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AITSL SKILLS ASSESSMENT

AITSL Skills Assessment For Teachers

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is the authorised assessing authority for teacher occupations under the skilled migration program. The AITSL skills assessment evaluates whether your teaching qualifications and English language proficiency meet Australian standards for your nominated ANZSCO teaching occupation. A successful outcome is required for points-tested skilled migration visas such as subclass 189, 190 and 491, as well as some employer-sponsored visas. You must meet both the qualifications criteria and English language proficiency criteria for a positive assessment.

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AITSL Skills Assessment for Teachers

AITSL ASSESSMENT & TEACHING STANDARDS

AITSL assesses qualifications and English proficiency against Australian standards for nominated teaching occupations.

Why AITSL matters

  • Mandatory for teachers seeking skilled migration to Australia.
  • Ensures your qualifications meet Australian expectations for teaching roles.
  • Positive outcome letter is valid for visa applications (check Department of Home Affairs for specific validity rules).
  • Provides official confirmation of suitability for nominated teaching ANZSCO codes.
  • Helps meet Department of Home Affairs requirements for migration points and visa eligibility.

AITSL assessment scope

  • Authorised assessing authority for teacher occupations including early childhood (pre-primary), primary, middle, secondary, special needs, and special education teachers.
  • Assesses against two mandatory criteria: qualifications and English language proficiency.
  • Requires a minimum of four years full-time (or part-time equivalent) tertiary study including a relevant initial teacher education (ITE) qualification.
  • Supports skilled migration visa pathways when a positive outcome is issued.
  • Optional skilled employment statement (SES) available after a suitable skills assessment outcome.

AITSL skills assessment is a document-based process. It checks that your initial teacher education qualification includes the required components such as supervised teaching practice, and that you meet the English language standard. You must nominate the correct teaching occupation and follow the specific occupation checklist.

AITSL ASSESSMENT PATHWAYS

Main services include the mandatory skills assessment and the optional skilled employment statement.

1: Skills assessment (mandatory)

Eligibility: Teachers with relevant qualifications seeking assessment for listed teaching occupations.

What it covers: Four years of tertiary study including a recognised initial teacher education qualification with supervised teaching practice plus English language proficiency.

Fee: Refer to current fees on the AITSL website (no GST charged).

Processing: Applications are assessed in order of receipt (current processing updates available on the AITSL site).

Advantage: Provides the required skills assessment letter for visa applications.

Documents: Passport, identity documents, academic qualifications, transcripts, supervised teaching practice evidence, and English test results.

 2: Skilled employment statement (optional)

Eligibility: Available only after receiving a suitable skills assessment outcome.

What it covers: Assessment of relevant paid skilled teaching employment for points test claims.

Fee: Refer to current fees on the AITSL website.

Advantage: Supports claiming additional points for skilled employment in your visa application.

Documents: Employment references, payslips, job descriptions on official letterhead.

Assessment method: Determines if employment meets the skilled level for the nominated occupation.

AITSL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Navigate the document-based assessment process from preparation to outcome.

Step 1: Preparation & eligibility check

Confirm you meet both the qualification criteria (minimum four years tertiary study with relevant ITE) and English language proficiency. Choose the correct teaching occupation and check the specific occupation checklist and application guide provided by AITSL. Gather all required documents in the correct format (colour, minimum 300dpi, PDF/JPEG/PNG).

Step 2: Application submission

Create an account or log in to the AITSL applicant portal. Lodge your online application, upload all supporting documents, and pay the assessment fee. Ensure the application is complete before submission, as AITSL may request additional documents if needed.

Step 3: Assessment review & outcome

AITSL reviews your qualifications and English proficiency against the criteria. You will receive the outcome via the applicant portal. If successful, use the positive assessment letter for your expression of interest (EOI) or visa lodgement. For skilled employment points, apply separately for the skilled employment statement after a suitable outcome.

DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST

Prepare high-quality colour scans of original documents for your application.

1: Personal identification

  • Current valid passport (photo page)
  • At least two additional official photo-bearing identity documents (e.g., national ID, driver’s licence)
  • Name change document (if applicable)

2: Academic qualifications

  • Degree certificates or awards (testamur)
  • Official academic transcripts for all relevant qualifications
  • For recent Australian university graduates (within six months): final academic transcript and official statement confirming completion
  • For qualifications from the People’s Republic of China: notarial certified booklets (graduation certificate, transcript, degree certificate)

3: Supervised teaching practice

  • Official statement from the university awarding the ITE qualification on university letterhead
  • Must be signed and dated by a university representative
  • Must state the duration, age range of students taught, and setting of the supervised teaching practice

4: English language proficiency

  • Valid English test results (IELTS Academic only is accepted by AITSL)
  • Or evidence of exemption if applicable (e.g., certain English-speaking countries or specific qualifications)

5: Additional (if applicable)

  • Australian teacher registration documents (if held)
  • Agent authorisation form (if using a migration agent)
  • Employment documents for skilled employment statement (if applying)

AITSL skills assessment is a key requirement for teachers planning to migrate to Australia under the skilled migration program. By carefully checking the qualifications and English language criteria, selecting the correct occupation, and preparing complete documents, you can achieve a positive outcome that supports your visa application. Start early by reviewing the official application guide and occupation-specific checklist on the AITSL website. Lodge your application through the applicant portal with high-quality documents to avoid delays. If you wish to claim points for skilled employment, apply for the skilled employment statement after receiving a suitable assessment. A positive AITSL outcome strengthens your migration profile, but remember that a skills assessment does not guarantee visa approval. Always verify the latest requirements, fees, and processing times directly on the official AITSL website before applying.

Succeeding with your AITSL skills assessment in 2026

AITSL Skills Assessment Teachers
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