Teacher Visa Australia: Which Visa Do You Need?
Six distinct visa pathways apply to international teachers moving to Australia — from employer-sponsored 482 sponsorship to points-tested permanent residency and the automatic NZ Special Category Visa. Here is how each one works and which suits your situation.
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General information only. This guide does not constitute immigration advice. Visa eligibility and occupation list status change regularly. Before any visa decision, consult a registered migration agent (MARA agent) or immigration lawyer. The Department of Home Affairs is the authoritative source.
Australia has a national teacher shortage across every state and territory, and several different visa categories can apply to you depending on your situation. Two require an Australian school to sponsor you. Three are points-tested and go through SkillSelect. One covers New Zealand citizens automatically. There is also the working holiday route for early-career teachers. Choosing the wrong pathway wastes application fees, delays your arrival, or blocks your path to permanent residency later. This guide maps each pathway — who it suits, what it costs, and what you need to do.
1. The visa landscape at a glance
Before choosing a pathway, you need to know your ANZSCO occupation code — the classification the Australian government uses to determine your eligibility:
- Secondary school teacher: ANZSCO 241411
- Primary school teacher: ANZSCO 241213
- Special education teacher: ANZSCO 241311–241399
- Early childhood teacher: ANZSCO 241111 (assessed by ACECQA, not AITSL, from December 2024)
Your code determines which occupation lists your role appears on and which visa subclasses you can access. Primary and secondary teachers have different eligibility — this matters most for the subclass 189.
| Visa | Type | Max stay | Pathway to PR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 482 Core Skills | Employer-sponsored | Up to 4 years | 186 TRT after 2 years same employer |
| 186 Direct Entry | Employer-sponsored | Permanent | Already PR — 3+ yrs experience |
| 189 Skilled Independent | Points-tested | Permanent | Already PR — secondary teachers only (85+ pts) |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Points-tested (state) | Permanent | Already PR — 2-year state commitment |
| 491 Skilled Regional | Points-tested (regional) | 5 years | Subclass 191 after 3 yrs in regional area |
| 417/462 Working Holiday | Working holiday | 12 months | None directly |
| 444 Special Category | Automatic (NZ citizens) | Unlimited | Citizenship after 4 years lawful residence |
2. Getting your skills assessed: AITSL
Before applying for any employer-sponsored or points-tested visa, you need a positive skills assessment from AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership). This is the government-designated assessing authority for primary and secondary school teachers. Early childhood teachers use ACECQA from December 2024.
A positive AITSL assessment is not the same as teacher registration. It is a pre-migration assessment confirming your qualifications are comparable to an Australian teaching degree. Once you arrive, you still need to register with the relevant state body before you can teach.
What AITSL looks for
AITSL assessment requirements
AITSL accepts Academic IELTS only. PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, and other tests are not accepted for the AITSL skills assessment — even though PTE is accepted by the Department of Home Affairs for visa points purposes. If you have already invested in a PTE test, it will not satisfy AITSL's requirement.
Exemption: If you completed at least four full years of higher education taught entirely in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, or the USA, you do not need to sit IELTS for AITSL purposes.
Fees and processing time
| Item | Fee (from 1 July 2025) |
|---|---|
| Skills assessment application | AUD $1,154 |
| Appeal of outcome | AUD $904 |
| Skilled Employment Statement (optional, adds points) | AUD $255 |
Processing time for complete applications is 4–6 weeks. Applications with missing documents take longer. The assessment is valid for 2 years.
3. The Skills in Demand (482) visa: employer sponsorship
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa, subclass 482 is the main employer-sponsored route for international teachers. It replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa in December 2024. The previous Short-term/Medium-term stream structure no longer applies. Both primary (ANZSCO 241213) and secondary (ANZSCO 241411) teachers are on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and access the visa through the Core Skills stream.
The Core Skills stream grants a visa for up to 4 years. The minimum salary is the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): AUD $76,515 per year for nominations lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. The employer must pay the higher of the CSIT or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR). In practice, Australian teacher enterprise agreements set starting salaries above the CSIT in all states — so the AMSR is almost always the operative figure.
What the school must do: three steps
Step 1: Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)
The school must become an Approved Standard Business Sponsor via ImmiAccount. Government fee: approximately AUD $420. Approval is valid for 5 years — schools that sponsor regularly only do this once.
Step 2: Nominate the position
The school lodges a nomination for the specific role. Requirements: labour market testing (advertise for at least 4 consecutive weeks on 2+ platforms including Seek). Government nomination fee: approximately AUD $330. The school must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy upfront for the total visa period: AUD $1,200/year for small schools (turnover under $10M), or AUD $1,800/year for large schools or school systems. This levy cannot legally be passed to the teacher.
Step 3: Teacher applies for the visa
Once the nomination is approved, the teacher applies via ImmiAccount. Government charge: approximately AUD $3,115. The teacher must hold a valid AITSL assessment, have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 5 years, and meet Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band — a lower bar than the AITSL 7.0/8.0 requirement).
Pathway to permanent residency from 482
After 2 years of full-time employment with the same sponsoring employer, the teacher and employer can jointly apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, which grants permanent residency.
Critical restriction from 29 November 2025: Only work performed while employed by the same employer who lodges the 186 nomination counts toward the 2-year requirement. If you change schools during your 482 period, the TRT clock resets.
Processing time for a 186 TRT application is currently 12–20 months. The 186 Direct Entry stream is an alternative for teachers with 3+ years of relevant overseas experience and an employer willing to nominate them directly for permanent residency without the 482 interim step.
Total employer cost for a 4-year 482 sponsorship at a large Catholic school system: approximately AUD $7,200 in SAF levy alone, plus government fees and professional fees. Before approaching a school about sponsorship, understand that their total cost is roughly AUD $11,000+ in government charges before professional fees.
4. Points-tested visas: 189, 190, and 491
If you do not have an employer willing to sponsor you, or if you want permanent residency without being tied to a single school, the General Skilled Migration (GSM) pathway is the route to pursue. All three GSM visas use the SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) system and the points test.
The points test
The minimum score to submit an EOI is 65 points. For teacher occupations in 2025–26, the effective cutoff for an invitation was approximately 85 points. Invitation rounds are quarterly. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation.
| Points category | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25–32 | 30 |
| Age 33–39 | 25 |
| Age 40–44 | 15 |
| Superior English (IELTS 8.0 average) | 20 |
| Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 average) | 10 |
| Overseas qualification (with AITSL assessment) | 15 |
| Australian qualification (bachelor+) | 15 |
| Skilled employment in Australia 8–10 years | 20 |
| State nomination (subclass 190) | +5 |
| Regional nomination (subclass 491) | +15 |
| Partner with Competent English + nominated occupation | 10 |
Example score: A 30-year-old secondary teacher with a 4-year degree and IELTS 8.0, no Australian experience: 30 (age) + 20 (English) + 15 (overseas qualification) = 65 points. Meets the threshold but not competitive for a 189. Add state nomination (190): 70 points. Add regional nomination (491): 80 points.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
The 189 grants immediate permanent residency with no employer, no state, and no regional commitment required.
Primary teachers cannot apply for the 189. Primary school teacher (ANZSCO 241213) is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), not the MLTSSL required for the 189 Skilled Independent visa. Primary teachers must use the 190 or 491 pathways instead.
Secondary teachers (ANZSCO 241411) are eligible for the 189. The competitive reality in 2025–26 is that an 85-point score is needed to expect an invitation in a reasonable timeframe.
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated
The 190 also grants immediate permanent residency. A state or territory government nominates you, adding 5 points to your score. In return, you commit to living and working in that state for 2 years. Both primary and secondary teachers are eligible. Every Australian state nominates teachers through the 190, though the specifics vary by state and programme year.
Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional
The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa. State or territory nomination adds 15 points — a teacher at 65 base points becomes an 80-point applicant with a 491 nomination, which is competitive in most rounds.
"Regional" covers a larger footprint than most people expect: everywhere in Australia except the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, and all rural and remote areas all qualify.
The permanent residency pathway from 491 is the Skilled Regional (subclass 191) visa, available after 3 years of living and working in the regional area and meeting an income requirement.
The 491 pairs well with regional teaching incentives. NSW, QLD, WA, NT, and SA all offer financial incentives for teachers in regional schools — salary loadings, housing subsidies, and relocation bonuses. See the Teacher Passport incentives guides for state-by-state details.
5. Working holiday visas: 417 and 462
Working holiday visas are not a teaching career visa, but they serve a genuine purpose for early-career teachers who want to experience Australian classrooms before committing to a longer pathway.
Subclass 417 (Working Holiday)
For citizens of the UK, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malta, and Cyprus. Age limit: 18–30 (18–35 for UK, Irish, and Canadian citizens).
Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday)
For citizens of the USA, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, China, PNG, Israel, Luxembourg, Poland, Czech Republic, and others. Age limit: 18–30.
Both visas allow 12 months in Australia initially, with second and third year extensions possible for holders who complete specified regional work.
Teaching on a working holiday visa
The key restriction is a 6-month maximum with any single employer. Beyond that, WHV holders can work in any occupation including teaching. Casual relief teaching (CRT) is the most natural fit — CRT work involves working across multiple schools, which is compatible with the 6-month employer limit.
WHV holders cannot be formally employer-sponsored on a 482 visa while they hold a WHV. To transition to a sponsored visa, the teacher typically arranges the sponsorship while still in Australia and applies for the 482 offshore or via a bridging arrangement. Get advice from a MARA agent before attempting this transition.
Strategic use of the WHV: Spend 12 months teaching CRT across multiple schools, identify a school willing to sponsor you, then pursue a 482 or points-tested pathway. Australian teaching experience on your CV also adds points to your SkillSelect score via a Skilled Employment Statement from AITSL.
6. New Zealand teachers: the Special Category Visa
New Zealand citizens do not need to apply for a work visa to teach in Australia. Any NZ citizen who arrives in Australia with a valid NZ passport automatically receives the Special Category Visa (subclass 444) at the border. The 444 grants unlimited work rights across all occupations. There is no cost and no application process for the visa itself.
NZ teachers still need state registration. The 444 visa gives you the right to work — not the right to teach. You must register with the relevant state teacher registration authority (e.g. NESA in NSW, QCT in Queensland) before standing in front of a class. That is a separate process to the visa.
Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship
The rules changed significantly from 1 July 2023. All subclass 444 holders are now treated as Australian permanent residents for citizenship purposes.
SCV citizenship eligibility rules
This is a direct pathway to Australian citizenship without needing to separately obtain a permanent visa — a significant advantage compared with other temporary visa holders who must first transition to PR.
7. From visa to classroom: state teacher registration
A visa gives you the right to work in Australia. It does not give you the right to teach. Every Australian state and territory requires teachers to register with its own registration authority before they can stand in front of a class. The registration process is separate from the federal migration system and has its own requirements, fees, and timelines.
| State/Territory | Registration body |
|---|---|
| NSW | NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) |
| QLD | QCT (Queensland College of Teachers) |
| VIC | VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching) |
| WA | TRBWA (Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia) |
| SA | TRB SA (Teacher Registration Board of South Australia) |
| TAS | ACCE (Tasmanian Registration to Teach) |
| NT | NTIT (Northern Territory Institute of Teaching) |
| ACT | TQI (Teacher Quality Institute) |
Victoria introduced a mandatory pre-assessment for overseas-trained teachers from 1 July 2025 (approximately AUD $285). This can be completed offshore before you arrive, which VIT recommends to de-risk your move. WA's TRBWA accepts Academic IELTS only for English evidence (minimum 7.5 average, minimum 7.0 in each band) — similarly strict to AITSL's requirements.
See the Teacher Passport accreditation guides for state-specific registration requirements: NSW | QLD | AITSL overseas recognition overview.
? Frequently asked questions
Can I teach in Australia on a working holiday visa?
Yes. Working holiday visas (417 and 462) permit work in any occupation, including casual relief teaching (CRT). The main restriction is a 6-month maximum with any single employer. CRT is the natural fit as it involves working across multiple schools. WHV holders cannot be formally employer-sponsored for a 482 while holding a WHV — get advice from a MARA agent before attempting that transition.
Is secondary teaching on the occupation list for the 482 visa?
Yes. Secondary school teacher (ANZSCO 241411) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and qualifies for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. The old Short-term/Medium-term stream distinction was replaced in December 2024. Both primary and secondary teachers now access the 482 through the Core Skills stream.
Can primary school teachers apply for the subclass 189 visa?
No. Primary school teacher (ANZSCO 241213) is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), not the MLTSSL required for the 189 Skilled Independent visa. Primary teachers can apply for the 190 (state-nominated) or 491 (regional) pathways, or pursue employer-sponsored routes such as the 482 or 186 Direct Entry.
What does a school need to do to sponsor an overseas teacher on a 482 visa?
Three steps: (1) become an Approved Standard Business Sponsor via ImmiAccount (approximately AUD $420); (2) nominate the position — requires labour market testing and paying the SAF levy (AUD $1,200–$1,800/year, which cannot legally be passed to the teacher); (3) teacher applies once nomination is approved. Total employer cost for a 4-year sponsorship at a large school system is roughly AUD $11,000+ in government fees and SAF levy before professional fees.
How long does it take to get permanent residency as a teacher in Australia?
It depends on the pathway. The 189 and 190 grant permanent residency from the day the visa is approved. The 491 takes a minimum of 3 years in regional Australia before the 191 PR application can be lodged. The 482-to-186 TRT pathway requires 2 years with the same employer, then a further 12–20 months to process the 186. Fastest is 189/190 (immediate on grant); employer-sponsored via 482/186 is 3–6 years in practice.
What is the difference between the 189 and 190 visa for teachers?
Both grant immediate permanent residency. The 189 requires no employer or state commitment but demands a competitive score (approximately 85 points) and is only available to secondary teachers, not primary. The 190 requires state nomination, adds 5 points to your score, applies to both primary and secondary teachers, and includes a 2-year commitment to live and work in the nominating state.
Ready to Work?
Browse teaching jobs across Australia
Teacher Passport lists government, Catholic, and independent school jobs across all states, updated daily. Search by state and location — useful for identifying where regional vacancies are concentrated for the 491 pathway.
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