Secondary School Teacher

ANZSCO: 241411 | MLTSSL Migration Pathway

$85,000 Median Salary (AUD)

Strong Future Demand

MLTSSL SOL Status

AITSL 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 Education (Secondary) OR Bachelor's degree + Master of Teaching.

Mandatory Registration: Registration with state/territory authority (e.g. VIT, NESA) and a valid Working with Children Check.

Priority Subjects: ★★★★★ (Acute shortage in STEM, Trades, Languages, and Special Education).

Salary Range: $70,000 – $110,000 (Leading teachers can reach $125,000+).

Course Cost: BS approx. $60,000 | MS approx. $47,000.

Entry Req.: Year 12 completion & relevant Bachelor's degree; Academic IELTS overall 7.5 (minimum 7.0 in Reading/Writing, 8.0 in Speaking/Listening).

Intakes: February, July.

Job Description & Strategic Insight

Core Role: Plans, prepares, and delivers educational programs to students in Years 7–12. Teachers assess student progress and support both academic excellence and personal development through the critical adolescent years.

Market Trends: Australia is experiencing a critical teacher shortage across most states, particularly in rural and regional areas. Teachers specializing in mathematics and science are currently given high priority.

Business Opportunities: High potential for specialized private tutoring, educational consulting, and digital course creation for the Australian curriculum.

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

Secondary school teachers undertake their skills assessment through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), confirming qualifications and standard language thresholds.

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 invitation rounds
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 sponsorship
Pathway to PR available

Regional Employer

Subclass 494

Regional Employer Sponsored
Priority Processing
Direct PR pathway available

MLTSSL Status grants full access to all priority skilled visa streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the course entry requirements for a Secondary School Teacher program?

Entry requirements generally demand completion of Year 12 for a Bachelor of Education, or a completed undergraduate degree for a Master of Teaching. An Academic IELTS with a minimum of 7.0 in Reading/Writing and 8.0 in Speaking/Listening is standard unless exemptions apply.

What are the typical course intakes?

The standard course intakes for primary educational facilities and universities across Australia occur in February and July each academic year.

What is the standard course duration?

A Bachelor of Education (Secondary) typically takes 4 years of full-time study, while a postgraduate Master of Teaching (Secondary) requires 2 years of full-time enrollment.

Does studying regionally add points towards PR?

Yes, choosing to complete your studies in designated regional parts of Australia qualifies you for the regional study advantage, granting an additional +5 points to your total immigration points score.

Is the Secondary School Teacher role in demand?

Yes, Secondary School Teachers are facing critical shortages nationwide. Priority subject fields such as STEM, Trades, Special Education, and Languages are given immediate processing advantages.

Do I need a license or registration to work?

Yes, mandatory state-based registration with an authorized body (e.g., NESA in NSW, VIT in Victoria) along with a valid, clean Working with Children Check (WWCC) is structurally required to teach.

What is the average salary expectation?

The average median salary for a qualified Secondary School Teacher in Australia stands at approximately $85,000 AUD per year, climbing past $125,000+ for senior or leading teacher roles.