Migrate by occupation / Secondary School Teacher

MLTSSL

Migrate to Australia as a secondary school teacher

Secondary teaching is in persistent shortage, especially in STEM subjects, and is nominated widely. The thing that stops most teachers is not the points test - it is the AITSL English requirement, which is well above the migration minimum and usually needs the speaking and listening bands retaken.

The essentials

Occupation
Secondary School Teacher
ANZSCO code
241411
Occupation list
MLTSSLMedium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Visas it supports
Subclass 189, 190, 491, 485
Assessed by
AITSL
Assessment cost
around AUD 1,000
Assessment time
typically 10 to 12 weeks

Which visas actually fit

Subclass 189possibleAchievable for teachers with strong English and experience.
Subclass 190strongTeaching is widely nominated, often with named shortage subjects.
Subclass 491strongRegional schools are chronically short-staffed.
Subclass 482possibleLess common than in health, but used by some school systems.

Check your points and pathways →

Your skills assessment

Before you can apply for any skilled visa as a secondary school teacher, AITSL must assess your skills. They generally need:

  • At least four years of higher education including an initial teacher education qualification.
  • Evidence your teaching qualification includes supervised professional experience.
  • An English test result meeting AITSL's standard.
The English bar for teachers is well above the migration minimum

AITSL generally requires IELTS 7 in reading and writing and 8 in speaking and listening, or equivalent. That is far higher than Competent English and higher than most applicants plan for. Sit the test early - the speaking and listening 8 is what usually needs retaking.

Where secondary school teachers are nominated

Nominated broadly, with regional and remote areas the most receptive. Specific subject shortages drive the lists.

Worth knowingThe AITSL English requirement (commonly 8 in speaking and listening) stops more teachers than the points test does.

Compare state nomination programs →

Data sourceOccupation, list membership and assessing authority from LIN 19/051, the compilation in force 28 March 2026, read on 21 July 2026. Occupation lists and assessment requirements change - confirm the current position before you pay any fee.

Registered migration agents

We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.

How the directory works

Placement shown on the secondary school teacher migration page.

General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.