Teachers can apply for visas allowing migration to Australia under the general skilled program using visa subclass 189, 190, or 489.
In common with all general skilled visa applications teachers must secure a positive migration skills assessment before they can progress a skilled visa application with the Department of Immigration.
The body that has the authority to assess teachers for the purpose of migration to Australia is the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, or the AITSL.
Occupations that are included under the Teacher category are:
- Early childhood (Pre-primary school) teacher (ANZSCO code 241111)
- Primary school teacher (ANZSCO code 241213)
- Middle school teacher (ANZSCO code 241311)
- Secondary school teacher (ANZSCO code 241411)
- Special needs teacher (ANZSCO code 241511)
- Teacher of the hearing impaired (ANZSCO code241512)
- Teacher of the sight impaired (ANZSCO code 241513)
- Special education teachers not elsewhere classified (ANZSCO code 241599)
The benchmark for a positive migration skills assessment from the AITSL is a minimum of four years full time higher education level study where one of those years involved completion of an initial teacher education qualification. For example, a three year Bachelor of Science degree and a one year Post Graduate Diploma in Education.
An initial teacher education qualification is required to teach in an early childhood (pre-primary school), primary or secondary school classroom. The initial teacher education qualification must involve at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) and be specific to the stage of schooling of the nominated occupation. The final academic transcript for the initial teacher qualification must include a program of professional studies in education including discipline-specific curriculum, pedagogical studies, general education studies and supervised teaching practice relevant to the age range of the students for the occupation you have nominated.
GM Skilled brings together the knowledge and experience from Go Matilda Visas in the area of Australian visa strategy.
We are the preferred solution for teachers who want to move to Australia: as a firm of migration advisors we have been helping teachers move to Australia since 2001.
We have offices in Australia and the UK – and our systems are integrated, which means we can communicate easily with you and can follow up any issues arising on your behalf in Australia.
We work with our clients on the basis of a wish to have a long term relationship based on our expertise, trust and a quality service.
Our fees are fixed in amount, are agreed up front, and are payable in stages.
If you are a teacher, want to give yourself the best chance of securing a positive Australian visa outcome, and would like to discuss your options please contact your nearest GM Skilled office or complete the form on this page for a free initial discussion.
After we have spoken we can send a no obligation fixed fee proposal to you.
We look forward to hearing from you.
