How to Immigrate to Australia as a Teacher in 2025

Do you know that Australia is in huge demand for over 3,90,000 teachers? That is 3.3% of the workforce. With the number of school-going children growing, the demand for teachers will also grow over the next 10 years.

Apart from the significant demand for skilled teachers in Australia, this kangaroo country has been the top destination for skilled teachers due to its good quality of life, healthcare, and educational facilities.

If you are also a skilled teacher planning to immigrate to Australia, this article will provide you with complete details about the step-by-step process to migrate to Australia as a qualified teacher from India. But let us first understand why you should consider immigrating to Australia.

Why should you immigrate to Australia as a Teacher?

Australia is a number one destination for teachers from across the globe because of its top-notch education system, competitive salaries, robust job security, and good work-life balance. Following are some of the best reasons you should keep in mind while immigrating to Australia as a teacher:

High demand for teachers

Australia is also experiencing a massive deficit of qualified teachers, especially in the country's rural regions and in specialist fields like mathematics, science, and special education. This shortage also provides additional work for foreign teachers.

The government periodically updates its lists of skilled occupations to accommodate these shortages so that teachers may quickly obtain visas and permanent residence.

Pathway to permanent residency

Teaching is an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which enables teachers to apply for skilled migration visas.

Most of them, including Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491, offer teachers unconditional entry to permanent residency, enabling them to bring families to Australia in order to settle.

High-quality education system

Australia has a world-class education system. Teachers have access to highly resourced schools, state-of-the-art technology, and continuous professional learning. Organized career progression enhances teachers and offers long-term stability and career advancement.

Work-life balance

With an average weekly teaching load of 25-30 hours and some planning time, Australian teachers enjoy a good work-life balance. Schools also provide longer breaks, during which teachers can spend time with their families, travel, or pursue further learning.

Australian visa types available for Teachers

There are a number of Australian visa types available for teachers who wish to migrate to Australia:

Skilled independent visa (Subclass 189)

The skilled independent visa subclass 189 is an employer—and state/territory nomination-free points-based visa that requires an occupation specified on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

It must exceed the points mark, which is usually 65 points. Age, English proficiency, qualifications, and work experience determine points.

Skilled nominated visa (Subclass 190)

The skilled nominate visa subclass 190 is a points-based visa that requires an Australian state or territory to appoint the applicant. The applicant must be employed in a professional occupation listed on the applicable state's Skilled Occupation List and agree to live in the nominating state for at least a stated period. The points requirement is typically 65 points.

Skilled work regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)

This provisional visa needs to be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member who lives in a specified regional area. It provides a pathway to permanent residence after three years, subject to specific requirements being fulfilled.

Temporary skill shortage visa (Subclass 482)

This sponsored visa enables Australian schools to hire foreign teachers for temporary work. Job seekers must receive an offer from a sponsoring school.

The visa can lead to permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) if some requirements are fulfilled.

How do teachers get their skills assessed in Australia?

A positive skills assessment is required for most skilled visas. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is the recognized authority for assessing teaching qualifications. The evaluation is to ensure that an applicant's qualifications and experience meet Australian standards. The general requirements include:

Qualifications: A four-year tertiary qualification, including a Bachelor of Education or a bachelor's degree in another field, plus a postgraduate teaching qualification.
English language proficiency: High-level English proficiency must be demonstrated. The commonly required IELTS academic test requires a minimum score of 7.0 in reading and writing and 8.0 in listening and speaking.
Teaching experience: Two years of teaching experience in the last five years is mandatory for some states.

Requirements of registration and licensing for Teachers in Australia

Australian teaching involves registration with the relevant state or territory regulatory agency. The regulations vary by jurisdiction and may entail:

Proof of identity: Original documents of identity.
Qualifications: Certified copies of academic degrees and transcripts.
English proficiency: Evidence of meeting language requirements.
Criminal history check: Background checks are done to check fitness to work with children.

For further information, you should contact the regulatory authority in the state or territory where you want to teach.