To work as a teacher in Australia, you need to meet several professional, academic, and immigration requirements. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Qualifications
- A minimum of a 4-year degree in education (such as a Bachelor of Education), or
- A degree in another field + a postgraduate teaching qualification (e.g., Graduate Diploma or Master of Teaching).
- The degree must be recognized by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
2. Teacher Accreditation / Registration
- All teachers must be registered with the state or territory teacher regulatory authority where they intend to work.
Examples: - Victoria → Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
- New South Wales → NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
- Queensland → Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
- Registration usually requires:
- Verified qualifications
- Proof of English language proficiency (usually IELTS Academic with a high score, often 7.5+ in speaking/listening and no band below 7.0)
- A Working With Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent police clearance.
3. Skills Assessment (For Migration Purposes)
- If you plan to migrate under a skilled visa, you must complete a skills assessment by AITSL.
Requirements include: - At least 4 years of higher education study with a focus on teaching.
- A minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice in a school setting.
- English test results (IELTS Academic or equivalent).
4. Visa Pathways
Some common visas for teachers include:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) – no sponsorship required.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – requires state/territory nomination.
- Employer-Sponsored Visas (Subclass 482, 186) – requires a school/employer to sponsor you.
Teachers are currently on the Skilled Occupation List, which increases chances for migration.
5. Additional Requirements
- Good character and health checks (police clearance and medical exam).
- Evidence of teaching experience (not always mandatory, but highly beneficial).
- Commitment to ongoing professional development once registered.
✅ In short: You’ll need recognized teaching qualifications, teacher registration, proof of English proficiency, a positive skills assessment (AITSL), and the right visa.
