Australian Primary and Secondary School Teacher Skills Assessment (AITSL): An Essential Step for Teacher Skilled Migration
If you plan to apply for Australian skilled migration as a primary or secondary school teacher, the skills assessment is a step you must complete.
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership is the official assessing authority designated by Australia for teachers, responsible for reviewing whether applicants meet the professional standards for Australian primary and secondary school teachers.
For most applicants, the difficulty is not whether they have taught before, but whether they meet Australia’s requirements for the “teacher training framework”. So before preparing your application, understanding the assessment criteria matters more than simply collecting documents.
Free Assessment →AITSL Mainly Covers Primary and Secondary School Teachers
AITSL primarily covers primary and secondary school teaching occupations. Common nominated occupations include:
Primary School Teacher
Primary School Teacher — a teaching role responsible for classroom instruction within the formal primary school system.
Secondary School Teacher
Secondary School Teacher — a teaching role responsible for classroom instruction within the formal secondary school system.
What these occupations share is responsibility for classroom instruction within the formal school system.
In practice, many applicants misjudge their occupation, for example:
- Early Childhood → assessed by a different authority
- University lecturers or training instructors → not part of the primary/secondary school teacher system
- Education management or administrative roles → not classroom teaching occupations
AITSL Primary/Secondary Teacher Assessment vs ACECQA Early Childhood Assessment
| Comparison | AITSL (Primary/Secondary) | Early Childhood Assessment (ACECQA) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation type | Primary / Secondary School Teacher | Early childhood teacher |
| Students taught | School-age children (6 and over) | Pre-school children |
| Assessment focus | Teacher training + teaching practicum | Early childhood curriculum framework |
| Practicum required | Mandatory (≥ 45 days) | Required, but with different standards |
| Common confusion | Education-related qualification but no teacher training | Early childhood mistaken for primary/secondary teaching |
Qualifications + Teacher Training + Teaching Practicum
AITSL assessment is not simply judging “whether you are a teacher”, but whether you meet Australia’s teacher training standards. The overall review can be understood as three interrelated components.
Core Assessment Logic
Passing AITSL = Qualifications + Teacher Training + Teaching Practicum
All three components are essential: if any one falls short, it can affect the final outcome. We recommend a complete pathway analysis before applying.
Speak to a Consultant for a Match Assessment →1. Qualifications Foundation
Applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher — this is the minimum threshold for entering the assessment.
- A bachelor’s degree or higher is the minimum threshold
- Your qualifications are the first checkpoint of the assessment
- Without the foundation qualification, you cannot progress to subsequent review
2. Teacher Training Framework (Core)
AITSL requires applicants to complete a systematic teacher training course, typically situated within an education or pedagogy framework, with a minimum of one year of full-time study or equivalent intensity.
- Education / pedagogy framework courses
- At least one year of full-time study or equivalent intensity
- A subject-only background (e.g. mathematics, English) without teacher training generally does not meet the requirements
If an applicant only has a subject background (such as mathematics or English) without a complete teacher training framework, this component typically does not meet the requirements.
3. Teaching Practicum (Practical Skills)
In addition to coursework, applicants must also complete no fewer than 45 days of supervised teaching practice. This requirement is used to verify whether the applicant has genuine classroom teaching capability.
- No fewer than 45 days of supervised teaching practice
- Must be a structured, demonstrable teaching experience
- Used to verify genuine classroom teaching capability
AITSL Is Equally Strict on Sub-Test Scores
English is one of the most common factors that causes applications to fail at AITSL.
Common Requirements (using IELTS as an example)
- Overall: 7.5
- Each sub-test: no less than 7.0
AITSL also accepts PTE, TOEFL and other tests, but every test must meet the corresponding standard.
Many applicants focus only on the overall score, but AITSL is equally strict on each sub-test. If any single sub-test falls short, you may fail the assessment even if your overall score meets the standard.
In addition, the English requirements for the skills assessment and the visa application may differ, so we recommend considering both holistically when planning.
English preparation is the most time- and cost-intensive part of an AITSL application, so we recommend planning early.
Speak to a Consultant About Your English Plan →Complete the AITSL Skills Assessment in Six Steps
The AITSL assessment process is relatively clear, but every step depends on getting the earlier judgement right.
Determine Your Occupation
- Clarify whether you are applying as a primary or secondary school teacher
- Cross-check against the AITSL nominated occupation list
- Confirm whether your occupation falls within the assessment scope
Review Course Structure
- Determine whether you have a complete teacher training course
- Determine whether you meet the teaching practicum requirements
- Identify in advance whether your course structure will be recognised
Prepare English Results
- Ensure you meet the AITSL standard
- Pay particular attention to whether each sub-test meets the requirement
- Avoid bottlenecks later in the process
Prepare Application Documents
- Qualification certificates and academic transcripts
- Teaching practicum evidence
- English test results
Submit Your Application
- Submit the assessment online
- Pay the assessment fee
- After payment, your application enters the review process
Wait for Review and Receive Outcome
- Processing usually takes 8 to 12 weeks (as at June 2026)
- The outcome is used for the subsequent EOI and visa application
- Borderline cases may be asked to supply additional documents
The six-step process looks straightforward, but each step involves substantial judgement and strategic choices. We recommend confirming with a professional consultant before submitting.
Speak to a Consultant About Your Assessment Plan →The AITSL Assessment Fee Is Typically Around AUD 1000
The AITSL assessment fee is typically around AUD 1000 (subject to official confirmation). In addition to the assessment fee itself, you should also factor in the following related costs.
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| AITSL assessment application fee | Approx. 1000 (subject to official confirmation) |
| English test fees | Varies by test type |
| Document preparation and translation fees | Depends on the volume of documents |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
Overall, English preparation is usually the largest investment in both time and cost.
Specific amounts depend on the volume of documents and the translation/notarisation situation, so we recommend confirming the overall budget with a consultant in advance.
Speak to a Consultant for a Precise Budget →Four High-Risk Failure Areas to Avoid in Advance
AITSL assessment failures usually cluster around the following issues — most of which can be avoided before you apply.
1. Lack of a Systematic Teacher Training Background
Many applicants hold relevant subject qualifications but have not completed education or pedagogy training — this is the leading cause of failure.
2. Teaching Practicum Does Not Meet Requirements
Including insufficient hours or being unable to provide valid evidence. AITSL requires at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice — fragmented part-time work or experience that cannot be evidenced typically does not meet the requirement.
3. English Results Do Not Meet the Standard
Particularly when sub-test scores fall short. Even if your overall score reaches 7.5, a sub-test below 7.0 will fail the assessment.
4. Course Structure Is Not Recognised
Some courses have education-related names but are not recognised as formal teacher training, which will also affect the outcome.
AITSL Is Mainly Suitable for the Following Applicants
AITSL is suitable for applicants who have a complete teacher training framework and a primary or secondary school teaching background. For applicants with only a subject background but no teacher training, the pathway needs to be assessed carefully for feasibility.
- Applicants who have completed education or initial teacher training courses
- Those with a complete teacher training framework
- Those with a primary or secondary teaching background whose course structure meets the requirements
The Key to AITSL Is Not Whether You Have Worked as a Teacher
The key to AITSL assessment is not whether you have worked as a teacher, but whether your background fits Australia’s teacher training framework. In practice, the most common issue is not that an applicant’s conditions are entirely insufficient, but that they cannot judge:
- whether their own course counts as teacher training
- whether their teaching practicum meets the standard
- whether their English meets the requirements
Newstarsec can help you with course structure assessment, practicum review and overall pathway planning, so feasibility is clear before you apply.
Why Choose Newstarsec
We focus on Australian and New Zealand study and migration, providing teacher-stream applicants with course structure review, practicum assessment, English planning and overall migration pathway services.
Course Structure Assessment
We review your course structure against AITSL teacher training standards and identify key factors that may affect the outcome in advance.
Practicum Documentation Review
Professional review of key materials including practicum certificates, supervisor information and practicum duration, so insufficient evidence does not undermine the assessment.
English Strategy Planning
Test-prep planning tailored to AITSL’s sub-test requirements, so you don’t fail because a sub-test fell short while your overall score met the standard.
Migration Pathway Integration
We plan the AITSL assessment alongside your overall migration strategy, joining state nomination, visa pathway and EOI submission as key nodes.
Real Client Feedback on AITSL Assessment
The stories below reflect the support and experience our clients received during their AITSL skills assessment and subsequent migration planning.
I was an English teacher back home, but my practicum records under the domestic education system were incomplete. The Newstarsec consultants helped me reorganise the practicum evidence and plan the pace of my English preparation, and I passed the AITSL assessment smoothly in the end.
I assumed teaching experience would be enough, but I was told I lacked a formal teacher training course. The consultant helped me weigh up different top-up pathways, and I eventually met the assessment requirements via a Master of Teaching.
My IELTS overall was high enough but my speaking was only 6.5, and I had been about to submit anyway. Newstarsec reminded me that each sub-test must reach 7.0, which saved me from a failed submission. I retook the test and passed first time.
Frequently Asked Questions about the AITSL Primary and Secondary Teacher Skills Assessment
1. What is the difference between AITSL assessment and Teacher Registration?
This is one of the most common points of confusion. The AITSL assessment is a skills assessment used for skilled migration — it determines whether you meet the teacher occupation standard. Teacher registration is the licence to actually work as a teacher in Australia, and the two are administered by different bodies. Even if you pass the AITSL assessment, that does not mean you can teach in Australia straight away; you still need to meet the registration requirements of the relevant state or territory.
2. I have teaching work experience but no education background — can I pass AITSL?
In most cases, no. The AITSL assessment places greater weight on systematic teacher training than on work experience alone. If you have not completed education or pedagogy courses, you may fail to meet the assessment requirements even with many years of teaching experience.
3. What counts as a “teacher training course”, and how do I tell whether it meets the requirements?
Teacher training generally refers to systematic education courses such as pedagogy, classroom management and educational psychology, and must reach a certain volume of study (usually equivalent to one year of full-time study). If your course is only a scattering of education subjects, or is a subject course (such as a mathematics or English major), it generally will not be recognised as complete teacher training.
4. Does the teaching practicum have to be 45 days? Does online or part-time teaching count?
AITSL requires at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice, and this is a clear, hard requirement. The practicum must be a structured, demonstrable teaching experience, and is usually evidenced by a letter from the school or education institution. Fragmented part-time teaching or online teaching that cannot be evidenced will generally not meet the requirement.
5. My practicum hours fall short — can I top them up with work experience?
Generally no. The teaching practicum is part of the teacher training framework and is distinct from formal work experience. Even if you have teaching work experience, it cannot simply substitute for the prescribed practicum requirement.
6. Do I have to achieve all my English scores in one sitting, or can I combine sittings?
AITSL’s English requirements are very strict, and you generally need to meet all sub-test requirements within a prescribed time window. Whether sittings may be combined depends on the specific test type and policy, but even where it is allowed the rules are fairly tight, so we recommend aiming to meet the standard in a single sitting.
7. If my English is only just short, can I submit the assessment first?
We do not recommend it. AITSL assessment is a hard-standard review, and an English score that falls short generally results in failure. We recommend making sure your English fully meets the requirements before submitting, to avoid losing time and money.
8. If I do not have an initial teacher training major, do I still have a chance at the teacher migration pathway?
It depends on your specific circumstances. If you subsequently complete a qualifying teacher training course and meet the practicum requirement, you do have a chance; but if you have no teacher training background at all, the AITSL pathway is generally not suitable as a direct route.
9. Can the AITSL assessment be refused? What are the common reasons?
Yes. The most common reasons are a lack of systematic teacher training, insufficient teaching practicum, English scores below the standard, and course structures that are not recognised. Compared with other skills assessments, AITSL leans more towards “framework review” — if any one key condition is not met, the application may fail.
10. How long does an AITSL assessment take?
Generally around 8 to 12 weeks (as at June 2026). If your documents are complete and compliant, the review tends to run smoothly; if borderline issues arise, additional documents may be requested and the timeline extended.
11. How long is an AITSL assessment outcome valid?
Typically 2 to 3 years. Within the validity period it can be used for skilled migration applications; if it expires, you will need to be assessed again.
12. Can I re-apply after a failed AITSL assessment?
Yes, but only once you have resolved the issues that caused the failure — for example, adding a top-up teacher training course, strengthening your practicum evidence or re-sitting English. If nothing has changed, a re-application will generally produce a substantially similar outcome.
Pass AITSL and Open Your Pathway to Australian Teacher Migration
Whether you come from an initial teacher training background or are topping up via a later teacher training pathway, professional course structure assessment, practicum review and English planning can significantly improve your AITSL pass rate.
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