Teachers: How to be successful sponsor in Australia

Shazamme System User • December 13, 2024
Teachers: How to be successful sponsor in Australia

What Teachers Need to Secure Sponsorship for Teaching in Australia

Australia’s vibrant education sector presents fantastic opportunities for teachers from around the world. If you’re considering relocating to Australia to work as a teacher, there are specific requirements you need to meet to secure sponsorship. This guide outlines the key steps and documents necessary to help you achieve your dream of teaching in Australia.

1. Skills Assessment

For teachers who completed their qualifications outside of Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, or the USA, a skills assessment is a mandatory first step. This process evaluates whether your qualifications meet Australian teaching standards.

2. English Language Proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate a high level of English proficiency. This is crucial, as teaching is language-intensive.

  • Accepted tests include:
  • IELTS (Academic): Minimum scores of 7.0 in Reading and Writing and 8.0 in Speaking and Listening. This requirement is compulsory if you decide to choose the skills assessment with the AITSL.
  • PTE Academic: Equivalent scores.
  • TOEFL iBT: Equivalent scores.

Exceptions: Teachers from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, and the USA may be exempt from this requirement.

3. Qualifications

Your teaching degree must meet Australian standards:

  • A minimum of 4 years of tertiary study post-secondary school.
  • At least one of these years must involve specific teacher education training (Minimum Bachelor of Education, Master of Education, PGCE, and PGDE are also accepted).

Examples:

  • Bachelor of Education (4 years).
  • Bachelor’s degree (3 years) followed by a Graduate Diploma in Education or Master of Teaching (1 year).

4. Registration with an Australian Teaching Authority

Once your skills assessment is complete, you’ll need to register with the teaching authority in the state or territory where you intend to work. For example:

5. Sponsorship Opportunities

Once compliant, Inspired Recruitment assists teachers in finding sponsorships. Hundreds of families have already secured a job through our unique service.

6. Additional Documents

To strengthen your application and meet visa requirements, ensure you have:

  • A valid police clearance from all countries where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
  • Evidence of your teaching experience (if applicable).
  • Up-to-date first aid certification (recommended).

7. Cost

The cost of completing a Skills Assessment and English test is usually around $AUD 1,500 in total. It is important to note that schools typically pay for the teacher’s visa but not for their dependents. For dependents over 18 years old, the cost is approximately $AUD 3,200, and for children, it is around $AUD 800. Additionally, the cost of flights is generally not covered.

Final Thoughts

Sponsorship in Australia is a great opportunity, but preparation is key. By ensuring you meet the requirements outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to securing a teaching role in Australia. For more support and to explore available opportunities, teachers who meet the full requirements can send their CV to Schools@inspiredrec.com.au.

By Inspired Recruitment August 20, 2025
The role of teachers in Australian primary and secondary schools is changing faster than ever. It’s not just about standing at the front of the classroom and delivering content anymore. Expectations, responsibilities and even the skills required are changing for teaching jobs. Influences like technology, student well-being, and broader educational reforms are reshaping what it means to teach today. So, beyond ticking the boxes of teacher skills assessments, what are schools really looking for and what are the key teaching skills in demand? Personalised and Student-Centred Learning One of the biggest changes is the move towards personalised learning. No two students are the same, and schools are recognising that. Teachers are now encouraged to use adaptive digital platforms that adjust lessons to suit each student’s pace, especially in literacy and numeracy. But it doesn’t stop with software. Project-based and inquiry-based learning are on the rise, too. These are approaches that put students in the driver’s seat and help them develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The role of the teacher is more of a facilitator and coach, than a one-size-fits-all instructor. Technology and Digital Tools As we’ve learned from the pandemic, technology has a major role to play in supporting education. Today’s teachers are expected to easily incorporate digital tools into their classrooms, such as interactive learning platforms like Mathletics and Reading Eggs and AI-powered assessment tools . Plus, the ability to shift between in-person, remote, and hybrid teaching is now one of the key teaching skills in demand. Digital literacy is now as fundamental as lesson planning. More Focus on Student Well-Being Teaching has always been about more than academics, but in recent years student well-being has become a central part of the role. Teachers are increasingly seen as frontline supporters of mental health, emotional resilience and social development for their students. Flexible curricula and new approaches to schooling are designed to address diverse student needs, especially important after the disruptions of the last few years. Add to that the growth of home schooling and alternative models, and teachers are now finding new ways to keep students engaged outside the traditional classroom. Emphasis on Professional Growth Gone are the days when professional development was an occasional in-service day with the same PD plan for every teacher. Teachers are now expected to engage in ongoing, self-directed learning, often delivered online and suited to their own professional goals. National standards also encourage teachers to reflect, set goals, and keep their skills sharp, particularly when it comes to digital teaching and adapting to new learning environments. The message is clear: a great teacher never stops learning. Changing Workforce Opportunities While more people are enrolling in teaching courses, retention is still a challenge. High workloads and changing expectations can make it tough to keep good teachers in the classroom. This is especially true in regional schools and for STEM subjects, where shortages remain pressing. At the same time, new initiatives have emerged to provide support for people in teaching jobs, such as the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan , the Engaged Classrooms Initiative , and Teach for Australia’s programs . These are aimed at helping ease teacher workloads, provide better support and create career development pathways. How the Teacher Skill Set Is Evolving At a glance, these are the factors influencing teaching skills in demand:
May 16, 2025
In this video, we cover the following: How to find an excellent design to stand out from the crowd; What information to include to attract readers' attention; How to rank information
May 13, 2025
Did you know the education sector is one of Australia’s biggest employers? Within the education statistics Australia produces, there is a multitude of stories, journeys and careers – far too many to highlight here, of course!
By Default Author April 17, 2025
​Australian teaching is a distinctly different reality today than it was just a couple of years ago. With artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT becoming more prevalent in classrooms across the country, and the introduction of the National Framework for Generative AI in Schools , AI tech is making ripples in education.
April 1, 2025
Improving Mental Health for Educators
March 18, 2025
​If you’re searching for teaching jobs in Australia, it’s likely you have your pick of roles to choose from. When scanning through dozens of job ads for teacher roles, the challenge becomes one of deciding whether a job is right for you.
By Shazamme System User March 2, 2025
​Teacher retention is one of the biggest challenges for any school. With tough competition for talented teachers, holding on to your best educators is a priority. Sometimes this is easier said than done.
By Shazamme System User November 29, 2024
Applying for teaching jobs in Australia? A standard resume or CV won’t always cut it if you want to grab a school’s attention. That’s where a great teaching portfolio comes in.
December 11, 2023
This past weekend, as we welcomed the festive spirit, something extraordinary happened: we had the privilege of meeting Santa himself! And, believe it or not, he had a special message just for you.
By Shazamme System User February 16, 2023
We recently chatted with the HR manager of one of Melbourne's Grammar schools. They have only really struggled with recruitment this year, knowing that it is just the beginning and the coming years will be harsher and harsher. We discussed potential opportunities to facilitate & encourage people to follow a career in education. Some of them include:
More Posts