Teaching is one of the largest hiring sectors in Australia and ranks among the top 5 growing industries . This signifies a high demand for teachers now and in the future throughout Australia. In the teaching field, various roles are listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and/or the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills Lists (MLTSSL).
For anyone interested in working with kids, Early Childhood Education is a highly promising field with migration opportunities. Permanent residency pathways like the Subclass 189 visa and the Subclass 190 visa have a substantial number of invitations under this occupation.
Australian universities offer a wide range of courses for training to be an Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher. Once you obtain the degree and meet certain requirements, you could apply for permanent residency through a visa pathway.
Book a free migration consultation today for help if you are considering pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education.
Early Childhood Teachers are in shortage across Australia. On one of Australia’s main job seeking platforms , there are more than 8,000 jobs available. Future migration is about employability, as the migration strategy has emphasised the importance of job. -- Alice Guan, Migration Agent at IDP Melbourne
Book IELTS for Early Childhood Education
What do you do as an Early Childhood Teacher?
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teachers train young students in numeracy, literacy, music, art, and literature while advancing their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.
As educators, they not only shape the future generation but also build strong connections with parents and the broader community. Due to their diverse skill set, Early Childhood Teachers can pursue career growth across various industries such as Education and Training , Health Care and Social Assistance , and Public Administration and Safety .
Why Early Childhood Education?
Teaching is challenging yet highly rewarding. As an Early Childhood Teacher, you'll experience a deep sense of achievement, knowing you're making a positive impact on your students and setting them up for future success as they continue their studies.
Depending on individual situations, Early Childhood Teachers are likely to have a moderate workload and relatively higher earnings compared to industrial benchmarks (inclusive of all occupations). The career also offers higher job security, as education is a stable sector resistant to conditions like economic recessions.
Australian schools and governing bodies offer initiatives and programs throughout the year to support and retain Early Childhood educators. For example, you can explore the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life program . Typically, this involves training and professional development opportunities to enhance your skills.
Paul Wang is a teacher and educator. Having graduated from the University of Melbourne, Paul teaches various subjects including maths, commerce, etc., at different schools within Victoria.
My role gives me a lot of fulfilment as I see the kids grow and explore into the world. I have the opportunity to work with the next generation of Australia, and contribute to the community. The sense of satisfaction is second to none. -- Paul Wang, Early Childhood Teacher
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Migration option and requirements
Due to the ongoing high demand, Early Childhood Teachers can aim for migrations through a range of visa pathways. Applicable visas include:
Subclass 190 visa – Skilled Nominated visa
Subclass 189 visa – Skilled Independent visa
Subclass 491 visa – Skilled Regional visa
Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
Subclass 186 visa – Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Regardless of which pathway you want to choose, to be eligible you must meet the 3 key requirements:
Fulfil the eligibility criteria for one of the available visa options above
Obtain the minimum English language results for Early Childhood Teachers
Get a positive skills assessment from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
AITSL skills assessment
As per the AITSL Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher checklist , an Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher is required to hold a degree qualification and is qualified to teach students aged Birth to 8 years in education programs before and during early primary school years.
If you're an Early Childhood Teacher planning to migrate to Australia, you must undergo a positive skills assessment with the AITSL.
The purpose of the AITSL skills assessment is to determine whether your qualifications and English language proficiency meet the requirements for skilled migration, in one of the nominated school teacher occupations. You'll need to meet both criteria for a successful result.
Before you apply for a teacher skills assessment, we recommend that you read the teacher skills assessment fact sheet and follow the steps outlined by AITSL.
English language requirement for the AITSL skills assessment
As indicated in the AITSL English Language proficiency guidelines, the English language requirement can only be met either through:
Academic IELTS Test Report Form - meet the minimum IELTS Academic scores requirements of:
a study option - showing the completion of a minimum of four years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education (university) level study that results in qualifications
The IELTS test scores must appear on a single IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) and be the result of a test within a 2-year period prior to submitting an application.
Remember that AITSL will only accept an Academic IELTS Test Report Form as proof of your English proficiency. They do not recognise any other English language tests like PTE or TOEFL. Therefore, if you're drawn to a career in early childhood education, it's essential to begin your IELTS preparation as early as possible.
IELTS Academic: Your English test for Early Childhood Education
AITSL accepts IELTS One Skill Retake tests
IELTS One Skill Retake gives you another opportunity to meet your English language requirements without taking a complete IELTS test again. You save money and time by completing one skill only and focusing your preparation on the specific test you need.
Book your IELTS One Skill Retake now !
Any questions? Get in touch with IDP's education counsellor or migration agent for a free consultation .
Study to become an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia
In order to be qualified for skills assessment, typically you need to complete a four-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education). If your bachelor's degree is in a different field, you might be able to work towards a master's degree in teaching or another postgraduate degree/diploma.
Top recommended courses for Early Childhood Teaching:
The University of Sydney
RMIT University
Curtin University
Macquarie University
University of Southern Queensland
Victoria University
It is worth noting that students applying to study a Bachelor of Education in Victoria may be required to take the Casper test , which is an online, open-response situational judgement test (SJT). Check with your University admission team so that you can plan for it if you need to take the test.
IELTS English language requirements for study
Most universities and academic institutions have different requirements when it comes to IELTS scores. The best way to find out about the requirements for the course you’re interested in is to contact the course provider directly.
You can also get in touch with an education counsellor . They have access to information from multiple education providers.
For undergraduate degrees, applicants generally need to take the IELTS Academic test.
Book IELTS Academic for study
Why choose IELTS?
IELTS is the world's most popular English test for a reason. Why choose IELTS?
IELTS is accepted by more universities, colleges, and academic institutions than any other English test. The test is accepted globally by more than 12,000 organisations.
Are you more comfortable with paper or computer? IELTS lets you choose how you want to take your test.
Feel confident on test day with official IELTS preparation materials . They are free and you'll get access to premium materials including webinars, videos, and practice tests.
IELTS is the only major test to offer One Skill Retake . You can now retake any section of the test: Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking. It's perfect if you want to improve on one area instead of redoing a full test. With other tests, you need to book, pay, and sit a full test again.
Ready to get started? Book your IELTS today and take the first step on your journey to living, working, or studying in Australia!
Immigration and the law
Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for changes that may apply to you. If you are interested in Australian student visas , work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent .
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