Your Guide to Early Childhood Teacher PR Pathway in Australia

If you’re passionate about shaping the future through education, becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia not only opens doors to a rewarding career but also serves as a promising pathway to Permanent Residency (PR). Let’s explore the steps, eligibility criteria, and benefits of the Early Childhood Teacher PR Pathway in Australia.

Why choose the Early Childhood Teaching PR pathway?

1. Highly in demand:

According to Job and Skills Australia, Early Childhood Teacher is under shortage across all states and territories across Australia:

This means your career pathway is pretty much guaranteed after the course completion wherever you are.

2. Multiple PR pathways:

Visa Pathways for Early Childhood Teachers

1. Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa)

• Ideal for candidates without state or employer sponsorship.
• Points-tested and allows freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.

2. Subclass 190 & 191 (Skilled Nominated Visa)

• Requires state nomination but offers priority processing.
• Applicants must meet specific state criteria, such as teaching experience or completing studies in Australia.

3. Subclass 491 & 494 (Skilled Work Regional Visa)

• Suitable for those willing to work in regional areas.
• Offers a pathway to PR after three years.

4. Employer-Sponsored Visas (e.g., Subclass 186, Subclass 482)

• Employers can sponsor you directly for temporary or permanent visas.
• Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) provides a faster route to start working, with clear PR pathways via Subclass 186 after meeting the requirements.

Check your eligibility for Early Childhood Teacher PR Pathway

1. Meet BOTH Qualifications requirements:
   • An ACECQA nationally approved early childhood teaching (ECT) qualification (or equivalent)
   • English proficiency: one year of full-time tertiary or higher education level study in either: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States of America or,

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test – Academic version: a score of seven (7.0) or more in the reading and writing components, and a score of eight (8.0) or more in the speaking and listening components, undertaken in the last three years.

International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR) – Teacher-focused assessment: Level 4 in all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, undertaken at an approved testing site in the last three years.

On a case-by-case basis, ACECQA will consider evidence of a professional reference from an employer in either: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.

1. Get a positive Skills Assessment:
   • Verify your qualifications and teaching experience through ACECQA.
2. Points-Tested Visa Requirements:
   • Points are awarded for age, qualifications, experience, and English language ability. It is always recommended to go for Superior English for 20 points and NAATI for an extra 5 points.
   • Most recent invitation rounds have seen a reduction in required points for early childhood teachers, enhancing the accessibility of this PR pathway.

State Nomination and Employer Sponsorship

State nomination can significantly boost your PR chances. Requirements vary but often prioritise:

• Recent work experience in Early Childhood Teaching.
• Commitment to living and working in the nominating state.

Employers in regional and urban areas are also eager to sponsor qualified teachers, making employer-sponsored pre-primary school teacher visas a viable option for immediate employment and eventual PR.

Key Tips for Success in Your PR Journey

• Lodge Your EOI: Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect as early as possible to secure invitations.
• Stay Updated: Monitor changes in points thresholds and visa availability. You can follow our social media accounts to keep yourself informed.(TikTok, Instagram, Facebook accounts update latest migration news)
• Seek Expert Advice: common mistakes like claiming the wrong points can lead to visa refusal, have a one on one consultation with migration lawyers like us to avoid these situations.

If you’re ready to start your PR journey, or still have questions about the Early Childhood Teacher Visa, contact us for assistance or answers today!