Teaching in Australia

A Complete Guide for Overseas Primary and Secondary School Teachers

Australia continues to welcome qualified teachers from around the world, and demand for skilled primary and secondary educators remains strong. If you trained overseas and you are thinking about teaching here, the pathway is clear, although it does involve a few important steps.


This guide walks you through the qualifications you will need, the mandatory teaching placement, the skills assessment process, the English language requirements and the age rules around permanent residency, with direct links to every official resource so you can get started with confidence.

1. The Right Qualifications

To teach in Australian schools, you must hold a recognised initial teacher education qualification.


Australian authorities accept a range of qualifications, provided they meet the required standard.


Acceptable qualifications generally include:


  • A four year Bachelor of Education, or an equivalent four year teaching degree
  • A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
  • A Master of Education, where it is an initial teacher education qualification


In all cases, your study must add up to a minimum of four years of full time, or equivalent part time, higher education that includes a recognised teacher education component. A standalone postgraduate teaching qualification will usually need to sit on top of a relevant bachelor degree to make up the required four years of study.


2. Supervised Teaching Placement (45 Days)

A key requirement that catches many applicants out is the supervised teaching placement. Your initial teacher education qualification must include a minimum of 45 days of supervised professional experience (practicum) with the age group you intend to teach. That means primary placement for primary teaching, and secondary placement for secondary teaching.


This placement must have been completed as part of your degree. If your qualification did not include the full 45 days, or your placement was with a different age group than the one you wish to teach, this can affect the outcome of your assessment, so it is worth checking your academic transcripts and placement records early.

3. Do You Need a Skills Assessment?

Whether you need a formal skills assessment depends on where you trained. If your teaching qualification was completed in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, or the United States of America, you generally will not be required to sit a separate skills assessment for your qualification.


If your qualification is from any other country, you will be required to complete a skills assessment before you can register and teach. There are two main routes, depending on your situation.


Skilled migration: AITSL

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) conducts the skills assessment used for skilled migration visa purposes. If you are applying for a skilled visa to come to Australia as a teacher, this is the assessment you will most likely need.


Apply here: AITSL, Apply for a skills assessment


State and territory registration: preassessment of overseas qualifications

To actually teach, you also need to be registered with the teacher regulatory authority in the state or territory where you plan to work. Each authority offers a preassessment of overseas qualifications so you can confirm your eligibility before you arrive. Several of these are now mandatory before you apply, so it pays to start early. Find the authority for your destination below.


State or Territory (Authority) Preassessment of overseas qualifications
New South Wales (NESA) NESA, internationally qualified teachers
Victoria (VIT) VIT, preassessment of overseas qualifications
Queensland (QCT) QCT, applying for registration
Western Australia (TRBWA) TRBWA, overseas qualified teachers
South Australia (TRBSA) TRBSA, overseas trained teacher
Tasmania (TRBTAS) TRB Tasmania, overseas qualifications
Northern Territory (TRBNT) TRBNT, overseas teachers
Australian Capital Territory (TQI) TQI, how to apply

4. English Language Requirements

As part of the assessment, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency by sitting the Academic IELTS test (the International English Language Testing System, Academic module). The required minimum scores are:

Skill Minimum IELTS Score
Speaking 8.0
Listening 8.0
Reading 7.0
Writing 7.0

In short, you need a minimum of 8 in both Speaking and Listening, and a minimum of 7 in both Reading and Writing. These scores generally need to be achieved and current, as test results are typically valid for two years, so plan your test date accordingly. Be sure to book the Academic module, as the General Training module is not accepted.


Book your test: IELTS Official

5. Age and Permanent Residency๏ปฟ

If your goal is permanent residency, age is one of the most important factors to plan around. For the main skilled migration visas, you generally need to be under 45 years of age at the time you are invited to apply. In practice this means you can apply right up to the last day you are 44. Once you turn 45, the standard skilled and employer sponsored permanent pathways are usually no longer open to you.


The notable exception is highly regional Australia. Under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), certain regions that face genuine skills shortages can negotiate concessions, including a higher age limit. Depending on the agreement and the occupation, the DAMA age ceiling can extend to 50 or even 55 years. DAMA pathways are employer driven and tied to specific regions, so you cannot apply independently, but for older experienced teachers willing to work in a DAMA zone they can open a door that would otherwise be closed.


Because age cut offs are firm, the best advice is simple. If you are approaching 45, start your skills assessment, English test and registration as early as possible so your application is ready well before your next birthday.

6. Your Pathway at a Glance

  1. Check your qualification. Confirm you hold a four year teaching degree, or equivalent, such as a Bachelor of Education, PGCE, PGDE, or Master of Education.
  2. Confirm your placement. Verify your degree included at least 45 days of supervised teaching with your intended age group.
  3. Sit Academic IELTS. Achieve 8 in Speaking and Listening and 7 in Reading and Writing.
  4. Complete your skills assessment. Apply through AITSL for migration, and complete the preassessment with the teacher authority for your destination state or territory.
  5. Mind the age limit. Aim to lodge your permanent residency application before you turn 45, unless you are pursuing a regional DAMA pathway.
  6. Register and apply for roles. Once assessed and registered, start applying for teaching positions.

Ready to take the next step?

Moving your teaching career to Australia is absolutely achievable with the right preparation. The earlier you check your qualification, placement records, English test results and age against these requirements, the smoother your journey will be.


Get in touch with the Inspired Recruitment team today to start your move to Australian classrooms.

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