Demand
Is teaching in demand in Australia?
Yes — significantly. Australia faces a serious teacher shortage, particularly in:
STEM subjects
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Technology teachers are in critical shortage across all states.
Secondary school
Year 7–12 teachers across most subjects are needed. Secondary teaching qualifications from Kenya are generally well recognised.
Regional and rural areas
Regional schools offer faster pathways, state nomination, and sometimes higher salaries. Strong opportunity for Subclass 491.
✅ Good news for Kenyan teachers: Kenya's education system is well regarded internationally. Your Bachelor of Education or PGDE from a recognised Kenyan university is generally accepted by AITSL for skills assessment.
Visa Pathways
The three main visa options for teachers
Permanent residency from day one. No employer or state sponsorship needed. Points-tested — you need at least 65 points. Teaching is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Permanent residency immediately
- Live and work anywhere in Australia
- No employer needed
- Minimum 65 points required
- AITSL skills assessment required
Permanent residency with state or territory nomination. Nomination adds 5 points to your score. Must live and work in the nominating state for 2 years.
- Permanent residency
- State nomination adds 5 points
- Must live in nominating state 2 years
- Each state has its own criteria
- AITSL skills assessment required
Temporary (5 years) with a pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191. State or family sponsorship. Must live and work in regional Australia. Nomination adds 15 points.
- 5-year temporary visa
- Pathway to PR via Subclass 191
- Nomination adds 15 points
- Must live in regional area
- Lower points threshold to enter pool
💡 Which visa is right for you? If you have 65+ points and teaching is on the MLTSSL, apply for the 189 first. If your points are borderline, consider 190 or 491 with state nomination. The 491 is excellent for teachers willing to work in regional or rural Australia — regional schools actively recruit and support migrant teachers.
Skills Assessment
AITSL Skills Assessment — what you need
AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) assesses your teaching qualifications for migration purposes. This is required for all three visa pathways.
Create an AITSL account
Go to aitsl.edu.au → Overseas Trained Teachers → Skills Assessment. Create a free account. This is where you submit your application and documents.
Gather your documents
You need: certified copies of your teaching qualification (B.Ed or PGDE), academic transcripts, teacher registration certificate from TSC Kenya, proof of teaching experience (employment letters), certified English translations of any documents not in English, and your passport.
Submit and pay
AITSL assessment fee is approximately AUD 500. Processing takes 10–16 weeks. You will receive an outcome letter — either Positive (qualified to teach) or advice on what additional requirements you need.
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
Once you have a positive AITSL assessment, submit your EOI on the SkillSelect system at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Calculate your points carefully — age, English, qualifications, experience, and study in Australia all contribute.
IELTS Requirements
English requirements for teacher migration
Teaching has higher English requirements than many other occupations. Here are the current benchmarks:
| Pathway | Overall | Each Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AITSL Skills Assessment | 7.5 | 7.0 minimum | Required for positive assessment outcome |
| Subclass 189 / 190 | 7.0 | 7.0 minimum | Proficient English — 10 points |
| Subclass 189 / 190 | 8.0 | 8.0 minimum | Superior English — 20 points |
| Subclass 491 | 6.0 | 6.0 minimum | Competent English minimum |
| State Teacher Registration | 7.5–8.0 | Varies by state | Required to actually work as a teacher |
✅ Key insight: You need IELTS 7.5 overall (7.0 in each band) for the AITSL assessment — which is higher than the visa requirement itself. Focus on hitting 7.5 overall with no band below 7.0. AusPath's IELTS modules and AI writing feedback are specifically calibrated to help you reach this target.
Points Calculator
How your points add up
| Factor | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age 25–32 | 30 | Peak points age bracket |
| Age 33–39 | 25 | Still competitive |
| Age 40–44 | 15 | Lower but still viable |
| IELTS 7.0+ (Proficient) | 10 | 7.0 in each band |
| IELTS 8.0+ (Superior) | 20 | 8.0 in each band — major advantage |
| Bachelor degree | 15 | B.Ed qualifies |
| Doctorate | 20 | PhD adds 5 over Bachelor |
| 3–5 years skilled work | 10 | Teaching experience in Kenya counts |
| 5–8 years skilled work | 15 | Strong advantage for experienced teachers |
| 8+ years skilled work | 20 | Maximum work experience points |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | Must meet state criteria |
| Regional nomination (491) | +15 | Significant advantage |
| Study in regional Australia | 5 | If you studied at a regional university |
💡 Typical Kenyan teacher profile: Age 28–35 (25–30 pts) + B.Ed (15 pts) + IELTS 7.5 (10 pts) + 5 years teaching (15 pts) = 65–70 points. This is competitive for a 189 invitation. Adding superior English (IELTS 8.0) pushes you to 75+ points — significantly stronger.
Start with your IELTS preparation
Your IELTS score is the most controllable part of your migration points. AusPath helps Kenyan teachers reach 7.5+ with structured modules and AI writing feedback.
Get IELTS Modules — KSh 2,500 Visa Tools — KSh 4,000