If you are planning an AITSL skills assessment, there is an important fee change coming up. From 7 September 2026, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) will increase its fees for skills assessments, appeals and Skilled Employment Statements.
The timing of your application matters. Applications submitted through the AITSL Applicant Portal on or before 6 September 2026 will be charged at the current rate. The new fees will apply from 7 September.
AITSL Fee Comparison
| Service | Current Fee | From 7 September 2026 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills Assessment Application | AUD $1,154 | AUD $1,198 | $44 |
| Appeal of Assessment Outcome | AUD $904 | AUD $938 | $34 |
| Skilled Employment Statement (SES) | AUD $255 | AUD $265 | $10 |
AITSL does not charge GST on Assessment for Migration fees, so the amounts shown above are the final fees.
What Does AITSL Do?
AITSL is the assessing authority for a number of school teaching occupations used for Australian skilled migration.
Its role is to assess whether a teacher’s qualifications and English language ability meet the requirements for their nominated occupation.
For teachers considering a skilled migration pathway, a suitable AITSL skills assessment may be an important part of the process.
Which Teaching Occupations Does AITSL Assess?
AITSL currently assesses:
- Primary School Teacher – ANZSCO 241213
- Middle School Teacher – ANZSCO 241311
- Secondary School Teacher – ANZSCO 241411
- Special Needs Teacher – ANZSCO 241511
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired – ANZSCO 241512
- Teacher of the Sight Impaired – ANZSCO 241513
- Special Education Teachers (nec) – ANZSCO 241599
The documents and evidence required can vary depending on the teaching occupation, so it is important to follow the relevant AITSL checklist.
What Do You Need for an AITSL Skills Assessment?
AITSL looks closely at an applicant’s education and English language evidence.
In general, this includes:
- At least four years of university-level higher education study
- A relevant initial teacher education qualification
- Evidence that the English language proficiency requirement has been met
Depending on the applicant’s background, the English requirement may be met through eligible study or an acceptable Academic IELTS result.
Once an application is ready for assessment, many cases are completed within around four weeks, although some can take longer. Missing or incorrect documents can also slow down the process.
Thinking About Applying? Start Preparing Early
If an AITSL skills assessment is already part of your migration plans, it is better to start checking your documents now rather than leaving everything until the deadline.
Think Higher Consultants can help you review your teaching occupation, qualifications and supporting documents before the application is submitted.
Applicants who are ready and submit their AITSL application by 6 September 2026 can still access the current fee structure.
Simply contacting Think Higher before the deadline does not secure the old fee. The AITSL application itself must be submitted before the new fee takes effect.
Contact Think Higher Consultants to start preparing your AITSL skills assessment.
