PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER | ANZSCO 241213

WHAT DOES A PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER DO?

A Primary School Teacher under ANZSCO 241213 teaches a range of subjects within a prescribed curriculum to primary school students (typically ages 5 to 12), and promotes students' social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. The occupation sits within ANZSCO Unit Group 2412, Primary School Teachers, and carries an ANZSCO Skill Level 1 rating in Australia, requiring a qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher, including dedicated initial teacher education.

Typical day to day duties include:

• Teaching literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical education to primary students
• Presenting prescribed curriculum using a range of structured teaching techniques, digital learning tools, and creative materials
• Developing students' foundational motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social coordination through collaborative and individual tasks
• Preparing, administering, and marking formative tests, assignments, and projects to monitor and evaluate student learning
• Recording assessment results, maintaining accurate scholastic records, and preparing detailed progress reports
• Discussing individual student progress, strengths, and areas for improvement with parents, guardians, and school leadership
• Collaborating with learning support specialists, teacher aides, and school counsellors for tailored student interventions
• Providing pastoral care, maintaining positive classroom behaviour, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children

SUBCLASS 482 FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – CSOL LIST

The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa replaced the older Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024, introducing a consolidated occupation list framework. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) brings together strategic national skill priorities into a single list covering priority professional, trade, and education occupations.

Primary School Teacher sits on the CSOL under the code ANZSCO 241213. This is the official code an approved primary school nominates against for a Core Skills stream 482 visa, and it is also the same code used for the Direct Entry stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.

SUBCLASS 482 ANZSCO REQUIREMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

The nominated occupation must genuinely reflect the actual classroom teaching work the overseas teacher will perform for the sponsoring primary school. Department of Home Affairs case officers assess the nomination against the official ANZSCO definition for 241213.

Primary School Teacher sits at ANZSCO Skill Level 1, requiring a minimum of four years of full-time higher education study, including a recognised initial teacher education qualification specific to primary schooling (teaching children aged 5 to 12). If the role is focused exclusively on early childhood (ages 0 to 5), ANZSCO 241111 (Early Childhood Teacher) applies, which is assessed by ACECQA rather than AITSL. If the position focuses on secondary schooling (Years 7 to 12), ANZSCO 241411 applies.

ANZSCO requirement for Primary School Teachers includes a bachelor degree or higher qualification with initial teacher education specific to primary school education, alongside state teacher registration.

SC 482 VISA REQUIREMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

To be granted a Subclass 482 visa under the Core Skills stream as a Primary School Teacher, applicants generally need to meet the following criteria:

• A genuine, approved sponsor. The school must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, or apply concurrently
• An approved nomination for ANZSCO 241213, with an annual salary meeting or exceeding the Core Skills Income Threshold and the annual market salary rate for teachers in that state/sector
• A positive AITSL skills assessment confirming qualifications, 45-day primary practicum, and curriculum requirements
• Eligibility for teacher registration in the state or territory of intended employment
• English language proficiency meeting Department of Home Affairs visa requirements
• Clear health examination through an approved panel physician and police clearances from all relevant countries

The Core Skills Income Threshold sets the minimum salary an employer must pay for a Core Skills stream nomination. Australian teacher award rates and enterprise agreements typically exceed this threshold, with experienced teachers earning well above the baseline. The visa can be granted for up to four years, and eligible partners and dependent children can be included.

SUBCLASS 482 VISA APPLICATION CHARGES

Government visa application charges are indexed annually on 1 July. Sponsoring schools also pay the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, while applicants cover individual visa fees, AITSL skills assessment fees, and state teacher registration costs.

SKILLS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – SUBCLASS 482 (SID) VISA

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is the designated assessing authority for Primary School Teachers (ANZSCO 241213).

AITSL assesses teacher qualifications and practical training against strict national standards. To receive a positive AITSL skills assessment outcome as a Primary School Teacher, applicants must meet both the educational study and English language criteria:

The AITSL assessment criteria require:

• A minimum of four (4) years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study culminating in a qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher
• At least one (1) full academic year of full-time initial teacher education specifically focused on primary school teaching (ages 5 to 12)
• Completion of at least 45 days of structured, supervised teaching practice with primary school students (ages 5 to 12) as a compulsory component of the initial teacher education program
• Demonstrated English language proficiency via the 4-year study exemption or the official Academic IELTS test

Applicants should provide comprehensive documentary evidence, including:

• Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates for all higher education studies
• An official university statement confirming the supervised primary teaching practicum (number of days, school setting, and student age range)
• Employment reference letters on official school letterhead outlining job titles, dates, hours, and curriculum taught
• Academic IELTS Test Report Form (or documentation proving qualifying study in an exempt country)

A positive AITSL skills assessment outcome is valid for two years from the date of issue for migration purposes.

SUBCLASS 186 FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) is Australia's primary permanent residence visa for employer-sponsored skilled workers. For Primary School Teachers working in Australia on a Subclass 482 visa, the Subclass 186 represents the standard pathway to permanent residency.

A grant under Subclass 186 provides immediate Australian permanent residency for the teacher and their eligible family members, with full access to Medicare, permanent work rights, and a direct pathway to Australian citizenship.

SC 186 VISA REQUIREMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

For the Direct Entry (DE) stream, applicants generally need to meet the following requirements:

• A nomination from an approved Australian school for a genuine, full-time, ongoing position for at least two years
• A salary that meets or exceeds the relevant income threshold and the market rate for teachers in that sector
• A positive AITSL skills assessment for Primary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241213)
• At least three (3) years of relevant full-time post-qualification teaching experience
• Being under 45 years of age at the time of application, unless an age exemption applies
• Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or accepted equivalent)
• Health and character clearances

SKILLS ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – SC 186 VISA

A positive skills assessment from AITSL is mandatory for Direct Entry Subclass 186 applicants in this occupation and must be valid at the time the visa application is lodged. The same four-year study, initial teacher education, 45-day primary practicum, and English requirements described above apply.

Because the Direct Entry stream also requires three years of relevant experience, gathering structured teaching reference letters, practicum documentation, and transcripts early helps avoid processing delays.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

It is essential to distinguish between the AITSL Skills Assessment English requirement and the Department of Home Affairs visa English requirement. AITSL applies a high professional standard, requiring Academic IELTS with elevated scores.

Where an English test is required for AITSL, only the Academic IELTS test is accepted on a single Test Report Form dated within 24 months, requiring at least 7.0 in Reading and Writing, and at least 8.0 in Speaking and Listening.

EXEMPTIONS ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

AITSL Study Exemption: Applicants who have completed at least four (4) full years of higher education (university level) study in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States resulting in a recognised qualification are generally exempt from sitting the Academic IELTS test for AITSL assessment purposes.

For Department of Home Affairs visa applications, passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland are also exempt from general English testing.

STATE AND TERRITORY TEACHER REGISTRATION & WWCC

A positive AITSL skills assessment and an approved visa allow a Primary School Teacher to migrate to Australia, but they do not automatically grant the right to teach in an Australian classroom. Teaching is a regulated profession, and registration with the relevant state or territory regulatory authority is legally mandatory:

• New South Wales: NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
• Victoria: Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
• Queensland: Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
• Western Australia: Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA)
• South Australia: Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (TRBSA)
• Tasmania, ACT & NT: Respective State / Territory Teacher Registration Boards

A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC), issued by the respective state or territory government, is also mandatory before entering any school premises.

SALARY EXPECTATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Salaries for Primary School Teachers in Australia are determined by transparent state and sector enterprise agreements. Public, Catholic, and independent schools offer structured salary steps based on years of recognised classroom experience. Regional and rural schools frequently offer subsidized housing, relocation assistance, and annual retention bonuses.

WHY PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE IN DEMAND IN AUSTRALIA

• National demographic growth and expanding primary school enrolments across major cities and growth corridors
• A nationwide shortage of primary educators, with government modeling indicating thousands of unfilled positions
• Regional and rural schools experiencing severe recruitment challenges for qualified classroom teachers
• Increased emphasis on small class sizes, early literacy interventions, and STEM initiatives in primary curricula
• Inclusion of Primary School Teacher on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), highlighting ongoing national priority

EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN AUSTRALIA

Public school departments, Catholic education dioceses, and independent primary schools across Australia can sponsor qualified overseas Primary School Teachers through the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa, and regional employer-sponsored programs.

At Migration Republic, we support schools and educators through every stage of the sponsorship process, ensuring compliance with Department of Home Affairs requirements, labour market testing guidelines, AITSL skills assessments, and state teacher registration bodies.

We help employers with:

• Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) applications and school eligibility audits
• Sponsoring overseas Primary School Teachers under the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) permanent residency applications
• Labour Market Testing (LMT) compliance aligned with school hiring schedules
• AITSL skills assessment document preparation and verification
• State teacher registration guidance across all Australian states and territories
• Ongoing sponsorship compliance management and nomination lodgements

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HOW MIGRATION REPUBLIC CAN HELP YOU

Navigating an AITSL skills assessment with its strict 45-day primary practicum and Academic IELTS rules, securing state teacher registration, and managing employer nomination applications requires meticulous planning. Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Republic specialise in education sector migration and ensure your application is decision-ready.

Here's what we take care of for you:

• Confirming that ANZSCO 241213 accurately matches your qualifications and teaching experience
• Preparing and lodging a complete, decision-ready AITSL skills assessment application
• Guiding you through state/territory teacher registration (NESA, VIT, QCT, TRBWA, TRBSA) and WWCC checks
• Evaluating employer sponsorship pathways under Subclass 482 and Subclass 186
• Managing your full visa application from nomination through to grant

Frequently Asked Questions – Employer Sponsorship for Primary School Teachers