 3 years.

Key Features:

• 15 additional points for regional nomination
• Must live in a designated regional area
• Pathway to PR after 3 years

"Regional" Definition (2026): Everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This includes Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and all regional areas.

Why Consider 491? If your points are below 80, the 491 gives you +15 points instantly, making you highly competitive. Plus, the financial incentives in regional areas are substantial.

Financial Incentives: Getting Paid to Teach Regionally

Australian governments are offering record incentives for teachers willing to work in regional and hard-to-staff areas.

NSW Rural Teacher Incentives

A first-year teacher in a remote NSW town can effectively earn a package worth over $110,000 AUD.

Victoria Location Incentives (Early Childhood Focus)

Payments are milestone-based (25% on signing, 25% after 1 year, etc.) to ensure retention.

Queensland & WA

• Queensland: Beginning Teacher Support Payment up to $20,000 over 4 years
• Western Australia: Remote allowances often exceeding $20,000/year in Pilbara/Kimberley

Salary Expectations

Points Calculation for Teachers

Reaching the Safe Zone (75-80 Points)

Strategy 1: Superior English

• Age 28: 30 + Education: 15 + IELTS 8.0 all: 20 + 190 Nomination: 5 = 70 points ✅

Strategy 2: Regional Pathway

• Age 28: 30 + Education: 15 + IELTS 7/7/8/8: 10 + 491 Nomination: 15 = 70 points ✅

Strategy 3: Partner Points

• If your partner has a skills assessment (any field) + Competent English: +10 points

The Two-Step Process: Skills Assessment + Registration

Sequence:

1. Obtain skills assessment for visa purposes
2. Apply for your chosen visa
3. Upon arrival (or before for VIT pre-assessment), apply for state registration
4. Begin teaching once registered

What You Should Do Now

Recommendation Checklist for 2026 Applicants

1. ✅ Prioritise IELTS Academic - It's the only test covering AITSL, ACECQA, and all state bodies
2. ✅ Audit Your Placements - Get exact dates and age groups documented on university letterhead
3. ✅ Target the 491 Visa - If points <80, look to Regional NSW, WA, or SA
4. ✅ Complete VIT Pre-Assessment - Do this offshore if heading to Victoria
5. ✅ Secure Your SCK - Secondary teachers: ensure your transcript shows credits in your teaching subject

If You're Overseas

1. Gather your documents: Transcripts, degree certificates, practicum reports with exact details
2. Take IELTS Academic: Aim for 7/7/8/8 minimum; use One Skill Retake if needed
3. Apply for AITSL/ACECQA assessment: Allow 10-12 weeks processing
4. Research state registration: Complete VIT pre-assessment if targeting Victoria
5. Calculate your points: Target 75-80 for safe invitation
6. Submit EOI: Once you have your skills assessment

If You're Already in Australia

1. Check your visa conditions: Ensure you can work
2. Apply for state registration: In your intended state
3. Obtain WWCC: Working with Children Check
4. Apply to schools: Government and private schools are hiring

How First Migration Can Help

Navigating the dual requirements of skills assessment and state registration-while managing complicated English test requirements-can be complex. Different states have different requirements, and the IELTS-only rule catches many applicants off guard.

At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents can help you:

• Assess your eligibility for different visa pathways
• Navigate the AITSL/ACECQA skills assessment process
• Understand state-specific registration requirements
• Maximise your points score with strategic advice
• Manage your visa application from start to finish

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.