Early Childhood Teacher

ANZSCO: 241111 | MLTSSL Migration Pathway

$75,000 Median Salary (AUD)

Very High Job Security

MLTSSL SOL Status

ACECQA Assessing Body

PR Pathway Overview

Study

→

Graduate

→

485 Visa

→

Work

→

Skills Assess

→

EOI

→

Invitation

→

Visa Grant

Most applicants aim for 80+ points. Regional Advantage: Studying or working in regional Australia provides a significant advantage and grants an additional +5 points to your total. The estimated total timeline from course commencement to permanent residency grant is typically 4 to 6 years...

Occupation Overview

Required Qualification: Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (4 years full-time).

Mandatory Approvals: ACECQA approval and state-based teacher registration (e.g., NESA).

Strategic Demand: ★★★★★ (Fueled by the universal access to early childhood education policy).

Compliance: Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for all practitioners.

Investment: AUD $30,000 – $45,000 per year (Indicative).

Entry Req.: Year 12 completion or equivalent; Academic IELTS score overall 6.5 or higher.

Intakes: February, July, November.

Job Description & Strategic Insight

Core Role: Plans and delivers educational programs for children up to 5 years of age. Teachers foster the development of critical cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills.

Industry Trends: Australia is facing a critical shortage in this sector. Government-mandated qualification upgrades have created a permanent, high-security need for qualified teachers.

Business Opportunities: Excellent viability for private childcare centre ownership and educational consulting.

Simple 4 Step Process

Enrol to a Course

Firstly, you must enrol in the right course/courses – one that trains you for a position on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Find a Course

Apply for 485 visa

After graduation, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary work visa called 485 Graduate Visa.

Undertake a Full Skill Assessment

You must undertake a Full Skills Assessment with the relevant assessing body (such as AITSL or ACECQA), which involves verifying your qualifications and meeting language proficiency requirements.

Apply for 189, 190, 491 visas

Finally... you may be eligible to apply for General Skilled Migration Visas: The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), State Nominated (Subclass 190) or Regional Nominated (Subclass 491) Visas.

Visa & PR Pathways

Skilled Independent

Subclass 189

Direct Permanent Residency
Priority Processing for Teachers
No sponsorship required

Skilled Nominated

Subclass 190

Permanent Residency
State/Territory nominated
Full access for MLTSSL roles

Regional Skilled

Subclass 491

5-year provisional visa
+15 Points for Regional
Pathway to 191 Permanent Residency

Employer Sponsored

Subclass 482

Temporary Skill Shortage
Medium-term stream
Widely sponsored by childcare providers

Regional Employer

Subclass 494

Regional Employer Sponsored
Priority Processing
Direct PR pathway available

MLTSSL Status grants full access to all skilled visa streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the course entry requirements for an Early Childhood Teacher program?

Entry requirements generally include successful completion of Australian Year 12 (or equivalent international secondary qualification) alongside demonstrating English language proficiency, such as an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall.

What are the typical course intakes available?

The primary intakes for early childhood education programs in Australia are scheduled in February and July, with selected universities offering an additional intake in November.

What is the standard duration of the course?

A Bachelor of Early Childhood Education takes 4 years of full-time study, whereas a Postgraduate Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) spans 2 years of full-time enrollment.

Does studying regionally add points towards Australian permanent residency?

Yes, completing your qualifications in designated regional areas of Australia qualifies you for a regional advantage, which grants an extra +5 points to your immigration total score.

Is the Early Childhood Teacher role in demand across Australia?

Yes, the role is in critically high demand due to an acute nationwide shortage of qualified educators combined with supportive government childcare and educational access policies.

Do I need a license or registration to work as an Early Childhood Teacher?

Yes, professional state-based registration (e.g., NESA in NSW or VIT in Victoria) is required along with a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) to legally practice inside Australian childcare centres.

What is the average salary expectation for an Early Childhood Teacher?

The median annual salary for qualified professionals in Australia stands at approximately $75,000 AUD, scaling upwards based on regional location, setting, and years of experience.