Last updated: 1 April 2026

Australia PR for Teachers: Complete Pathway Guide

Australia faces a persistent and growing shortage of qualified teachers across primary, secondary, and early childhood education. The shortage is particularly acute in regional and remote areas, and in secondary subjects including mathematics, science, technology, and special education. For qualified teachers considering permanent residency, Australia offers multiple visa pathways, active state nomination programs, and a skills assessment process managed by AITSL that is structured and well-documented.

This guide covers every step of the PR process for teachers: which ANZSCO codes apply, the AITSL skills assessment, visa pathway options, points estimates, state nomination strategies, costs, and a realistic timeline from start to finish.

Can Teachers Get Australia PR?

Yes. Teaching occupations are included on Australia’s skilled occupation lists and have been consistently nominated by state and territory governments for years. The structural shortage of teachers in Australia is driven by several factors: an ageing teaching workforce with significant retirement projections, growing school enrolments, increasing demand for specialist teachers in STEM subjects and special education, and difficulty attracting domestic graduates to regional and remote schools.

Secondary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241411) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), providing access to all major visa pathways: the subclass 189 visa (Skilled Independent), the subclass 190 visa (State Nominated), the subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional), and the subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa. Primary School Teacher and Early Childhood Teacher are also on the MLTSSL, giving teachers across all levels broad eligibility.

Unlike some occupations where invitation scores have inflated to 90 or above, teaching occupations generally receive invitations at more moderate points thresholds. This makes teaching one of the more accessible occupations for PR, particularly when combined with state nomination. Teachers willing to work in regional areas have an even stronger position, as regional demand significantly exceeds supply.

The key requirements are a positive skills assessment from AITSL, meeting the high English language requirements specific to teaching, and a points total that meets current invitation thresholds. Teachers who fulfil these criteria have a realistic pathway to PR, often within 12 to 18 months of beginning the process.

ANZSCO Codes for Teachers

Your ANZSCO code determines which visa pathways and state nomination programs you can access. The following teaching occupations are on the skilled occupation lists as of the 2025-26 program year.

Secondary School Teacher (241411) is the most commonly nominated teaching occupation and typically receives the highest number of invitations. However, Early Childhood Teacher and Special Needs Teacher are increasingly in demand due to government policy expansions in early childhood education and inclusive education mandates.

If you teach a specialist subject at the secondary level (such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, or information technology), your nomination still falls under 241411 but your subject specialisation can strengthen your state nomination application significantly.

Which Visa Pathway Suits Teachers?

Teachers have access to the full range of skilled visa pathways. The right choice depends on your points score, subject specialisation, and willingness to work in specific locations.

The subclass 189 is achievable for teachers with competitive points scores. Teaching occupations are not subject to pro-rata arrangements, which means invitation scores tend to be lower and more predictable than for IT or accounting occupations. A teacher with 70-75 points has a strong chance of receiving a 189 invitation.

The subclass 190 is particularly strong for teachers because state governments are the primary employers of teachers and have a direct interest in filling shortages. States actively nominate teachers, especially those in shortage subject areas. The 5-point nomination bonus often provides the margin needed for an invitation.

The subclass 491 regional visa is an excellent pathway for teachers willing to work in regional schools. Regional Australia has the most severe teacher shortages, and state nomination for the 491 is often easier to obtain than for the 190 in metropolitan areas. The 15-point bonus makes the 491 accessible to teachers with moderate points scores.

Employer sponsorship through the subclass 186 is available to teachers employed by Australian schools willing to act as sponsors. This pathway bypasses the points test entirely and is particularly relevant for teachers who enter Australia on a 482 temporary skill shortage visa.

AITSL Skills Assessment for Teachers

The assessing authority for all teaching occupations is the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). AITSL assesses whether your qualifications and professional experience meet the requirements for teacher registration in Australia.

What AITSL assesses:

• Your teaching qualification is at least a 4-year tertiary degree (or a 3-year degree plus a postgraduate teaching qualification)
• You have completed a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice (practicum)
• Your qualification includes study in at least one teaching content area relevant to the Australian Curriculum
• Your English language proficiency meets the requirements for teacher registration

English language requirements for AITSL:

These English requirements are among the highest of any occupation in the Australian skilled migration system. The speaking and listening requirements are particularly demanding. Many teachers need multiple test attempts to achieve the required scores, particularly in the speaking and listening components.

Assessment costs and processing:

Documentation required:

• Certified copies of teaching qualifications and full academic transcripts
• Evidence of supervised teaching practicum (minimum 45 days)
• Employment references detailing teaching duties and subjects taught
• English language test results meeting AITSL minimums
• Passport identification pages
• Curriculum vitae detailing teaching career

Allow 4 to 5 months from the time you begin gathering documents to the time you receive a positive assessment. Start preparing employment references and gathering practicum evidence early, as these are the most common sources of delays.

Points Estimate for Teachers

A typical secondary school teacher applicant aged 30 with 5 years of overseas teaching experience, a bachelor of education, and the required AITSL English scores can expect the following breakdown.

Teachers have a natural advantage in the English language category. Because AITSL requires IELTS 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in reading and writing (overall 7.5), most teachers who pass the AITSL assessment automatically qualify for Superior English (20 points) on the points test, rather than just Proficient (10 points). This gives teachers a 10-point head start over many other occupations where the assessment body only requires Competent or Proficient English.

Key points levers for teachers:

• English: Teachers typically score 20 points for Superior English due to AITSL’s high requirements. If you meet AITSL’s threshold, you almost certainly meet the Superior English threshold.
• Australian experience: Teaching in Australia on a temporary visa adds 5 points for 1 year and up to 20 points for 8 or more years.
• State nomination: The 190 adds 5 points; the 491 adds 15 points. Combined with the English advantage, teachers reach competitive thresholds more easily than many other occupations.

State Nomination Options for Teachers

All Australian states and territories nominate teaching occupations, with particular emphasis on shortage subjects and regional placements.

South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory are the most accessible for teachers with moderate points scores. These jurisdictions face the most acute teacher shortages and have nomination criteria that are achievable for applicants with 65-70 points. Teachers willing to commit to regional or remote school placements have the strongest prospects.

Secondary teachers in mathematics, science, technology, and special education are in particularly high demand. If you specialise in one of these subjects, your state nomination application is significantly strengthened regardless of which state you target.

Cost and Timeline

The end-to-end cost and timeline for a teacher applying for PR through the skilled migration pathway.

These costs do not include migration agent fees (typically $2,000 to $5,000 if used) or relocation expenses. Teachers also need to budget for state teaching registration, which is separate from the AITSL assessment and varies by state. The timeline assumes you begin English test preparation concurrently with document gathering.

Step-by-Step Process for Teachers

1. Confirm your occupation is listed. Verify that your teaching specialisation corresponds to an ANZSCO code on the MLTSSL. Check whether you qualify as a Secondary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, or Special Needs Teacher based on your qualifications and experience.

2. Sit your English test. AITSL requires IELTS 7.5 overall with 8.0 in speaking and listening, 7.0 in reading and writing (or PTE equivalent). This is higher than most occupations. Book your test early and allow time for re-sits. Many teachers require 2 to 3 attempts to achieve the speaking and listening scores.

3. Apply for AITSL skills assessment. Gather certified copies of your teaching qualifications, full transcripts, evidence of teaching practicum (minimum 45 days supervised), and employment references. Submit through the AITSL online portal.

4. Begin state teaching registration in your target state or territory. This process is separate from AITSL and is managed by each state’s teacher regulatory authority (e.g., NESA in NSW, VIT in Victoria). Registration is typically required before you can be employed in Australian schools.

5. Calculate your points score. Include only points you can document. Teachers typically benefit from the high English requirement, as meeting AITSL’s threshold usually qualifies for Superior English (20 points).

6. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. Select the visa subclass (189, 190, or 491) and your nominated occupation. Your EOI enters the invitation pool.

7. Apply for state nomination if targeting the 190 or 491. Emphasise your subject specialisation and willingness to work in shortage areas. States value teachers who commit to regional placements.

8. Receive an invitation and lodge your visa application. You have 60 days from invitation to lodge. Submit all supporting documents including health checks, police clearances, and Working with Children Checks.

9. Await visa grant. Processing times are typically 6 to 12 months for straightforward teaching applications. If you are in Australia on a temporary visa, continue working while your application is processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can teachers get PR in Australia without Australian teaching experience? Yes. Teachers can apply for the subclass 189, 190, or 491 visa with only overseas teaching experience. You need a positive skills assessment from AITSL and a competitive points score. Australian experience is not mandatory for the visa application, but many state nomination programs prefer candidates who are already working in Australian schools.

How long does the AITSL skills assessment take? AITSL assessments typically take 10 to 16 weeks from the date a complete application is received. Processing can be longer during peak periods. Incomplete applications are a common cause of delays. Ensure all qualifications, transcripts, evidence of teaching practicum, and English test results are included at the time of submission.

Do teachers need Australian teaching registration for PR? Australian teaching registration is not a formal requirement for the visa application itself. However, AITSL assesses whether your qualifications meet the requirements for registration in Australia, and all state teacher regulatory authorities require registration before you can teach. In practice, you should begin the registration process in your target state alongside or shortly after your AITSL assessment.

Which Australian state is best for teacher PR applications? States with the highest teacher demand and most accessible nomination criteria include South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and regional areas of Queensland and Western Australia. These regions face persistent teacher shortages, particularly in secondary subjects such as mathematics, science, and special education.

What English score do teachers need for Australian PR? Teachers must meet AITSL’s English language requirements, which are among the highest of any occupation. AITSL requires a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 overall with at least 8.0 in speaking and listening, and 7.0 in reading and writing. This is separate from points test English scores, but meeting it typically qualifies you for Superior English (20 points).

Are early childhood teachers eligible for Australian PR? Yes. Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111) is on the MLTSSL, which means it is eligible for the 189, 190, 491, and 186 visas. Early childhood teachers are in high demand due to expanded government childcare and preschool programs.

Can I teach in Australia while waiting for my PR visa to be processed? If you are in Australia on a temporary visa that permits work (such as a 482, 485, or bridging visa with work rights), you can teach while your PR application is being processed. You will need current teacher registration in the state or territory where you intend to work.

Next Steps

• Australian permanent residency overview
• Australia PR requirements
• Subclass 189 visa details
• Subclass 190 visa details
• Subclass 491 visa details
• Fastest way to get PR in Australia