Immigrating and working in Australia as a teacher is an aspiration for many educators. This guide outlines the steps and requirements, offering valuable insights into the process of pursuing a teaching career Down Under.
How to Immigrate to Australia as a Teacher?
You can move to Australia to work as a teacher in two distinct ways.
- Apply through AITSL
- Apply through ACECQA
These two organizations are associated with Australia’s education system, and both offer possibilities for competent instructors, both domestic and international, to teach in the country.
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How to Migrate to Australia as a Teacher through AITSL?
AITSL is an abbreviation for the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership.
You register online using the application portal. The information will be saved in its database so that it can simply examine the forms and documents you need to submit. They may also want an original copy in specific situations. You will also be provided a checklist of papers to submit or not submit during the application process. After everything is completed, the procedure typically takes 2 to 6 months. If everything goes well, you will be given an assessment certificate.
Following a comprehensive evaluation, you will be required to submit an Expression of Interest. Overall, it takes around 1 to 2 years from the beginning to the conclusion when you ultimately go to Australia to work.
To begin the application procedure, go to the AITSL website. Following your arrival at the website, follow these steps:
- Select the Migrate to Australia option.
- There will be a pull-down menu. Select Applicant Portal.
- Go to a login page. However, to log in, you must first have registered. Click on it.
- You may now log in after creating a username and password.
- After that, you’ll be brought to an application dashboard where you may examine critical information such as the application date and status.
- Select Start New Application.
- Choose an occupation
- Enter the applicant’s information.
- Enter your qualifications.
- Enter your English Language Proficiency.
- Examine the application
- Pay and submit your application.
Who Can Apply through AITSL?
If you work in any of the following specified vocations, you can apply as a migrant teacher through AITSL:
- Teacher of early childhood (pre-primary school)
- Teacher of primary school
- Middle school educator
- Secondary school instructor
- Special education teacher
- Hearing-impaired educator
- Teachers of the visually impaired
For instance, if you wish to apply as a secondary school teacher, you can use this tab in the application’s Select occupation section. Secondary school teachers instruct students aged 13 to 18 at secondary schools.
Applicant Details and Qualifications
You must provide various pieces of personal information under the application details tab, including the following:
- Name
- The year of birth
- The email address
- Home address
- Official passport name
- Teacher identification number
- If appropriate, the previous AITSL Assessment number
You will also be needed to verify your identification, which may include pdf, jpg, or jpeg versions, as well as other file types, of the following documents:
- A page for Passport Identification
- Other forms of identification
- If necessary, proof of name change.
- You will also be required to attach documentation proving your qualifications, such as work experience and other applicable awards and training.
General Requirements Needed
You will know what more you need to upload after you create an account on the website. The webpage is really user-friendly. AITSL will require the following documentation from you:
- Educational prerequisites (Final award and Academic transcript)
- Professional prerequisites
- Demonstration of monitored teaching practice
- Other documents
English Language Proficiency
Taking and passing an English language competency exam is a key element of the application process. Obviously, great communication skills are required to be an excellent teacher in Australia.
To apply as a migrant teacher through AITSL, you must just take the IELTS English language exam. While alternative English examinations are available, such as the TOEFL, Cambridge, or PTE, the AITSL does not accept them in this circumstance. The IELTS English exam comprises four bands:
- Writing
- Reading
- Speaking
- Listening
To be eligible for the AITSL, you must have the following scores:
- A minimum of 7.0 is required for reading.
- A minimum of 7.0 is required for writing.
- A minimum of 8.0 is required for speaking.
- A minimum of 8.0 is required for listening.
Having stated that, these IELTS are not insurmountable, and with the correct amount of drive and commitment, you can indeed study and revise for these examinations.
How to Migrate to Australia as a Teacher through ACECQA?
ACECQA is an abbreviation for the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority. ACECQA is primarily responsible for overseeing the implementation of Australia’s National Quality Framework for children’s care and education.
You can start by taking the Migration skills examination on the website. This page is designed exclusively for persons seeking to enter Australia using a skilled migration visa.
Essentially, the migration skills evaluation considers the following:
- Qualifications in early childhood education and care
- Previous work experience
ACECQA will next evaluate your credentials to the assessment requirements necessary for the type of job you are applying for. Furthermore, ACECQA is the authority for the following jobs:
- Child Care Centre Manager
- Child Care Worker
Who is Qualified for the ACECQA Migration Skills assessment?
According to the ACECQA website, you are eligible for a migration skills assessment if you satisfy the following requirements:
- Your occupation is included in the Department of Home Affairs’ Skilled Occupations list.
- Your job is related to your credentials.
- Your profession is linked to your job.
Steps in Applying for the ACECQA Assessment
The following are the actions you must take to apply for assessment:
- The ACECQA website offers two versions of the skills assessment application guidelines: one for childcare center managers and one for childcare workers. Read the one related to you. You can seek general advice about the application process and assessment standards before lodging your application if you are concerned that you might not meet these standards after reading the guidelines.
- Gather the required documentation. (listed below)
- Submit an online application and pay the required costs.
The following papers should be prepared:
- The legitimate passport’s identity page
- Proof of a name change (if applicable)
- Official documentation for your qualification/s
- Final academic document for your certification or qualifications
- Employer recommendation
- Working experience
- Form for applicant declaration and agreement
- Form for approved representative declaration and permission
- Declaration and agreement form for migration agents
- Evidence of proficiency in the English language
Following your application, which takes around 40 minutes, you will be required to pay an application fee of $1,100 AUD for a migration skills assessment.
Getting the ACECQA Assessment Results
ACECQA will send you an email 10 working days after you submit your application. The agency has promised to provide you with your evaluation findings within 60 days if you have completed all criteria.
You will get an email confirming whether or not your skills assessment was successful. This information will, after that, be required for your visa application.
What are the Visas Options for Immigrant Teachers in Australia?
Not all sorts of Australian work visas are accessible for teachers. Primary school teachers, for example, have fewer visa choices than secondary school teachers, who are in great demand.
- Visa 190 is a skilled nominated visa with a points system. Visa 190 is a permanent visa for which you must be asked to apply. You indicate your interest in SkillSelect and wait for an offer or invitation.
- Visa 189 is a skilled independent permanent visa with a points system. You must be asked to apply after submitting an expression of interest on SkillSelect.
- Visa 491 is a five-year skilled work regional visa with a points system. You must be nominated to apply after submitting an interest application on SkillSelect.
- Visa 494 is a skilled employer-sponsored visa that is valid for 5 years. You must be under 45 and endorsed by an Australian employer.
- Visa 186 is a permanent visa route sponsored by an employer. Your potential employer must support you.
What are Australia PR Requirements for Teaching Occupations?
In Australia, all teaching grades, from preschool through secondary school, are included on the medium to long-term skills shortage list. This makes it an ideal alternative option for people looking to relocate and work permanently in Australia. However, the prospects for work and a permanent visa are considerably more significant for people who choose to stay and live outside of the major cities.
Australia’s visas are based on a points system. This means there are several methods you may boost your points to assist in guaranteeing your visa is accepted. Each visa has somewhat different criteria, but for the most part, these are:
Age:
- 25 points for ages 18 to 26.
- 30 points for ages 25 to 33.
- 25 points for ages 33 to 40.
- 15 points for ages 40 to 45.
English language:
English proficiency is required to work as a teacher in Australia. In Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States, you must sit the IELTS test if you haven’t studied for at least four years of undergraduate education. In addition, in reading and writing, you must score at least 7.0, and in speaking and listening, you must score at least 8.0. This will get you 20 points for “superior” English abilities.
Skilled employment experience outside Australia:
- 0 points for less than three years
- 5 points for three to five years
- 10 points for five to eight years
- 15 points for 8 years or more
Skilled employment experience in Australia:
- 0 points for less than a year
- 5 points for one to three years
- 10 points for three to five years
- 15 points for five to eight years
- 20 points for eight years or more
Educational qualifications:
- 10 points for stuff that is appropriate for teaching
- 15 points for a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an Australian institution
- 20 points for A doctorate from an Australian university or an equivalent
You can also obtain an additional 10 points for special education that takes at least two years in Australia, like a master’s degree.
You can get an extra five points if you have an Australian degree, completed a professional year in Australia, are eligible in an Australian community language, or are studying at a regional university in Australia. If you are endorsed or sponsored for the job, you will receive an additional 15 points.
Partner/ spouse
- 5 points if your spouse speaks English well and submits an application for the same visa as you.
- 10 points if you are single or your spouse is a citizen of Australia.
- 10 points if your spouse satisfies this visa’s skill, age, and English requirements.
Why are English Requirements so High for Immigrant Teachers in Australia?
As previously stated, the IELTS scores necessary for teaching are pretty high. In fact, they outnumber many other occupations. Why is this the case? The Australian government thinks that to deliver the correct information, teachers must be fluent in English.
After all, it is impossible to deny that a teacher spends significant time talking and communicating. You are talking with more than just kids; you are also communicating with:
- Other teachers
- Communities
- Families
- Other Participants
Good communication skills are unquestionably necessary for instructors. Unfortunately, we cannot have an interpreter while we educate. As a result, a good IELTS score is essential. In reality, nurses are only required to have a score of 7, while other occupations can get away with a score of 6.5.
How Can Immigrant Teachers Find Jobs in Australia?
Hays Recruitment. Hays leads the Asia Pacific and the United Kingdom market and is a market leader in Continental Europe and Latin America. Hays works in corporate and governmental sectors, handling permanent, contract, and temporary employment.
SEEK. SEEK, founded in 1997, has become one of Australia’s most popular employment and career portals, where job seekers may search for opportunities based on pay, location, and classification.
Adzuna. Adzuna, like SEEK, provides a job-search engine, with users able to sign up for specialized email notifications and job postings and discover businesses or positions by industry or area.
Indeed: Indeed is a global employment-related web browser for job postings founded in November 2004 in the United States, with additional offices worldwide. The website collects job postings from thousands of websites, such as job boards, staffing agencies, organizations, and business career pages. Indeed also allows job searchers to apply directly to positions posted on its website and provides resume publishing and storage.
Teacher on Net. On Teacher on Net’s employment board, there are Lutheran, Catholic, and independent schools from Tennant Creek to Sydney. Furthermore, their search operates by defining job and candidate criteria across 50 major categories, allowing computers to match positions to applicants more precisely.
What are the Best Cities for Immigrant Teachers in Australia?
Despite a minor decrease in recruiting in states such as Western Australia, teachers remain among the most in-demand vocations. The best cities are Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Darwin.
How Much is the Salary of Teachers in Australia?
In Australia, the average teacher income is $89,600 per year or $45.95 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $70,277 per year, with the most experienced professionals earning up to $160,949 per year.
This is competitive with the beginning pay of a graduate with a degree in engineering, business, or law and has been improving over the last 15 years.
Highest Paying Cities in Australia for Teachers
| City | Salary (per year) |
| Canberra ACT | $133,709 |
| Sydney NSW | $100,883 |
| Perth WA | $98,966 |
| Melbourne VIC | $96,752 |
| Wollongong NSW | $93,233 |
| Brisbane QLD | $92,113 |
| Melbourne City Center VIC | $91,620 |
| Adelaide SA | $85,599 |
The Challenges of Immigrating to Australia as a Teacher
Immigrating to Australia as a teacher presents several challenges:
- Qualification Recognition: Ensuring that your teaching qualifications are recognized by Australian authorities can be a complex process. You may need to provide extensive documentation and possibly undergo equivalency assessments.
- Registration Requirements: Registering as a teacher in Australia is mandatory, and each state or territory has its own registration authority with specific requirements.
- Visa Application: Securing a suitable visa, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482), requires meeting stringent criteria, including sponsorship by an eligible employer.
- Competitive Job Market: The job market for teaching positions can be competitive, especially in popular cities. Finding the right job may take time.
- Adaptation to Australian Curriculum: Familiarizing yourself with the Australian curriculum and teaching standards is necessary to excel as a teacher.
- Cultural Adjustment: Adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching environment can be challenging, particularly if you are relocating from a vastly different educational system.
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is crucial. If English is not your first language, you may need to meet specific language requirements.
- Professional Development: Ongoing professional development and compliance with Australian education standards are essential to maintain your teaching career.
- Relocation Logistics: Moving to a new country involves logistical challenges, including securing accommodation, understanding healthcare systems, and adapting to a different lifestyle.
- Financial Considerations: Assessing the cost of living, taxes, and potential salary variations in Australia is crucial for financial planning.
Despite these challenges, many teachers find immigrating to Australia to be a rewarding experience, as it offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. Thorough research, preparation, and a proactive approach to addressing these challenges can pave the way for a successful teaching career in Australia.
Let’s Sum Up
To immigrate to Australia as a teacher and start your career, you must go through many steps of applying and assessing. Immigrant teachers who relocate to Australia must take a teacher skills evaluation administered by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). Before you may apply for a Skilled Visa, the AITSL will need to examine your qualifications against Australian Standards.
To be regarded as appropriately qualified as a teacher in Australia, you must have four years of tertiary education (full-time equivalent). As a result, you will have a Bachelor of Education (four years) or 3 years of university (any discipline) AND 1 year of PGCE/PGDE.
To learn more about other ways to immigrate to Australia based on your occupation, check out the sidebar on the right.
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- Max-B.
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