Secondary School Teacher in Queensland: QCT registration, state nomination, and the visa

Where Secondary School Teacher sits on Queensland's nomination lists

Secondary School Teacher, code 241411, appears on Migration Queensland's onshore skilled occupation list flagged eligible for both subclass 491 and subclass 190. On the offshore list, it is flagged eligible for subclass 491 only — meaning an offshore applicant relying on the Queensland offshore list can be nominated for the regional 491 visa, but not directly for the 190, through this list.

QCT registration for overseas-trained teachers

The Queensland College of Teachers, established under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005, is the body that decides whether a person may legally undertake the duties of a teacher in a Queensland school. QCT's published eligibility policy states qualifications obtained overseas are assessed for comparability of educational level, at Australian Bachelor degree level or higher, against the Australian Qualifications Framework, drawing on authoritative resources including advice from the Australian Government's overseas skills recognition body — but QCT itself decides whether the qualification also meets the specific legislative requirements for teacher registration.

Applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency at a professional level, unless they completed the full 4 years of required higher education in English in an exempted country (Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada or Ireland) — evidenced by the academic module of IELTS or an ISLPR assessment. Registration is initially provisional (2 years, extendable once for a further 2 years); full registration, granted for 5 years, requires the prescribed experience — generally one year (200 days) of full-time equivalent teaching duties in a recognised school outside Queensland, or the equivalent as principal, within the 5 years before applying.

QCT fees

QCT's fee schedule, last updated 31 July 2026, prices an application for registration from 'all other persons' (which covers overseas-trained applicants, as distinct from a recent Queensland graduate) at $298.65 if the applicant holds a current Blue Card and no criminal history, or $322.05 otherwise. Mutual recognition applications carry the same $298.65/$322.05 fee. The ongoing annual fee is $104.12. A further criminal-history screening, if required during processing, adds $34.95.

Which visas actually reach this occupation

Secondary School Teacher sits on the national MLTSSL and CSOL, reaching 189, 190, 491, 186, 482, 485 and 494 — see /occupations/241411-secondary-school-teacher, and Migratio's dedicated AITSL pathway guide (linked below) for how the migration skills assessment for teachers actually works.

What Migratio does not do here

Migratio has no employer relationships with Queensland schools and does not place candidates in teaching roles. QCT registration is a decision made entirely by the Queensland College of Teachers on the evidence an applicant submits — a positive AITSL migration assessment, a Migratio brief, or state nomination has no bearing on whether QCT will register a specific person to teach.

Do I need to register with QCT to teach in Queensland?

Yes. Under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005, only approved teachers can legally undertake the duties of a teacher in a Queensland school, regardless of visa status.

How much does QCT registration cost for an overseas-trained teacher?

QCT's fee schedule (last updated 31 July 2026) prices an application from 'all other persons' at $298.65 (with a current Blue Card and no criminal history) or $322.05 otherwise, plus a $104.12 annual fee.

Does my AITSL assessment give me QCT registration?

No. AITSL's assessment (used for the migration skills assessment) checks qualification comparability for visa purposes. QCT registration is a separate decision by the Queensland College of Teachers, which also assesses suitability to teach and English proficiency.

Am I exempt from the English test if I trained in English overseas?

Only if you completed the full 4 years of required higher education in English in an exempted country — Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada or Ireland. Otherwise QCT requires evidence via IELTS (academic module) or an ISLPR assessment.

Is Secondary School Teacher on Queensland's skilled occupation list?

Yes — eligible for subclass 190 and 491 on the onshore list, and subclass 491 only on the offshore list.

How long is provisional QCT registration valid?

Initially 2 years, with one possible extension of a further 2 years, before a person needs to qualify for full registration (which runs for 5 years).