Who this may suit
Overseas-qualified secondary teachers considering Australian employment or permanent migration, including teachers already in Australia on another visa.
Key considerations
- An AITSL skills assessment, state or territory teacher registration and a visa serve different purposes.
- A job offer, teaching qualification or positive assessment does not guarantee nomination, an invitation or a visa.
- Compare the requirements for your actual qualifications, teaching duties, age, English evidence and preferred location.
Check the secondary teacher assessment requirements
AITSL assesses Secondary School Teacher, ANZSCO 241411, for migration. Its current checklist requires at least four years of completed university-level study, including a relevant initial teacher education qualification. That qualification must be comparable to an Australian bachelor degree or higher and include at least one year of full-time-equivalent secondary teacher education.
The checklist also requires at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice in secondary schools with students within the 13–18 age range. AITSL explains that you do not need to have taught every age within that range.
Get the right evidence of teaching practice
Ask the awarding university for an official, signed and dated statement recording the placement duration, students’ ages and school setting. An employer reference or a supervising teacher’s placement report is not the same evidence. Ordinary work experience before or after the teaching qualification does not count as supervised teaching practice for this requirement.
Request this early, particularly if your university has changed its name or merged. Keep a clear record of which institution awarded each qualification and where you completed the placements.
Separate AITSL English evidence from visa English
AITSL’s study option requires four full years of qualifying higher education in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, including recognised initial teacher education. Study location, qualification level and credit transfers matter; citizenship alone does not establish this option.
Alternatively, the July 2026 checklist specifies Academic IELTS scores of at least 7 in reading and writing and 8 in speaking and listening, on one Test Report Form, from a test taken within the three years before applying. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted. AITSL does not accept PTE as an alternative test. Check the separate English requirements for your visa and registration authority before booking an examination.
Compare skilled and employer-sponsored visas
Points-tested routes to consider include subclass 189 Skilled Independent, subclass 190 Skilled Nominated and subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional. The 190 requires state or territory nomination; the 491 requires nomination or eligible family sponsorship and involves regional conditions. Check current occupation eligibility and the chosen jurisdiction’s nomination criteria.
For points-tested migration, 65 points is a minimum threshold, not a promised invitation score. Age, skills assessment, English and evidence supporting each points claim also matter. Submitting a SkillSelect Expression of Interest is not a visa application and does not give you a bridging visa.
With a suitable employer, compare the Skills in Demand subclass 482, permanent Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 and regional subclass 494. These have different nomination, employment, salary and applicant requirements. A 482 does not automatically become permanent residence, and assessment requirements depend on the visa and stream rather than a blanket rule for all teachers.
Arrange registration before starting teaching work
Teacher registration is managed by each state or territory’s regulatory authority. Check the authority where you intend to teach and any employer-specific appointment requirements. AITSL assessment does not itself authorise classroom employment, and visa work rights do not replace registration.
You can apply to AITSL without Australian registration. If you already hold provisional or full registration, disclose it and supply the requested evidence: AITSL can consider it under its published assessment arrangements, but registration alone does not guarantee a positive assessment.
Prepare a practical migration file
Start with your passport, qualification certificates, complete transcripts, placement statement, English evidence and employment history. Add current registration documents and any proposed school contract. Record visa expiry dates and preferred states or regions so advice addresses both eligibility and timing.
Resolve missing evidence before relying on a projected points score or employment start date. Keep recruitment discussions realistic while assessment, registration and visa decisions remain outstanding.
How we can help
Ausdirect can review the relationship between your teaching qualifications, migration assessment, visa options and proposed employment. The aim is a clear application sequence with evidence gaps identified before you commit to a move.
Questions to consider
Do I need a school sponsor?
Employer-sponsored routes need an eligible employer. Points-tested routes have different arrangements, so a school sponsor is not required for every migration option. Compare skilled visa pathways
Can I teach while holding another visa?
Possibly, if its work conditions allow the proposed employment and you satisfy registration and appointment requirements. Check your actual visa conditions before accepting work.
Is this an individual eligibility assessment?
No. This is general information checked on 17 October 2026. Your qualifications, evidence and circumstances need individual review.
Your next step
Prepare a short qualification and employment timeline, your current visa position and preferred teaching locations for a consultation. Arrange secure sharing before sending identity documents.