UK Teachers: How to Move to Australia and Teach in 2026

Visa options for UK teachers

Teaching occupations appear on various Australian skilled occupation lists. Secondary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241411) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Primary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241213) and Special Education Teacher (ANZSCO 241511) also appear on relevant lists, though availability varies by visa subclass.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). Permanent residence without sponsorship. Your UK passport satisfies the English requirement. You need a positive AITSL assessment and a competitive points score. Teachers in shortage subjects (maths, science, special ed) tend to receive invitations at moderate points scores. See our UK visa options guide for the full 189 process.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). A state government nominates you, adding 5 points. States with teacher shortages actively nominate — particularly for secondary maths, science, and special education. South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and regional areas of most other states frequently list teaching on their nomination occupation lists.

Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491). Adds 15 points and requires living in a regional area. Regional and remote schools face the most severe teacher shortages. This pathway is especially strong for teachers willing to work outside major cities. After three years, you can apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191.

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). An Australian school or education provider sponsors you directly. No points test. Independent schools, Catholic education systems, and state education departments all sponsor overseas teachers. This is often the fastest pathway — some teachers are recruited directly from the UK by Australian school networks.

The AITSL skills assessment

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is the designated assessing authority for teaching occupations. AITSL assesses whether your qualifications meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Graduate level.

What AITSL looks at:

- Your initial teacher education qualification — a UK PGCE, BEd, or equivalent. AITSL requires at least four years of tertiary education, including at least one year of initial teacher education. A three-year degree plus a one-year PGCE meets this requirement.
- Subject specialisation — for secondary teachers, AITSL checks that your degree and teacher training included sufficient study in your teaching subject(s). At least one year of study in your teaching subject area is typically required.
- Supervised teaching practice — evidence of at least 45 days of supervised professional teaching experience during your training. UK PGCE programs generally exceed this requirement.

Documents for AITSL assessment:
- Certified copies of your degree and PGCE/QTS certificate
- Academic transcripts showing subjects studied and grades
- Evidence of supervised teaching practice (placement reports or letters)
- Evidence of current or recent employment as a teacher
- UK passport (for English language exemption)

AITSL assessment timeline: Standard processing takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks. Fees are approximately AUD 600 to AUD 800.

Common issues for UK teachers: If your degree is in a general subject and your PGCE is in a different area, AITSL may query whether you have enough subject-specific study. For example, a History degree with a Maths PGCE may need additional evidence of maths study. If your qualification is a two-year BEd rather than a degree plus PGCE, check AITSL's requirements carefully.

English language requirements

UK passport holders are exempt from English language testing for Australian visa applications. This exemption also applies to teacher registration in all states and territories.

This is a major advantage. Teachers from non-English-speaking countries must achieve IELTS 7.5 overall (with 7.0 in reading, 8.0 in speaking and listening, and 7.0 in writing) for some state registration bodies — one of the highest English requirements of any profession.

As a UK passport holder, you bypass this entirely. No IELTS, no PTE, no OET.

Note: British National (Overseas) passport holders from Hong Kong may not receive this exemption. Check with both the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant state teacher regulatory authority.

State teacher registration

After your AITSL assessment and visa grant, you need to register with the teacher regulatory authority in the state where you will teach. This is separate from the AITSL skills assessment — AITSL assesses your qualifications for migration purposes, while state registration allows you to actually teach.

State registration bodies:

| State/Territory | Registration body |
|-----------------|-------------------|
| New South Wales | NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) |
| Victoria | VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching) |
| Queensland | QCT (Queensland College of Teachers) |
| Western Australia | TRBWA (Teacher Registration Board of WA) |
| South Australia | TRB SA (Teachers Registration Board of SA) |
| Tasmania | TRB Tasmania |
| ACT | ACT TQI (Teacher Quality Institute) |
| Northern Territory | TRB NT |

Each state has its own application process, fees (typically AUD 100 to AUD 300), and requirements. Most states grant provisional or conditional registration to overseas-trained teachers, which becomes full registration after a period of teaching (usually one to two years) and meeting the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Working with Children checks are required in every state and are separate from teacher registration. You apply through the relevant state authority. These checks typically take 2 to 4 weeks.

Costs and timeline

Here is a realistic cost breakdown for a UK teacher pursuing the subclass 190 pathway. All GBP figures use an approximate rate of 1 GBP = 1.88 AUD.

| Item | AUD | GBP (approx) |
|------|-----|---------------|
| AITSL skills assessment | 600–800 | 320–425 |
| Subclass 190 visa application (primary) | 4,640 | 2,470 |
| Partner (if included) | 2,320 | 1,235 |
| Health examination | 350–500 | 185–265 |
| UK police clearance (ACRO) | 35 | 18 |
| State teacher registration | 100–300 | 55–160 |
| Working with Children check | 0–130 | 0–70 |
| MARA agent fees (if used) | 3,000–7,000 | 1,600–3,725 |

Total estimate (single applicant, without agent): AUD 5,700 to AUD 6,600 (GBP 3,030 to GBP 3,510)

No English test fees — that is one cost UK teachers do not pay.

For full cost details, see our cost of moving to Australia from the UK guide. Estimate your total with Migratio's visa cost calculator.

Timeline: From starting your AITSL application to arriving in an Australian classroom, expect 6 to 12 months. AITSL assessment (8 to 12 weeks), visa application (varies by subclass — 190 typically 3 to 6 months from EOI to grant), state registration (2 to 6 weeks), Working with Children check (2 to 4 weeks). The 482 employer-sponsored pathway can be faster if a school recruits you directly.

Employer sponsorship: the reality for teachers

Teacher sponsorship works differently from most professions. In Australia, schools operate under three systems — government (state education departments), Catholic education, and independent schools. All three sponsor overseas teachers.

Government schools. State education departments run centralised recruitment programs for overseas teachers. Some actively recruit in the UK. You apply through the state department, and if successful, they handle the sponsorship. Placement is often in a school the department chooses — typically one with a hard-to-fill vacancy, often in a regional or outer-suburban area.

Catholic education. Catholic education offices in each diocese recruit and sponsor teachers. They operate similarly to state departments but with smaller, diocese-level administration.

Independent schools. Private and independent schools recruit and sponsor directly. Higher-fee independent schools in major cities attract strong competition, but smaller independent schools — particularly in regional areas — can be easier to access.

Shortage subjects matter. If you teach secondary maths, physics, chemistry, design and technology, or special education, your options are significantly wider than if you teach subjects like history or physical education. Schools will sponsor a maths teacher far more readily than a humanities teacher.

Teaching in Australia vs the UK: key differences

Salary. Australian teacher salaries are generally higher than UK equivalents, especially outside London. A teacher with 8 years of experience earns approximately AUD 100,000 to AUD 115,000 (GBP 53,000 to GBP 61,000). UK teachers at the same experience level on the main pay scale earn roughly GBP 38,000 to GBP 44,000 outside London. The gap narrows slightly when you factor in London weighting, but Australian salaries still come out ahead.

Working conditions. Australian school terms differ from UK terms. Most states run four 10-week terms. Class sizes are broadly similar. Behaviour management approaches vary by school. The curriculum is state-based — each state has its own curriculum authority (the Australian Curriculum provides a national framework, but states adapt it).

Professional development. All Australian states require teachers to complete a minimum number of professional development hours annually for registration renewal. This is broadly similar to the UK system but administered at the state level.

Lifestyle. Many UK teachers cite lifestyle as the primary motivator for the move. More outdoor time, less grey weather, and a workplace culture that generally values work-life balance more explicitly than some UK school environments. Our settling in Australia from the UK guide covers the broader lifestyle adjustment.

Next steps

1. Identify your teaching subject. Check whether your subject appears on the skilled occupation lists and on state nomination lists.
2. Apply for AITSL assessment. Gather your degree certificate, PGCE/QTS, transcripts, and teaching placement evidence. Submit your AITSL application.
3. Research state registration requirements. Decide which state you want to teach in and review the registration body's requirements.
4. Calculate your points. Use the Department of Home Affairs points calculator and Migratio's points test guide to see your score.
5. Talk to a MARA-registered agent. A migration professional familiar with teacher migration can advise on the strongest visa pathway and state nomination strategy. Search Migratio's agent directory.

Related resources

- Moving to Australia from the UK — 2026 overview
- UK to Australia visa options
- Cost of moving to Australia from the UK
- UK document authentication for Australia
- Settling in Australia from the UK

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Do UK teachers need IELTS to teach in Australia?

No. UK passport holders are exempt from English language testing for both visa applications and teacher registration in all states and territories. This is a significant advantage over teachers from non-English-speaking countries, who must meet strict English requirements.

Is my UK QTS or PGCE recognised in Australia?

Yes. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) assesses overseas teaching qualifications. UK QTS with a relevant degree and PGCE are generally well-recognised. AITSL confirms whether your qualifications meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Which teaching subjects are in shortage in Australia?

Mathematics, physics, chemistry, technology, special education, and secondary English are consistently listed as shortage areas. Teachers in these subjects are more likely to receive state nomination for skilled visas and find employer sponsorship.

Can I teach in any Australian state with one registration?

No. Teacher registration is state-based. You register with the teacher regulatory authority in the state where you plan to teach — for example, NESA in New South Wales, VIT in Victoria, or QCT in Queensland. If you move states, you need to apply for registration in the new state.

What salary can UK teachers expect in Australia?

Starting salaries for graduate teachers range from AUD 75,000 to AUD 85,000 depending on the state. Experienced teachers (8+ years) earn AUD 100,000 to AUD 115,000. Senior teachers and heads of department earn AUD 115,000 to AUD 140,000. These figures are typically higher than equivalent UK positions.