Primary and Secondary Teaching Courses in Australia

Quick answer

To teach in an Australian primary or secondary school you need an accredited initial teacher education degree: a 4-year Bachelor of Education, or a 2-year Master of Teaching (Primary or Secondary) after another bachelor degree. You then register with your state teacher regulator, which in Victoria is the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). For skilled migration, AITSL assesses teachers. It needs 4 years of university study, including at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice, and English shown by qualifying study or Academic IELTS of 7.0 in reading and writing and 8.0 in speaking and listening.

Teaching Courses at a Glance

Course Options by Study Level

Initial Teacher Education Degrees

Teaching degrees in Australia are called initial teacher education programs. They are accredited by the state or territory teacher regulator against national standards set by AITSL. Most international students choose a 4-year Bachelor of Education or, if they already hold a bachelor degree, a 2-year Master of Teaching. Secondary teaching courses require enough earlier study in the subjects you want to teach, such as maths, science or English. Before you graduate you must also pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE).

Teacher Registration

You must be registered with the teacher regulator in the state or territory where you teach. In Victoria, graduates of a Victorian program apply to the Victorian Institute of Teaching for provisional registration, up to four months before they graduate, and later move to full registration. VIT requires an English test, with IELTS Academic of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in reading and writing, only if you completed your teacher education outside Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada or Ireland.

AITSL Skills Assessment

AITSL assesses school teachers against two criteria. First, at least 4 years of full-time university study, including an initial teacher education qualification with at least 1 year of teacher education and 45 days of supervised teaching practice in the age range of your occupation (5 to 12 years for primary, 13 to 18 years for secondary). Second, English shown either by 4 years of university study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US, or by an Academic IELTS result of at least 7.0 in reading and writing and 8.0 in speaking and listening on one test report, taken within 3 years. AITSL does not accept PTE or TOEFL. A 2-year Master of Teaching after a 3-year bachelor degree usually meets the 4-year study rule, but if your bachelor degree was from another country you will normally need the IELTS result.

Careers and Skilled Occupation Lists

These occupations are linked to teaching degrees. List status is from our Occupation Finder data, checked 15 October 2026. Primary and Middle School Teacher are not on the Medium and Long-term list, so they usually need state nomination or employer sponsorship.

Lists: MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List), ROL (Regional Occupation List), CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List for the 482 and 186 visas). Check any occupation in our Occupation Finder.

How to Start

1. Choose your course and levelTell us your previous study, English results, budget and career goal. We shortlist courses and providers that fit.
2. Check your teaching areas and EnglishFor secondary teaching, check that your earlier study covers your teaching subjects. Plan for the IELTS scores you will need for registration and the AITSL assessment.
3. Check the provider on CRICOSInternational students must study a course registered on CRICOS. The CRICOS duration also matters for the 485 visa, which needs at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia over at least 16 months.
4. Apply and accept your offerApply with your documents, accept the offer, pay the deposit and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover. The provider then issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
5. Apply for your Student visaLodge your Student visa (subclass 500) with evidence of funds, English and the Genuine Student requirement. Since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia. See our Student visa guide.

How Aussie ASEAN Can Help

We compare Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching programs on placements, teaching areas and total length, help with your application and Student visa, and our Registered Migration Agent can plan your 485 visa, AITSL assessment and state nomination.

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Related courses and visas

Sources: AITSL skills assessment process · AITSL Primary School Teacher checklist · AITSL Secondary School Teacher checklist · AITSL fees · VIT English language requirements · VIT graduate registration · CHC40225 on training.gov.au