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Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teachers have genuine skilled migration options in Australia, supported by sustained demand across the early learning sector. Applicants need to understand the ACECQA skills assessment process, the professional English language requirements that apply, and the visa pathways available. Our migration lawyers can guide you through each step and help you build a considered, decision-ready application.
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An Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher designs and leads structured learning experiences for children in the years before formal schooling, working across areas such as early literacy, numeracy, creative expression and physical development. The role involves building a safe, engaging environment that supports each child’s emotional and social growth alongside their academic foundations. Day-to-day work typically includes observing and recording each child’s development, working closely with families on a child’s progress, and collaborating with other educators to plan the centre or classroom’s learning program.
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher is classified under ANZSCO code 241111, at Skill Level 1, reflecting the bachelor-level qualification generally required for this occupation. This occupation is distinct from related teaching occupations such as Primary School Teacher, which apply to different age groups and are assessed by a different authority.
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher is identified by Jobs and Skills Australia as an occupation experiencing shortage nationally. Demand has been supported by continued growth in the early learning and childcare sector and by ongoing state and federal investment in early childhood education access.
Early Childhood Teachers work across a range of settings, including long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens, in both metropolitan and regional areas. Some states and territories give early childhood teaching priority on their nomination occupation lists for the Subclass 190 and 491 visas, though these priorities are reviewed periodically and vary by jurisdiction.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median annual earnings for early childhood (pre-primary school) teachers in Australia is approximately $99,100, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Actual salaries vary depending on experience, qualifications, location, sector and whether a role is full-time or part-time.
Early childhood teachers can progress into leadership roles such as educational leader, centre director or program coordinator over time, with further study and experience generally supporting career progression and access to higher paid roles.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is the designated skills assessing authority for Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111), having taken over this function from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) on 7 December 2024. Applicants who already hold a valid AITSL skills assessment issued before that date do not need to be reassessed by ACECQA, as it remains valid until its original expiry.
ACECQA assesses whether an applicant’s early childhood teaching qualification and employment experience are comparable to the relevant Australian standard, generally a recognised bachelor-level early childhood teaching qualification. A positive ACECQA skills assessment is separate from teacher registration, which is required by the relevant state or territory teacher regulatory authority before a person can work as a teacher in that jurisdiction.
The ACECQA assessment process generally involves submitting qualification and employment evidence, along with evidence of English language proficiency, for assessment against ACECQA’s published standards. Where a qualification does not directly meet the required standard, ACECQA may also assess it under the National Quality Framework as part of the same application.
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher is included on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, meaning the Subclass 189 visa, a permanent, points-tested visa requiring no state nomination or employer sponsorship, is a potential pathway for eligible applicants who meet the points test and other criteria.
The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent, points-tested visa requiring nomination by a state or territory government. Nomination adds bonus points and depends on that state’s current occupation demand priorities, which can change independently of the national occupation lists.
The Subclass 491 visa is a provisional visa for points-tested applicants nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible family member, to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia, providing a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa after a qualifying period.
Early Childhood Teachers with an offer of employment from an approved Australian business may be eligible for the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, a temporary employer-sponsored visa allowing work in Australia for an approved employer.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residence for Early Childhood Teachers nominated by an eligible Australian employer, either through the Temporary Residence Transition stream or the Direct Entry stream.
Our migration lawyers can help you understand ACECQA’s requirements and how your qualifications and experience are likely to be assessed.
We assess your circumstances against the available visa pathways to help you build a considered migration strategy.
Our team can advise on current state and territory nomination priorities relevant to early childhood teachers and how these may affect your Subclass 190 or 491 strategy.
We assist with preparing and reviewing the documentation required for your skills assessment and visa application, aiming for a decision-ready submission.
Our migration lawyers can help you understand the English language evidence required for your skills assessment, and clarify how this relates to separate teacher registration requirements in your intended state or territory.
Where a skills assessment or visa application does not proceed as expected, our migration lawyers can advise on your review and appeal options.
The pathway to a skilled visa for an early childhood teacher generally follows several stages: completing an ACECQA skills assessment, lodging an expression of interest through SkillSelect, receiving an invitation to apply, and then lodging and awaiting a decision on the visa application.
Processing times vary considerably depending on individual circumstances, the visa subclass and Department of Home Affairs workloads, so we recommend discussing indicative timeframes for your situation directly with our migration lawyers rather than relying on a general estimate.
If you are an early childhood teacher considering a move to Australia, Australian Migration Lawyers can help you understand your options and build a considered migration strategy. Our migration lawyers deal directly with you throughout your matter and are available seven days a week to discuss your circumstances.
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We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.
Depending on your circumstances, potential pathways include the Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482 and 186 visas. Our migration lawyers can help you identify the most suitable option.
Jobs and Skills Australia data places median early childhood teacher earnings at approximately $99,100 per year, though individual salaries vary with experience, qualifications, location and sector.
English language requirements for this occupation are generally set at a professional teaching standard, higher than the "Competent English" benchmark used for many other skilled visas. Our migration lawyers can advise on the specific evidence accepted for your circumstances.
Yes, separately from the skills assessment. Teacher registration is granted by the relevant state or territory teacher regulatory authority and is required before you can work as a teacher in that jurisdiction.
Timeframes vary depending on the skills assessment outcome, visa subclass and individual circumstances. Our migration lawyers can advise on realistic timeframes once we understand your situation.
Yes. A positive skills assessment from ACECQA is a mandatory requirement for skilled and employer-sponsored visa pathways for Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111).
Eligible family members can generally be included in most skilled and employer-sponsored visa applications, subject to meeting health, character and other relevant criteria. Our migration lawyers can confirm which family members can be included in your specific application.
Perry Q Wood is Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and one of Australia's leading administrative, immigration and human rights lawyers.
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