Who this may suit
Overseas-qualified primary teachers exploring Australian school employment or migration, including teachers already in Australia.
Key considerations
- Primary School Teacher is ANZSCO 241213; early childhood, secondary and specialist teaching have different assessment criteria.
- For points-tested migration, focus on state-nominated 190 and 491 options. Primary teaching is not currently eligible for the 189 points-tested route.
- A positive assessment, registration or school offer does not guarantee a visa.
Start with the primary teaching occupation
AITSL assesses Primary School Teacher, ANZSCO 241213, for teachers qualified to teach children aged 5–12 in primary schools. Match your original teacher education and placement setting to this occupation; a current job title alone is insufficient.
An early childhood qualification is not automatically a primary qualification. Equally, working with younger pupils does not by itself establish that a secondary-trained teacher meets the primary criteria. Where your course spans age groups, identify the relevant components and evidence before choosing an assessment.
Check the university qualification requirements
The July 2026 checklist requires at least four years of completed full-time-equivalent university study. This must include an initial teacher education qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor degree or higher, with at least one year of primary teacher education.
The qualification must include at least 45 days of supervised practice in primary schools with pupils within the 5–12 age range. Other qualifications contributing to the four-year total must be comparable to AQF level 6 or above. Incomplete study and short professional-development courses do not fill the requirement.
Request a useful university placement statement
AITSL requires a signed, dated statement on the awarding university’s letterhead confirming placement duration, pupils’ ages and the school setting. You do not need placements with every age from 5 to 12. Employment after graduation does not replace compulsory, assessed practice within initial teacher education.
Ask the university to check its placement records rather than sending only a school reference. Flag missing dates, unclear age ranges and placements split between preschool and primary settings. Resolve discrepancies before submitting documents.
Plan English evidence for three separate purposes
For AITSL’s study option, you need four full years of qualifying university study in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, including recognised teacher education. Qualifications must meet its degree-level rules; credit transfers and the location of placements can affect eligibility.
The alternative is Academic IELTS: reading and writing at least 7, speaking and listening at least 8, on one Test Report Form from a test within three years before application. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted. AITSL does not accept PTE. Check registration and visa English requirements separately before booking.
Understand the primary teacher skilled-visa options
Primary School Teacher is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List. The relevant points-tested possibilities are subclass 190 Skilled Nominated and the state- or territory-nominated subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional. Under the current lists, this occupation does not support a subclass 189 points-tested application or family-sponsored 491 application.
The 190 is permanent; the 491 is provisional and requires you to live, and undertake any work or study, in designated regional areas. Nomination criteria and available places vary by jurisdiction. A national occupation listing does not mean every state is accepting primary teachers.
You need an eligible occupation, suitable assessment, invitation and evidence supporting your points claims. The 65-point threshold is a minimum, with no guaranteed invitation. Check age, English and other eligibility requirements. An Expression of Interest is not a visa application and does not extend your current stay.
Consider a genuine employer-sponsored role
Primary School Teacher also appears on the Core Skills Occupation List. A suitable school employer may support a Skills in Demand subclass 482 application. The Core Skills stream requires eligible nomination, relevant experience, salary compliance and visa English; check whether a skills assessment is required in your circumstances.
Permanent subclass 186 and regional subclass 494 have separate requirements. Direct Entry 186 generally requires three years of relevant experience, a positive assessment and age under 45, unless an applicable exemption exists. A 494 involves regional employment and its own eligibility rules. A school’s willingness to sponsor is only the starting point, and a temporary visa does not automatically become permanent residence.
Arrange registration and recruitment together
Teacher registration is managed by the authority in the state or territory where you plan to work. AITSL’s migration assessment does not authorise classroom employment. Check the regulator’s qualification, English and suitability requirements alongside school recruitment requirements.
You can apply to AITSL without Australian registration. If you hold provisional or full registration, provide the requested evidence: AITSL may consider it, but it does not guarantee a successful assessment. Confirm registration, visa work conditions and the proposed start date before committing to a contract.
Build a workable application sequence
Prepare a timeline of completed qualifications, placements and employment, with your intended state and current visa expiry date. Keep academic evidence separate from employment references. Request missing university documents early, and arrange accredited translations where needed.
Compare your preferred locations against nomination opportunities and actual school vacancies. Budget separately for assessment, registration, language testing and visa applications. Leave room for evidence requests instead of tying resignation, housing or flights to an assumed decision date.
How we can help
Ausdirect can review your primary teaching qualifications, occupation fit, visa position and proposed employment, then identify evidence gaps and an appropriate order for the separate applications.
Questions to consider
Can a three-year teaching degree be enough by itself?
It does not meet the published four-year study requirement by itself. Review any additional completed university qualifications and whether the relevant teacher-education and placement criteria are met.
Do I need a school sponsor for every route?
No. State-nominated skilled visas and employer-sponsored visas have different arrangements. State nomination is separate from school sponsorship. Compare skilled visa pathways
Can experience make me eligible as a special needs teacher?
Experience alone does not establish the specialist qualification requirement. Check the separate Special Needs Teacher guide if you have relevant completed specialist study. Read the Special Needs Teacher guide
Your next step
Bring a qualification timeline, placement details, current visa position and preferred locations to a consultation. This is general information checked on 17 October 2026; individual eligibility and professional review are still required.