Why Indian Teachers Moving to Australia?

Australia is short of teachers, especially in secondary STEM subjects, special education and early childhood. This shortage puts teaching on the priority list for skilled migration. Indian teachers can apply for PR visas like subclass 189, 190 or 491 without needing a job offer, provided they clear the AITSL skills assessment and score enough points. Pay in Australia is far higher than most private school salaries in India, and work culture generally offers better boundaries between school hours and personal time. The main steps are a degree check, an AITSL assessment, an English test and then an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.

The Teacher Shortage in Australia Is Real

Australia has been reporting a genuine shortage of qualified teachers for several years now. Government workforce data for 2025 and 2026 shows thousands of vacancies, and the gap is widest in regional schools, STEM subjects, special education and early childhood. Nearly half of all schools report that shortages are affecting how classes are run. This is not a small or temporary gap. It is a structural problem that Australian states are trying to fix by inviting overseas trained teachers to apply for skilled migration.

Because of this shortage, teaching occupations sit on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List and on several state nomination lists. Roles like Primary School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Special Education Teacher and Early Childhood Teacher are all recognised for migration purposes. This is very different from occupations where invitations are rare or where points cutoffs keep climbing every round.

Salary Comparison. Australia vs India

Money is rarely the only reason someone migrates, but it is usually the first thing people check. Here is a simple comparison based on current published data.

Even after adjusting for the higher cost of living in Australia, most teachers find their real take home value improves once they move, especially in states like Queensland and New South Wales where secondary teacher pay can reach the higher end of the scale.

Visa Pathways for Teachers Moving to Australia

Teachers are not restricted to a single visa option. Depending on your qualification, age and whether you already have a job offer, there are a few routes worth understanding.

Subclass 189. Skilled Independent Visa

This is the most popular route because it does not need a state nomination or an employer sponsor. It is a points tested permanent visa, and teaching occupations regularly receive invitations at a lower points threshold compared to saturated occupations like accounting or IT. You can read the full eligibility criteria on our Subclass 189 visa page, including a breakdown of common FAQs on our 189 visa FAQ blog.

Subclass 190. Skilled Nominated Visa

This requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. Many states actively seek teachers for their public school systems, so nomination can come faster if your occupation matches a state's shortage list. Our detailed guide on Subclass 190 for Indian applicants explains which states are nominating the most right now.

Subclass 491. Skilled Work Regional Visa

This is aimed at regional areas where teacher shortages are often more severe. It is a provisional visa that leads to permanent residency through subclass 191 after living and working in a regional area for the required period. Read our full Subclass 491 visa guide for eligibility, processing time and the pathway to PR.

Subclass 482. Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa

If a school offers you a position directly, this route allows you to work in Australia under employer sponsorship, often leading to permanent residency later through subclass 186.

You can read our full breakdown of the points based routes on our General Skilled Migration visa page, and check your overall standing using our Australia PR visa guide.

AITSL Skills Assessment. What Indian Teachers Need to Know

Before applying for any of the visas above, every overseas trained teacher must clear a skills assessment through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, known as AITSL. This is not a test of your classroom ability. It checks whether your qualification and training match Australian standards.

• Your teaching degree must be equivalent to an Australian Bachelor of Education or a bachelor's degree combined with a postgraduate teaching qualification.
• Your program must include a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice completed in an actual classroom, as part of your formal qualification. Work experience after graduation does not count toward this requirement.
• You must be trained for the age group you plan to teach, whether that is early childhood, primary or secondary.
• You need Academic IELTS with high scores across reading, writing, listening and speaking, taken in a single sitting. AITSL does not currently accept PTE at this stage.

Processing typically takes several weeks once your documents are submitted through the official portal. A positive outcome is valid for two years, which gives you enough time to complete your Expression of Interest and visa application.

How Points and Priority Processing Work for Teachers

Skilled visas use a points system based on age, English ability, qualifications and work experience. A minimum of 65 points is generally needed to submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. Because of the ongoing shortage, teachers are often invited at a comfortable points range compared to more competitive occupations, and early childhood and special education teachers tend to see the fastest invitations. You can track how recent rounds have played out on our SkillSelect invitation round updates page, which is refreshed after every round.

If you already work in a related field such as social work or community services, it is worth comparing pathways. Our Social Work PR pathway guide outlines a similar points tested route that some career changers consider alongside teaching.

Life in Australia for Teachers. Beyond the Paycheck

Salary is only part of the story. Teachers who move to Australia often mention smaller class sizes in many schools, clearer boundaries around work hours, access to public healthcare through Medicare, and a school culture that gives teachers more say in how they run their classroom. Regional postings can also come with extra allowances and a quieter pace of life, which appeals to teachers who want to step away from the pressure of large Indian metros.

None of this means the move is without challenges. Registration with a state teaching board, adjusting to a new curriculum and settling into a new city all take time and effort. But for many teachers, the trade off is worth it once they weigh it against the demands of the Indian private school system.

Step by Step. How an Indian Teacher Can Start the Process

1. Check that your qualification matches the AITSL requirement of a four year equivalent teaching degree with supervised practice.
2. Book and clear Academic IELTS with the required band scores.
3. Apply for the AITSL skills assessment through the official RISR portal and gather all supporting documents.
4. Once you receive a positive outcome, calculate your points and submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. Compare your score against recent invitation round results to gauge your wait time.
5. Wait for an invitation, then lodge your visa application with medicals and police clearance.
6. After arriving, register with the teaching authority in your chosen state or territory before starting work.