An AITSL skills assessment determines whether your qualifications and English language proficiency meet the requirements for your nominated teaching occupation for Australian skilled migration. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) provides migration skills assessments for specified school teacher occupations.
For teachers planning to migrate to Australia, it is particularly important to understand that an AITSL assessment and Australian teacher registration are separate processes. A suitable skills assessment may be required for migration, while registration with the relevant state or territory authority is required to work as a teacher in Australia.
This guide explains the AITSL skills assessment requirements, teaching occupations assessed by AITSL, qualification and English language criteria, documents, costs, processing times, validity and what happens after receiving an assessment outcome.
Quick Answer
To receive a suitable AITSL skills assessment, you must satisfy the assessment criteria for your nominated school teacher occupation. This generally involves demonstrating the required level and duration of higher education study, completing an appropriate initial teacher education qualification and meeting AITSL’s English language proficiency requirements.
The precise criteria and supporting evidence depend on the teaching occupation you nominate, so applicants should use AITSL’s current Application Guide and occupation-specific checklist when preparing their application.
What Is an AITSL Skills Assessment?
An AITSL skills assessment is an assessment for migration purposes. It determines whether an applicant is suitable for a nominated school teacher occupation under Australia’s skilled migration program.
AITSL considers evidence relating to areas such as:
- your identity
- higher education qualifications
- initial teacher education
- supervised teaching practice
- English language proficiency
- the requirements of your nominated teaching occupation
The assessment forms part of the broader system of skills assessment in Australia, under which different authorities assess different occupations.
A suitable AITSL outcome can be used for relevant skilled migration purposes, but it does not give you permission to teach in Australia and does not itself grant an Australian visa.
Who Needs an AITSL Skills Assessment?
Teachers may need an AITSL skills assessment when applying for an Australian skilled migration pathway that requires a skills assessment for a school teacher occupation.
AITSL states that teachers migrating to Australia on a skilled migrant visa are required to complete a teacher skills assessment through AITSL. However, not every work visa requires a skills assessment, so applicants should confirm the requirements of their intended visa with the Department of Home Affairs.
If you’re exploring teacher visas in Australia, you should therefore determine:
- which teaching occupation best matches your qualifications
- whether AITSL is the assessing authority
- whether your intended visa requires a skills assessment
- whether you meet AITSL’s criteria for that occupation
- what teacher registration you may need to work after migration
This is particularly important because migration assessment and professional registration are related but separate requirements.
Which Teaching Occupations Does AITSL Assess?
AITSL currently provides migration skills assessments for several school teacher occupations, including:
| Teaching Occupation | ANZSCO Code |
|---|---|
| Primary School Teacher | 241213 |
| Middle School Teacher | 241311 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 241411 |
| Special Needs Teacher | 241511 |
| Teacher of the Hearing Impaired | 241512 |
| Teacher of the Sight Impaired | 241513 |
| Special Education Teachers (not elsewhere classified) | 241599 |
AITSL provides a separate checklist for each nominated occupation, and applicants should follow the checklist that corresponds to the occupation they intend to nominate.
One important change concerns Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher. Since 7 December 2024, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), rather than AITSL, is the assessing authority for this occupation.
Before applying, it is therefore worth checking the current Australian skilled occupation list and confirming both your nominated occupation and the appropriate assessing authority.
AITSL Skills Assessment Requirements
The AITSL skills assessment requirements vary somewhat according to the nominated occupation, but the assessment is primarily based on your educational qualifications and English language proficiency.
Applicants should not assume that professional teaching experience can compensate for qualifications that do not meet the required educational criteria.
AITSL directs applicants to its Application Guide and the checklist for their specific occupation because these documents set out the criteria and evidence required for assessment.
The main areas you should be prepared to demonstrate include:
- the required amount of higher education study
- an appropriate initial teacher education qualification
- relevant supervised teaching practice
- English language proficiency
- evidence that corresponds with your nominated teaching occupation
Meeting these requirements is one stage in skilled migration in Australia. A suitable assessment does not automatically mean you satisfy the separate eligibility requirements for a skilled visa.
What Qualifications Do You Need for an AITSL Skills Assessment?
The qualification requirements are one of the most important parts of an AITSL assessment.
Applicants generally need to demonstrate four years of higher education study, including an appropriate initial teacher education qualification relevant to the nominated teaching occupation.
The precise structure of those four years can differ. For example, an applicant may have completed:
- a four-year teaching degree, or
- an undergraduate degree followed by an appropriate postgraduate initial teacher education qualification
What matters is whether the qualifications collectively satisfy AITSL’s criteria for the occupation being assessed.
AITSL assesses the qualifications against its migration assessment requirements rather than simply looking at the title of a degree. Applicants should therefore check the occupation-specific checklist before assuming that a teaching qualification will qualify.
What Is the Supervised Teaching Practice Requirement?
Supervised teaching practice is an important component of an initial teacher education qualification.
AITSL’s occupation-specific criteria consider whether the applicant has completed supervised teaching practice that is relevant to the nominated teaching occupation.
This is particularly important because the age range and educational setting of the teaching practice may need to correspond with the occupation being nominated.
For example, an applicant nominating Primary School Teacher should ensure that their teacher education and supervised teaching practice satisfy the criteria for that occupation rather than assuming experience with a different student age group will automatically qualify.
Applicants should use the current AITSL checklist for their occupation to confirm the required evidence and teaching practice criteria before applying.
AITSL Skills Assessment for Primary Teachers
Applicants nominating Primary School Teacher must meet the criteria specifically associated with ANZSCO 241213.
The assessment is based on the applicant’s qualifications and whether their initial teacher education preparation is appropriate for teaching primary school students.
Primary teachers should use AITSL’s Primary School Teacher checklist rather than relying on general teacher assessment information.
This is important for applicants whose qualifications cover multiple educational settings or age groups, because the nominated occupation must be supported by the evidence submitted.
AITSL Skills Assessment for Secondary Teachers
Applicants nominating Secondary School Teacher are assessed against the requirements for ANZSCO 241411.
As with primary teachers, the qualifications and initial teacher education program need to satisfy the criteria relevant to the nominated occupation.
Applicants should review the Secondary School Teacher checklist carefully, particularly where their degree structure, teacher education qualification or supervised teaching practice was completed outside Australia.
Choosing the occupation that genuinely corresponds with your qualifications is more important than selecting an occupation simply because it appears attractive for migration purposes.
What Are the AITSL English Language Requirements?
English language proficiency is a core part of the AITSL migration skills assessment.
The evidence required depends on your educational background and the criteria applying to your assessment. Applicants should review AITSL’s current English proficiency requirements before applying rather than assuming that previous employment in an English-speaking school will satisfy the requirement.
This is also an area where applicants can confuse skills assessment requirements with teacher registration requirements. The relevant state or territory teacher registration authority may have its own English language requirements.
You should therefore check the requirements for both processes separately.
What Documents Do You Need for an AITSL Skills Assessment?
The exact documents required depend on your nominated occupation and circumstances.
An AITSL skills assessment application may require evidence relating to:
- identity
- higher education qualifications
- academic transcripts
- initial teacher education
- supervised teaching practice
- English language proficiency
- name changes, where applicable
- any additional evidence specified in the occupation checklist
AITSL requires applicants to submit a complete application and warns that missing or incorrect documentation can delay assessment. Supporting documents should be submitted at the time of application.
Documents uploaded through the Applicant Portal must currently be in colour, at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and in PDF, PNG or JPEG format.
AITSL also advises applicants not to submit unnecessary documents. Extra material that is not requested in the Application Guide or occupation checklist does not assist the assessment and can slow the process.
How Does the AITSL Skills Assessment Process Work?
The AITSL assessment process is completed through its online Applicant Portal.
1. Choose Your Teaching Occupation
Identify the school teacher occupation that corresponds with your qualifications and intended migration pathway.
2. Check the Occupation-Specific Requirements
Download and review the relevant AITSL occupation checklist.
3. Read the Application Guide
Use the current guide to understand the assessment criteria, document requirements and application process.
4. Prepare Your Evidence
Gather your identity, qualification, academic, teaching practice and English language documents as required.
5. Complete the Online Application
Create an account through the AITSL Applicant Portal, complete your application and pay the assessment fee.
6. Submit the Application
Once the assessment fee has been paid and the application submitted, AITSL states that you cannot make changes to the application.
7. Receive Your Outcome
AITSL notifies you when the assessment outcome is available through the Applicant Portal.
If you’re also considering Australian work visas, remember that the skills assessment process and visa application process have separate requirements.
How Long Does an AITSL Skills Assessment Take?
AITSL states that the majority of assessment-ready applications are completed within 4 weeks, although some applications may take up to 6 weeks.
Incomplete applications or incorrect documentation can extend the processing time.
AITSL does not offer a general fast-track or priority assessment service. Applications are generally assessed in the order they are received, although expedited processing may be considered in limited exceptional circumstances.
Because AITSL processing times can change, always check the official AITSL website for the most up-to-date information before submitting your application.
How Much Does an AITSL Skills Assessment Cost?
AITSL currently lists the following fees, effective from 1 July 2025:
| Service | Fee |
| Skills assessment application | AUD $1,154 |
| Appeal of assessment outcome | AUD $904 |
| Skilled Employment Statement | AUD $255 |
AITSL states that GST is not charged on these Assessment for Migration fees.
The skills assessment application fee is paid through the Applicant Portal before the application is submitted.
Fees can change, so applicants should always check the official AITSL fees page for the most up-to-date cost before applying.
How Long Is an AITSL Skills Assessment Valid?
A suitable AITSL skills assessment outcome is valid for two years from the date of issue.
The validity period is important when planning the timing of your migration application. If your assessment is no longer valid when you need to use it, you may need to obtain a new assessment.
Applicants should also check the current Department of Home Affairs requirements for their intended visa rather than relying solely on the validity period of the AITSL outcome.
What Does Your AITSL Skills Assessment Outcome Mean?
AITSL provides an assessment outcome after reviewing your application.
If you receive a suitable outcome, it confirms that you have satisfied AITSL’s assessment requirements for your nominated teacher occupation for migration purposes.
If the outcome is not suitable, AITSL provides a formal letter identifying why the application did not meet the assessment criteria. Applicants can seek clarification and, if they continue to disagree with the decision, may request a formal appeal within 60 days of the outcome date.
A suitable outcome does not itself grant a visa or teacher registration.
Depending on your migration pathway, a suitable assessment may allow you to proceed with other stages of the skilled migration process, including SkillSelect where relevant.
For teachers considering state-nominated migration, the Subclass 190 visa may also be worth exploring if the occupation and applicant meet the applicable federal and state or territory requirements.
Can AITSL Assess Your Teaching Employment?
A standard AITSL skills assessment focuses on whether you satisfy the requirements for your nominated teaching occupation.
After receiving a suitable assessment outcome, you can separately request a Skilled Employment Statement (SES). The SES is an optional assessment of relevant skilled employment that may be used as part of the skilled migration points test.
AITSL can consider eligible employment that:
- was undertaken in any country
- is closely related to the nominated school teacher occupation
- was undertaken within the previous 10 years
- occurred after completion of the qualifications required to meet the AITSL assessment criteria
- involved at least 20 hours of work per week
- took place in a registered school setting
- was paid employment
AITSL currently aims to prepare a Skilled Employment Statement within four weeks from payment and submission of the request.
Is an AITSL Skills Assessment the Same as Teacher Registration?
No. This is one of the most important distinctions for teachers migrating to Australia.
An AITSL skills assessment is for skilled migration purposes.
Teacher registration gives you the professional registration required to work as a teacher in an Australian state or territory.
AITSL explicitly states that teacher registration is not required simply to obtain an AITSL skills assessment. However, if you intend to work as a teacher in Australia, you must obtain registration from the relevant state or territory teacher regulatory authority.
This means that even someone who already holds Australian teacher registration may still require an AITSL assessment if their migration pathway requires a skills assessment for their nominated school teacher occupation.
Similarly, receiving a suitable AITSL assessment does not automatically register you to teach.
Common AITSL Skills Assessment Mistakes
Some of the most common problems arise from misunderstanding what AITSL is actually assessing.
Applicants should avoid:
- choosing a teaching occupation that does not match their qualifications
- confusing teacher registration with a migration skills assessment
- assuming professional experience can replace required qualifications
- submitting incomplete academic documentation
- overlooking supervised teaching practice evidence
- failing to check the occupation-specific checklist
- submitting unnecessary documents
- assuming all teaching occupations are still assessed by AITSL
- leaving required evidence until after the application has been submitted
AITSL requires a complete application and does not allow applicants to simply add documents after submission unless AITSL requests additional information.
Carefully checking the current requirements before applying can therefore prevent avoidable delays.
Planning Your Migration Path After AITSL
Receiving a suitable assessment means you have met AITSL’s requirements for your nominated teacher occupation, but your migration journey does not end there.
Your next steps depend on the visa pathway you intend to pursue. You may need to consider your points score, occupation eligibility, state or territory nomination, English language requirements and other visa criteria.
Teachers using points-tested skilled migration may need to enter the SkillSelect process, while other teachers may explore employer-sponsored or state-nominated pathways.
Your skills assessment should therefore be considered alongside your wider migration strategy rather than treated as a standalone approval.
Other Skills Assessing Authorities
AITSL is responsible for specified school teacher occupations, but other professions use different assessing authorities.
For example, tradespeople may require a TRA skills assessment, while nurses and midwives may need an ANMAC skills assessment.
The correct assessing authority depends on your nominated occupation, so identifying that occupation should come before deciding which assessment to apply for.
Where to Go Next
If you’re considering your migration options after an AITSL skills assessment, these IC Australia resources can help you explore the next steps:
FAQs
No. Whether you need an AITSL assessment depends on your nominated occupation and visa pathway. AITSL states that teachers migrating on skilled migrant visas require a teacher skills assessment, but not all Australian work visas require one. Check the requirements of your intended visa before applying
Yes. AITSL currently assesses Primary School Teacher and Secondary School Teacher, along with Middle School Teacher and several special education teaching occupations.
No. An AITSL assessment is for skilled migration purposes. Teacher registration is a separate requirement administered by the relevant state or territory authority and is required if you want to work as a teacher in Australia.
AITSL currently states that most assessment-ready applications are completed within 4 weeks, although some may take up to 6 weeks. Incomplete or incorrect applications can take longer. Check the official AITSL website for the latest processing information.
The current AITSL skills assessment application fee is AUD $1,154, effective from 1 July 2025. Fees can change, so check the official AITSL fees page for the latest amount before applying.
A suitable AITSL skills assessment outcome is valid for two years from the date of issue.
Conclusion
An AITSL skills assessment is an important step for many teachers who want to pursue skilled migration to Australia. The assessment focuses on whether your qualifications, teacher education preparation and English language proficiency meet the requirements for your nominated school teacher occupation.
Choosing the correct occupation and carefully checking its specific criteria before applying can help you prepare a complete application and avoid unnecessary delays. It is equally important to remember that migration skills assessment and teacher registration are separate processes.
If you’re unsure whether your teaching qualifications meet AITSL’s requirements or how your assessment fits into your Australian migration plans, book a consultation with IC Australia. Our team can help you understand your migration options and plan the appropriate pathway for your circumstances.
Claire Dawson
Australian visa content specialist focused on skilled migration, employer sponsorship, partner visas, student pathways, and long-term options for moving to Australia.
