What Changed with the AITSL Skills Assessment Fee Increase 2026
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is the assessing authority responsible for evaluating the qualifications and English language proficiency of overseas-trained teachers applying for skilled migration to Australia. From 7 September 2026, AITSL has increased its fees across all three of its core services.
The application fee for a skills assessment has risen from AUD 1,154 to AUD 1,198. The fee for appealing an assessment outcome has increased from AUD 904 to AUD 938, and the fee for a Skilled Employment Statement, used by applicants relying on skilled employment points, has increased from AUD 255 to AUD 265. AITSL has confirmed that no Goods and Services Tax applies to any of these fees, and that the published fees are final.
Applicants who submitted their application on or before 6 September 2026 are charged at the previous rate. Anyone submitting from 7 September 2026 onwards pays the new fee regardless of when they began preparing their application.
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Who Needs an AITSL Skills Assessment for Skilled Migration
This fee increase applies to applicants nominating a teaching occupation assessed by AITSL, including primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, middle school teachers and special education teachers. A positive AITSL skills assessment is typically required to support an Expression of Interest for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa and the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, as well as some employer-sponsored pathways.
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It is worth noting that AITSL is not the assessing authority for every education-related occupation. Early childhood teacher assessments, for example, are handled separately. Applicants should confirm the correct assessing authority for their specific nominated occupation before budgeting for or lodging an application.
What's the Difference Between AITSL and VETASSESS Fee Increases
Teachers should not confuse this AITSL fee change with a separate VETASSESS fee increase taking effect two days later. VETASSESS assesses a different set of occupations, and the two changes are unrelated in cause despite landing in the same week. The table below sets out the key differences.
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AITSL
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VETASSESS
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Assessing occupations
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Teaching occupations (primary, secondary, middle, special education)
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Broad range of professional and trade occupations
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Effective date of increase
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7 September 2026
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9 September 2026
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Standard application fee
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AUD 1,198 (up from AUD 1,154)
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AUD 1,146 (up from AUD 1,096)
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Reason for change
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AITSL fee schedule update
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Adjustment in line with inflation
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How Can Australian Migration Lawyer Help with Your Skills Assessment
Navigating skills assessment requirements alongside the broader skilled migration points test can be complex, particularly when fees, occupation lists and assessing authorities change at short notice. Australian Migration Lawyers can help you understand how this fee change and your assessing authority's requirements apply to your specific circumstances, and help you prepare a decision-ready application. Contact us to book your consultation today. We are available seven days a week.
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