How to become a teacher in Australia from India | What You’ll Need to Do to Migrate to Australia as a Teacher

Teaching professions hold special consideration in Australia’s migration system because of the scarcity of qualified teacher professionals onshore. But for many prospective qualified candidates from offshore countries like India, it has been a confusing journey to migrate to Australia as a teacher, even though there is a high demand for the occupation. Most teaching roles are regarded as critical job roles throughout the nation and have captured a place on skills shortage lists in many states and territories.

Read our exclusive article on In-Demand Jobs in Australia for 2025 and Why Teaching Is a Top Career Choice.

Australia has a teaching workforce of around 438,060 people, with nearly 75,000 of them born overseas, making up about 17% of the total. A large share of these immigrant teachers come from the United Kingdom, followed by New Zealand, South Africa, India, the United States, and Canada. One survey showed that 36% of them were from the UK or Ireland. The group is mostly made up of women, with around 72.5% being female. Many of these teachers had prior teaching experience abroad, with 45% having taught in the UK or Ireland before moving to Australia. Others brought experience from countries like New Zealand, South Africa, and those in south-east Asia. They hold various qualifications, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorates. Their experience in Australia is mixed. Some feel their expectations were met, while others faced challenges such as slow paperwork, job insecurity, and negative reactions to their accents. Still, around 60% of the immigrant teachers said they would recommend teaching in Australia to others.

How to become a teacher in Australia

Whether you are taking help from an experienced MARA Agent or planning to go through the process on your own to become a teacher in australia, you should have a clear idea of the steps involved in the journey. When competition increased and migration rules tightened, many prospective applicants started approaching immigration experts to get the best out of their applications. In either case, you should be able to fulfil the eligibility criteria and meet all related requirements.

Choosing the right pathway would be the starting point. Subclass 189  The Skilled Independent visa lets you work anywhere in the country. Subclass 190 The Skilled Nominated visa  needs a state nomination plus two years of residence in that state.

Step 1- Showing proof of Language 

Showing the capacity to communicate with students effectively would be the first step in the process to become a teacher in Australia.   IELTS Academic is the accepted test for this requirement. You must achieve a minimum score of 8 in Listening and 8 in Speaking, along with at least 7.0 in Reading and Writing. If you earned your teaching degree in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, or Ireland, you may skip this test. Your IELTS result must be less than three years old when you apply.

Step 2-Skills Assessment

Do a quick search to find out which assessment body can perform a skills assessment for your job role. For example, most teaching skills assessments are conducted by AITSL, whereas Australia recently changed the authority for Early Childhood Teachers to ACECQA.

Visit their respective portal and select your teaching category. Gather certified copies of your degree transcript and passport. Provide proof of classroom work. Evidence of 45 days of supervised teaching as part of your studies is an essential part of most teaching occupation assessments. Pay the fee online and submit your form. Wait for the positive result. This outcome confirms that your credentials meet the Australian standards and lets you move further

Step 3- File Expression of Interest

The next step is to calculate your points. There are plenty of online calculators available for this. You should include all relevant details such as your IELTS score, skills assessment result, work experience, and educational background to get an accurate points estimate. Both subclasses 189 and 190 require at least 65 points to qualify.

If you meet the required points score, you can proceed to file your EOI on the Australian Home Affairs website to become a teacher in Australia. Create an account and fill in your personal details along with other information such as your test scores, skills assessment outcome, and total points. Review your entry and submit it.

Throughout the year, the government invites candidates with the highest scores. You can update your profile if you improve your skills or gain new qualifications. There is no fee to lodge an EOI.

Step 4. Apply for Your Visa

If the government considers your EOI and you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to file your visa application to become a teacher in Australia. You will need to gather documents such passport, health check reports, police clearances, and any proof related to your points claims. Pay the visa fee and submit your application online. You may be asked to provide additional documents if required. Once the application is approved, you will receive your visa grant and can start planning your move to Australia to begin your teaching career.

Benefits of becoming a teacher in Australia?

Teaching roles in Australia remain in high demand, with shortages reported both nationally and at the state level. The average salary stands at around $99,000 for primary and secondary school teachers, while early childhood teachers earn approximately $87,000. Over the last year, the education workforce grew by 4.5%, adding over 51,000 jobs, and wages in the sector rose by 4.4%.

Why choose a Mara Agent to help you become a teacher in Australia

To follow the steps mentioned earlier, candidates should have a clear understanding of the process and be aware of any challenges that might come up. Even unregistered migration advisers may not always be up to date with the latest changes. This is where MARA agents play an important role. They are legally authorised by the Australian government to provide advice on migration matters. They understand the process well and can help you avoid common mistakes. From preparation and document collection to the final application, a MARA agent can guide you through the steps in the most efficient way.

You can connect with a qualified MARA agency simply by filling out this form.