Two long stayers on the Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are the Early Childhood Teacher and Secondary Teacher occupations. We don’t think they will be going anywhere soon. Are you considering furthering your education? Give a profession in teaching a thought. Getting positively assessed as an Early Childhood or Secondary Teacher does not require that all one’s study has been in teaching.
This means that if you can have taken another degree and go on to do a Master in teaching! If you are looking for a pathway through the Skilled Independent 189 visa, this is a good one. Taking a Masters in Teaching (Secondary) at the Australian Catholic University for example, has a course duration of two years and an annual school fee of AUD$$22,048.
Read: Australia Needs Secondary School Teachers
Read: Student 500 Visa
The skills assessment body for teachers is the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). There are two criteria for assessment:
- Qualifications
- English language proficiency
Qualifications
For both Early Childhood Teacher and Secondary Teacher, you must have completed a minimum of four years full time (or part time equivalent) university level study that results in a qualification. This must include a relevant initial teacher education qualification and can include other qualifications.
Early Childhood Teacher [241111]
Initial teacher education qualification
Your study must include an initial teacher education qualification which is comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher, which includes:
- At least one year full time (or part time equivalent) university level study of Early Childhood (Pre primary School) Teacher initial teacher education
- Completion of at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice with students across the Birth to 8 years age range in education programs prior to and in the early years of primary school
Secondary Teacher [241411]
Initial teacher education qualification
Your study must include an initial teacher education qualification which is comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher, which includes:
- At least one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education (university) level study of Secondary School Teacher initial teacher education
- Completion of at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice with students across the 13 to 18 years aged range in a secondary school setting
Find: Australian Qualifications Framework (AFQ)
Other higher education qualifications
Other higher education qualification/s contributing to the four years of study must be comparable to the educational level of an Australian Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree (AQF Level 6) or higher.
Evidence of supervised teaching practice
Supervised teaching practice is a compulsory component of an initial teacher education (ITE) program/your study to become a teaching specialising in Early Childhood or Secondary education. It is where you would be on school placement and engaged in teaching and learning process with school students. This teaching practice must be under the supervision of a qualified teacher and university education staff and is formally assessed.
An official statement from the university awarding the ITE qualification (not affiliated colleges, schools or training providers) is required as evidence of supervised teaching practice.
The document must:
- Be on official university letterhead
- Be signed and dated by a university representative
- State the duration of the supervised teaching practice completed
- State the age range of the students taught
- State the setting in which the practice was completed
English language proficiency
The English requirements for both Early Childhood Teacher and Secondary Teacher are the same. They must either submit a test result that meets their requirements or may choose to prove their English proficiency via their study.
By English language proficiency test
To meet the English requirements for your AITSL skills assessment you will need to have taken the Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and meet minimum score for each component as follows:
- Minimum of 7.0 for reading
- Minimum of 7.0 for writing
- Minimum of 8.0 for speaking
- Minimum of 8.0 for listening
The IELTS test scores must appear on a single IELTS test result and the test must have been taken within 24 months of the date of applying for your skills assessment with AITSL.
By study
The applicant will not need to submit academic IELTS test results if they have evidence that they have completed at least four full years of study in university in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America. This study must have resulted in award of qualification(s) that is comparable to the educational level of an Australian bachelor degree or higher and must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification.
If you are eligible for the waiver of test results, submission of a test result will render your ‘waiver’ redundant. AITSL will only consider your test results. If you, for any reason need to apply for subsequent AITSL skills assessments, AITSL will no longer accept your study as a means to satisfy the English requirement. Remember, your test results must have been taken in the last 24 months.
Recent graduates from Australian universities
Have you completed a qualification at a university in Australia in the last six months? You will not be required to provide a final award certificate (testamur). Recent graduates from an Australian university will need to submit:
- A final academic transcript for each year of study
- An official statement confirming completion of study by the university registrar
For studies completed in Australia more than six months before submitting an application to AITSL, a final award certificate (testamur) must be submitted.
Qualifications from the People’s Republic of China
Applicants with qualifications from the People’s Republic of China are required to submit original bound booklets, issued by a Notary Public Office in China, for the following degree documents:
- Certificate of graduation
- Final academic transcript
- Degree certificate
Each booklet must include a notarial certificate providing evidence that the document is a true copy of the original. Do note that these documents remain on the applicant’s assessment file and the documents will not be will not be returned.
Application
AITSL has a 10 week turnaround on applications. No fast track assessments are available. If suitably assessed, your assessment will be valid for two years. If not suitably assessed, an appeal may be made, and must be made within 60 days of the date of the outcome. The trouble is that filing for an appeal costs AUD$815, which is the same as the application fee. It really would be wise to get your application right the first time. Concerned on if you meet the initial teacher qualification? Get the help of a qualified migration agent.
