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Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111)

Pathways, Skills Assessment & Visa Guidance for Early Childhood Educators

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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From the first same-day response to the granting of your visa, you’ll have direct access to a lawyer.

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We offer a client satisfaction guarantee in relation to our visa application services.

Installments available

3 - 6 months installment options available on some visa types.

What Is an Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Teacher?

Core Duties & Responsibilities

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.

Teacher and young students holding balloons in a classroom

ANZSCO Classification & Skill Level

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.

Demand for Early Childhood Teachers in Australia

National & Regional Demand

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.

Work Environments

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.

Salary & Career Outlook in Australia

Typical Salary Ranges

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.

Additional Benefits

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.

Skills Assessment for ANZSCO 241111

Assessing Authority

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.
Qualification & Registration Requirements

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.
Typical Assessment Steps

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.

Visa Pathways for Early Childhood Teachers

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

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.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

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.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

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.

Skills in Demand 482 Visa

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.

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

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.

How Australian Migration Lawyers Can Help You

Tailored Skills Assessment Strategy

Our migration lawyers can help you understand ACECQA’s requirements and how your qualifications and experience are likely to be assessed.

Visa Eligibility & Strategy Planning

We assess your circumstances against the available visa pathways to help you build a considered migration strategy.

State Nomination Support

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.

Documentation & Submission Assistance

We assist with preparing and reviewing the documentation required for your skills assessment and visa application, aiming for a decision-ready submission.

IELTS/OET & Registration Support

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.

Review & Appeal Representation

Where a skills assessment or visa application does not proceed as expected, our migration lawyers can advise on your review and appeal options.

Typical Skilled Migration Timeline

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.

Ready to Start Your Migration Journey?

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.

Young students learning with their teacher in a classroom

Saemeh Ghasemi Australian Migration Lawyer

Crystal Johnston posing with a professional backdrop.

Can I include my family in the visa application?

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.

Do I need a skills assessment to migrate?

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).

How long does the process take?

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.

Is teacher registration required?

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.

What English score is required?

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.

What salary can I expect in Australia?

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.

Which visas can I apply for?

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.

Perry Q Wood

Partner

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.

Important Information Regarding the Use of the Term 'Partner'

We are an incorporated legal practice which is a corporation for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001. The use of the title ‘Partner’ by a lawyer in this practice is used to denote seniority and does not and is not intended to signify that the practice is contracting otherwise than as a corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, any such title does not and is not intended to signify that a partnership within the definition of the Partnership Act exists at law.

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Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111)

Pathways, Skills Assessment & Visa Guidance for Early Childhood Educators

Claim your consultation

Claim your consultation

The Australian Migration Lawyers difference

Fixed price

Deal direct with a lawyer

Clear communication

Satisfaction guarantee

Installments available

What Is an Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Teacher?

Core Duties & Responsibilities

ANZSCO Classification & Skill Level

Demand for Early Childhood Teachers in Australia

National & Regional Demand

Work Environments

Salary & Career Outlook in Australia

Typical Salary Ranges

Additional Benefits

Skills Assessment for ANZSCO 241111

Assessing Authority

Qualification & Registration Requirements

Typical Assessment Steps

Visa Pathways for Early Childhood Teachers

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

Skills in Demand 482 Visa

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

How Australian Migration Lawyers Can Help You

Tailored Skills Assessment Strategy

Visa Eligibility & Strategy Planning

State Nomination Support

Documentation & Submission Assistance

IELTS/OET & Registration Support

Review & Appeal Representation

Typical Skilled Migration Timeline

Ready to Start Your Migration Journey?

{visa type} visa checklist

Personal documents

Character documents

Evidence of relationship

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Meet your expert team

Perry Q Wood

Cindy Zhao 趙青

Madeleine Scanlon

Benjamin Magill

Don (Susantha) Katugampala

Saemeh Ghasemi

Arthur Seremetis

Cherlyn Teo (CPA)

Neil Williams

Shereen El Ali

Kate Colston

Andrew Euan

Walt Calis

Nicholas Merlin Esq.

Joshua Coulson

Oliver Thomas Christensen

Ella Pullin

Larisa Stoian

Olivia Parrott

Micah Schembri

Taahira Rajudin

Joshua Elsbury

Carolyn Salman

Yasmin Hicks

Mariam Hassan

Terrance Chu

Annalise Pope

Moniroth Ieng

Myra Sehgal

Sam Prasad

Jessica Myers-Denton

Tabarak Nader

Maryam Sadah