Australia is currently experiencing teacher shortages in independent and government primary and secondary schools as well as early childhood education and care providers. In NSW, for example, reports say nearly 2,000 full-time teaching positions were left unfilled at the end of 2023.
To help solve this, education providers experiencing a lack of available teachers have the option to recruit from overseas. There are visa options to suit all levels of educators, including early childhood professionals, school teachers, special needs teachers and educators who teach specific subjects.
The Australian education system requires individuals to have certain qualifications and experience before they are permitted to teach in Australia, but with the right immigration advice and support, it is more than possible for an education organisation to attract qualified individuals and facilitate a path to employer-sponsored migration.
Australian work visas for teachers and early childcare educators from overseas
Education providers have the option to sponsor educators and teachers to work in Australia via a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) or Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. Organisations that are eligible include early childhood centres, pre-schools, primary schools, high schools and private providers such as Montessori schools or special needs education centres.
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) is a temporary work visa suitable for educators who wish to relocate to Australia on a temporary basis under the sponsorship of the employer. Education providers can bring international teachers to Australia under this visa if they are unable to source someone with the appropriate skills in Australia. The visa will be valid for between two and four years, depending on the teacher’s qualifications and the role they will fill.
The Department of Home Affairs list of eligible skilled occupations which are eligible for visa sponsorship and qualify for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) (TSS visa) under the Short-Term Stream, meaning their visa will be valid for two years.
Examples of teachers eligible for Short Term TSS visas are:
- Middle School Teacher
- Primary School Teacher
- Dance Teachers
- Music Teacher (Private Tuition)
- Private Tutors and Teachers
- Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
There is also a Medium-Term Stream which the following educators can apply for:
- Early Childhood Teachers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Special Needs Teachers
- Teacher for the Hearing Impaired
- Teacher for the Sight Impaired
- Vocational Education Teacher
| International primary, secondary, special needs and early childhood teachers have a number of options when it comes to working in Australia, including being sponsored by an employer. |
Under an Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), skilled workers who are nominated by their employer can live and work in Australia permanently. Individuals who hold a 482 Visa under either the Short Term or Medium Term streams may be eligible to apply for a 186 Visa after three years of employment with their work visa sponsor and go on to be a permanent resident.
Teachers eligible to apply for this type of visa include:
- Art Teacher (Private Tuition)
- Dance Teacher (Private Tuition)
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
- Primary School Teacher
- Middle School Teacher
- Secondary School Teacher
- Special Education and Special Needs Teachers
- Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Teacher of the Hearing or Sight Impaired
Teachers in the Medium Term stream can also apply for a 186 visa under the Direct Entry Stream. For example, teachers who relocate to Australia from another country must prove their competence by completing a teacher skills assessment provided by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
As with any sponsored visa, conditions apply; for example, English language competency is mandatory for all teachers.
How to hire a teacher from overseas
If your educational provider wants to explore the option of recruiting teachers from overseas, your first step is to reach out to a specialist immigration partner to discuss the roles you have available and which visas may be suitable. From there, you will be guided through a strategic planning session to ‘map out’ your talent acquisition strategy.
Your migration partner will take an end-to-end case management approach by:
- Qualifying visa-eligibility of candidates
- Advising you about the criteria to be met, and supporting evidence needed for visa applications (qualifications, experience, etc)
- Preparing an application submission
- Liaising with AITSL, the relevant assessment body
- Liaising with the Department of Home Affairs up to visa grant
Contact The Migration Agency for help to employ and sponsor a teacher from overseas
Educational institutions have the option to recruit teachers from overseas. There are a number of options available to sponsor international faculty members.
At The Migration Agency, we help organisations access a world of teachers who are the right fit in terms of skills and culture.
