Permanent Residency Visa Options for Teachers in Australia

Australia is not only renowned for its glistening beaches and stunning landscapes. It is also a great place to build your teaching career. 

With bigger salaries and ample professional growth opportunities, many overseas teachers are flying to the Land Down Under for brighter prospects.

The country offers several excellent permanent residency (PR) visa pathways that teachers can pursue to advance their teaching careers. 

Want to know what they are? Read on.

Why Teach in Australia?

There are plenty of great reasons why teachers from all over the world seek opportunities in Australian classrooms.

For one, teaching is a skilled profession in Australia, which means that you can qualify for a skilled migrant permanent visa.

Second, the country doesn’t have enough qualified teachers, which pushes the demand higher. With bigger demand, you have more opportunities for employment and even a greater chance to obtain permanent residency in Australia.

Next, Australia has a solid educational system, esteemed for its high-quality standard with global recognition. Teachers also get to thrive with competitive salaries and amazing benefits such as superannuation pension contributions.

Finally, Australia has an extraordinary lifestyle that is filled with outdoor recreational pursuits and multicultural cities. With its exceptional lifestyle and work opportunities, the country is a perfect place for educators to thrive.

With a plethora of advantages, many teachers across the globe believe that Australia is a brilliant choice to expand their profession. They get to experience an ideal classroom environment and the laid-back Aussie lifestyle.

Check out the various teaching careers that educators like you can pursue in the great Southern Land.

• Early Childhood Teacher—primarily teaches children between the ages of 0 and 5 years at pre-school settings
• Primary School Teacher—instructs grades 1 to 6 in primary and elementary school
• Secondary School Teacher—teaches grades 7 to 12 in high school, tackling specific subjects like Math, Science, English and history.
• Special Educator Teacher—responsible for students with special needs and learning disabilities, providing additional support
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher—specialises in the instruction of the English language for students whose first language isn’t English.
• School Counsellor—guides and supports students in academics, social-emotional development, mental health and other areas that need to be addressed.
• School Principal—oversees school operations, including the staff, school boards, parents and daily school activities.

PR Visa Options for Teachers in Australia

Now that you know the best attractions of teaching in Oz, it’s time to get you out here.

Take a look at the various Australia PR visa pathways for teachers like you.

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) Visa—this is a points-tested teacher migration, requiring you to at least score 65 PR points in the migration points test.
• Subclass 191 (Skilled Regional) Visa—For teachers willing to live and work in Australia’s regional areas for at least 3 years.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) Visa—This is a state-nominated visa pathway for teachers, allowing you to live and work in Australia.
• Subclass 186 (Employer Nominated) Visa—Employer must sponsor the Australian visa, and the teacher must have suitable skills and qualifications.

Most PR visas require a temporary visa, so make sure to seek professional help on visa requirements and eligibility.

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) Visa

This visa pathway is a popular choice for many overseas teachers looking to teach in Australia and consequently enjoy permanent residency.

To be eligible, you need to score at least 65 PR points in your skills assessment, IELTS results, age and work experience.

Moreover, you need a good skills assessment to verify your suitability for work as a teacher. The evaluation is needed to demonstrate your qualifications meet the Australian teaching standards.

Subclass 191 (Skilled Regional) Visa

For anyone who wants to live in the bigger cities in Australia, the skilled regional visa is the pathway for you. Compared to other PR visas, it has lower score requirements. 

However, you will need to live and work in the nominated regional areas of Australia for a minimum of 3 years before gaining permanent residency.

There are higher demands in regional and rural areas for teachers, so winning a teaching job will be easy. But like the Subclass 189 visa, you will have to earn a positive skills assessment for AITSL and score good points in the IELTS English test.

If you can fulfil these requirements, you can transition and secure long-term residency in Australia through the 191 Skilled Regional visa.

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) Visa

Another excellent PR visa option that is available to you is the skilled nominated visa. This pathway, however, needs state nomination and sponsorship.

Compared to the Subclass 189 independent visa, it only needs lower point score requirements. Then again, you have to get a positive skills assessment for your teaching occupation from AITSL.

Every Australian state has a distinct nomination procedure when sponsoring visa applicants. Oftentimes, they prioritise nominating primary school and early childhood teachers where the teaching demand is high.

Thus, it is crucial to carefully examine the nomination conditions for your chosen Australian state.

While gaining state government sponsorship is competitive, the 190 visa pathway could be suitable for teachers if they meet the specific state criteria and are able to get nominated.

Subclass 186 (Employer Nominated) Visa

The 186 visa, also called the Employer Nomination Scheme or ENS visa, lets a local employer sponsor someone to become an Australian permanent resident.

To get this visa as a teacher, you’ll need at least 3 years of experience teaching properly in your home country or Australia. You’ll also need the right Australian teaching qualifications for the specific job you’re being nominated for.

The employer has to jump through a bunch of hoops too. They need to finish a detailed nomination process and meet strict requirements from the Department of Home Affairs. 

For example, they have to show there aren’t any qualified Australian citizens or permanent residents who can do the teaching job instead.

How Many PR Points for Teachers in Australia?

Want to secure a PR in Australia as a teacher? Score 65 points on the visa points test.

The points are weighted based on the following factors.

• Positive Skills Assessment from AITSL
• Good IELTS English Result
• Your Age (the younger you are, the more points you get)
• Teaching Degrees and Qualifications
• Teaching Experience in Australia

If you score amazing points on these requirements, you’ll hit the PR visa target and get more than 65 points.

Want us to let you in on a secret? A teaching experience in Australia shoots up your PR score and strengthens your eligibility. You can also look at working visas like the 482 TSS visa as a pathway to gain points for PR.

Get Expert Teacher Visa Assistance From Parish Patience

Choosing to migrate to Australia and work there as a teacher is stepping into a world of possibilities. You’re not only well compensated but also receive utmost respect and unfailing support. 

With its excellent educational system and strong demand for teachers, there’s no better place for an educator like you.

So, partner with an expert like Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. We can take care of your visa needs and go all out with your visa application.

Reach out to us and realised your Australian dream!