Teachers are in high demand throughout Australia, with the following teaching roles being on the short-term skilled occupation list (STSOL) and/or the medium and long-term strategic skills lists (MLTSSL):
Short-term skilled occupation list only (STSOL)
Medium and long-term skilled occupation list (MLTSSL)
For anyone interested in working with young people, teaching is an attractive pathway to permanent residency. In particular, there are promising migration opportunities and courses for early childhood teachers (pre-primary school) or secondary school teachers.
Book a free migration consultation today for help with your migration pathway.
"The Australian Government will continue to invest in all aspects of teaching, from the earliest years through to university research and international education. There will be a need to fill the gap, giving you more work opportunities in Australia." Alice Guan, Migration agent at IDP Melbourne
Book IELTS for Teaching
Why is teaching a good career path in Australia?
Teaching is a challenging but enriching career. The impact you can have on our future generation is second to none. It's also a relatively stable career option in Australia due to the fact that, unlike some other workplaces, schools remain open during times of economic stress. Teachers in Australia can work in a variety of settings including:
Public schools
Independent (private) schools
Catholic schools
Australian schools are typically highly motivated to retain teachers, with many offering great training and professional development opportunities. With the number of students increasing each year and teachers decreasing due to retirement, there is a great need for new teachers in Australia. Excellent job security and many vacancies in this profession make now a great time to consider teaching as a career.
IELTS for migration
Migration requirements for teachers
Teachers migrating to Australia must:
Fulfil the eligibility criteria for one of the available visa options
Meet the minimum English language requirement for Australian teachers
Pass the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) skills assessment
Available visa options for teachers migrating to Australia
Subclass 190 visa: A skilled nominated visa
Allows you to live and work permanently in Australia
You must have at least 65 points to qualify for this visa
Subclass 189 visa: A skilled independent visa
Allows you to live and work permanently in Australia
You must have at least 65 points to qualify for this visa
This visa is not available for primary school teachers
Subclass 491 visa: A skilled regional visa
Allows you to live and work in a specified regional area of Australia for up to five years
You must have at least 65 points to qualify for this visa
If eligible, you may apply for permanent residency three years from the date your 491 visa is granted
Subclass 494 visa: A skilled, employer nominated temporary visa.
Allows you to live and work in a specified regional area of Australia for up to five years
An employer must nominate you in a regional area
You must be aged under 45 years
You must have a minimum of three years work experience in your nominated occupation
You must meet the health and character requirements
If eligible, you may apply for permanent residency three years from the date your 494 visa is granted.
Subclass 186 visa: A skilled, employer nominated permanent visa.
Allows you to live and work in Australia permanently
Your future employer must nominate you
You must have at least three years of work experience in your nominated occupation
You must be aged under 45 years of age
IELTS requirement for Teachers
Teachers migrating to Australia must have excellent English skills. An IELTS Academic test is required to confirm a visa applicant's English language competency. The minimum IELTS scores required are:
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
If you completed a four-year degree or more in Bachelor of Education in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand or Ireland, you may be exempt from this requirement. Book your IELTS test to receive access to extensive preparation and practice materials including tutorials, quizzes and sample assessments.
AITSL skills assessment
All teachers immigrating to Australia must undergo a mandatory skills assessment provided by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). In order to complete your skills assessment you will need to register online for the AITSL portal, supply any documents they require and pay any associated fees. If successful, you will receive an AITSL certificate which is valid for two years.
IELTS Academic: Your English test for teaching
Study and IELTS requirements to become a teacher in Australia
To become a teacher in Australia you typically need to complete a four-year Bachelor of Education. The most common Bachelor of Education courses are:
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
If you have a bachelor's degree in another discipline, you may instead be able to pursue a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Teaching.
Top recommended universities for teaching courses
The minimum IELTS scores required to study education vary between institutions. The top five universities in Australia offering Bachelor of Education courses are:
Australian Catholic University
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 7.5
Speaking - 7.5
Queensland University of Technology
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 6.5
Reading - 6.0
Writing - 6.0
Listening - 6.0
Speaking - 6.0
University of New England
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Deakin University
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.0
Reading - 6.5
Writing - 6.5
Listening - 6.5
Speaking - 6.5
University of Southern Queensland
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7
Writing - 7
Listening - 8
Speaking - 8
The CASPer test
Students applying to study a Bachelor of Education in Victoria are also required to sit the CASPer test as part of their university application. This test consists of eight video-based scenarios, four text-based scenarios and three open-ended questions. The purpose of the CASPer test is to assess applicants' skills in areas such as:
Communication
Empathy
Problem-solving
Resilience
Free IELTS preparation materials
IELTS requirements for teacher registration by state
Once qualified and in possession of a relevant visa, teachers wishing to migrate to Australia must register with the relevant teaching authority in their state. Each state authority has their own IELTS requirements.
Victoria
Register with: The Victorian Institute of Teaching
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
NSW
Register with: The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Australia Capital Territory
Register with: The ACT Teacher Quality Institute
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Queensland
Register with: The Queensland College of Teachers
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Northern Territory
Register with: The Teacher Registration Board or the Northern Territory
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Western Australia
Register with: The Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 8.0
Listening - 7.0
Speaking - 8.0
South Australia
Register with: The Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Tasmania
Register with: The Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
Overall - 7.5
Reading - 7.0
Writing - 7.0
Listening - 8.0
Speaking - 8.0
Improve your IELTS band score
Employment in the Education and Training industry in Australia
Employment in the Education and Training industry increased over the 20 years to August 2022. Around 8.1% of workers have their main job in this industry. You'll also be happy to know that employment in Education and Training is projected to grow by 149,600 (or 13.4%) over the five years to November 2026.
Most workers are formally qualified, 62% have a university qualification and 20% have a VET qualification. Additionally, more than half of those with their main job in this industry are employed full-time. School Education is the largest sector in the Education and Training industry, employing 52.2% of workers.
Average earnings are $1,250 per week, higher than the "all industries" average of $1,200.
Source: https://labourmarketinsights.gov.au/
Study in Regional Australia
How to prepare for IELTS?
Achieving a great IELTS score takes time and planning. You can’t just book and take your test in a matter of days – no matter how strong your English skills are. Successful test takers create a schedule to help them study everything they need to know before they sit an IELTS test. They make time to practise all four English skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – as they know that each one is different.
If they have trouble with a topic, they attend a FREE Masterclass with an IELTS expert who can teach them how to improve. And, when they’re almost ready to take IELTS, they will complete as many practice tests as they can find.
So, when there are hundreds of resources to help you study, where do you begin? Click here to access your go-to guide to IELTS preparation. All of our most important materials – both free and paid – are listed here, divided by category.
Start preparing now
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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