AITSL-FAQ

Updated on 4 Nov 2019

How do I contact AITSL? 
Email: [e-mail]
Free call: 1800 337 872 (9am-5pm AEST weekdays)
International call: [phone] (AITSL does not return international calls)

Does AITSL provide face-to-face services? 
AITSL does not provide face-to-face services. Please direct all skills assessment enquiries to our email or telephone services. Visitors to the AITSL office will not be met with.
All correspondence about an application should be made via the Applicant portal or [e-mail]. Emails sent to other email addresses will not be considered or responded to.

How do I apply? 
Applications must be made through AITSL’s Applicant Portal. For further details on the evidence needed to submit an application, please refer to the Application Guide and checklist for your occupation, available at Migrate to Australia. For information on how to use the Applicant portal, please refer to the user guide available on the Migrate to Australia webpage.

Do I need an agent to apply for an assessment? 
No, there is no requirement to use an agent when applying for a skills assessment.

What are the fees for skills assessment?
For information about current fees please visit our fees page.

Do I need to get my documents certified?
No. If you are applying online it is no longer a requirement to get your documents certified. Please scan your original documents in colour and at a minimum resolution of 300dpi. Applicants from the People’s Republic of China still need to provide certified notarial booklets. Please refer to pages 4 -6 of the Application guide for full instructions.

Do supporting documents need to be submitted at the same time as an application?
Yes, AITSL requires a complete application to be lodged for assessment. Colour copies of all supporting documents must be uploaded at the time an application is submitted. If further information needs to be requested this will result in delays to the assessment process.

Does AITSL offer a fast track assessment service?
No, AITSL does not provide a fast track assessment service. If an assessment outcome is needed by a specific date it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure a complete application is submitted well before the required date.

How do I apply for skills assessment?
The step-by-step process can be found on our web page at Migrate to Australia. After you have read the documents and guides, please go to the Applicant portal to start the online application process.

How do I upload my documents? 
Scan your documents in at least 300 dpi resolution. Ensure that your documents are in the correct format. The Applicant portal will only accept pdf, jpeg, jpg, png, bmp and tiff file formats. Don’t forget to click upload once you have attached your document.

How do I add a document after I have already submitted my application?
Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to add documents. You will receive notification if you are required to submit additional documents and be given access to upload documents in the Applicant portal.

I need some assistance. How do I get technical help with using the Applicant portal?
You can contact AITSL on the following numbers
Free call: 1800 337 872 (9am-5pm AEST weekdays)
International call: [phone] (AITSL does not return international calls)
Email: [e-mail]

Can AITSL help with migration and visa advice?
No, questions about migration, visa and points requirements must be directed to the Department of Home Affairs. AITSL can only answer questions about the skills assessment of school teacher occupations.

What are the criteria and requirements?
For information about criteria and requirements for the different teacher occupations, please visit the Migrate to Australia webpage and download the Application Guide and the checklist specific to the occupation you wish to nominate.

Can I get advice from AITSL on whether I meet the criteria?
No. AITSL can only provide general information. We do not provide a pre-assessment service. AITSL compares an applicant's qualifications against the assessment criteria in place at the time they apply. Without a complete application including a full set of evidence, AITSL is not able to provide an assessment.

What should I study to gain a successful assessment?
AITSL cannot provide advice on proposed study to meet the requirements of this assessment. AITSL compares an applicant’s qualifications against the assessment criteria in place at the time they apply. Assessment criteria may change over time to reflect current Australian teaching standards and Australia’s immigration policy. As such, AITSL advises against making educational choices solely on the basis of hoping to achieve a particular migration outcome.

I have worked as a teacher for many years. Does experience count in meeting the criteria? 
No, the AITSL skills assessment for teachers is a qualifications based assessment. Work experience undertaken before or after the completion of an initial teacher education qualification will not be considered as part of the skills assessment.

Which school teacher occupation should I apply for?
AITSL cannot direct or recommend an applicant to choose a particular occupation. A skills assessment considers an applicant’s qualifications and English language proficiency. Applicants should choose the school teacher occupation for which their teaching qualification/s is most relevant.

What is the difference between Special Needs Teacher (ANZSCO 241511) and Special Education Teacher (nec) (ANZSCO 241599)?
A Special Needs Teacher has a specialist qualification for teaching students in early childhood, primary, middle and secondary school, with learning difficulties or other special needs.

A Special Education Teacher (not elsewhere classified) has a specialist qualification in a distinct field/s of special education not covered by the occupations:

Special needs teacher
Teacher of the hearing impaired
Teacher of the sight impaired

What qualifications can AITSL consider?
A skills assessment can consider qualifications that are:
of at least one year full-time duration (or part-time equivalent)
have been completed
completed in any country
teaching and non-teaching.
For teaching qualifications, AITSL is able to consider qualifications comparable to the educational level of an Australian bachelor degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7) or higher.

For non-teaching qualifications, AITSL is able to consider qualifications comparable to the educational level of an Australian Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 6) or higher.

Please note: AITSL does not have a list of accredited programs for skills assessment purposes.

Can you take a look at my qualifications and let me know if I meet the criteria? 
AITSL does not provide a pre-assessment service. We compare an applicant's qualifications against the assessment criteria in place at the time they apply. Without a complete application including a full set of evidence, AITSL is not able to provide an assessment.

Do I have to include all my higher education qualifications in my application?
Applicants should include details of all completed higher education qualifications. Please refer to the application guide for the documents to include for each qualification.

Can incomplete qualifications be considered as part of the assessment? 
No, AITSL cannot consider study that has not resulted in a formal academic qualification.

My course is not on AITSL’s accredited list. Could my course be recognised?
AITSL Assessment for Migration does NOT have a list of accredited programs for the purposes of skilled migration. The accredited programs list on the AITSL website is a record of programs accredited as an initial teacher education program in Australia.

What is an initial teacher education (ITE) qualification? 
An initial teacher education qualification is the qualification required to teach in a school classroom or educational setting. It must include at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) and be specific to the stage of schooling of the nominated occupation.
The qualification must include a program of professional studies in education including discipline-specific curriculum, pedagogical studies, general education studies and supervised teaching practice relevant to the age range of the students for the occupation you have nominated.

My award certificate and transcript can be downloaded from the university portal. Can AITSL download these documents?
No, it is your responsibility to download these documents from the university portal and upload them to your application.

Does AITSL consider employment based or school led routes into the teaching procession (e.g. GTP, SCITT)? 
AITSL Assessment for Migration can only consider initial teacher education programs that result in a formal academic award, final academic transcript and a statement of supervised teaching practice all issued by the institution awarding the teaching qualification.

Is my Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) considered a qualification in a skills assessment? 
No. QTS is the accreditation that enables you to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales. As the QTS is not an academic qualification AITSL cannot consider it as part of the skills assessment.

Does an initial teacher education qualification need to be relevant to the nominated school teacher occupation? 
Yes, the skills assessment requires an applicant to have completed at least one year of initial teacher education study relevant to the nominated occupation. A qualification designed for practice as one school teacher occupation would not likely meet the requirements for a second occupation. Please note that this may be different to the requirements for teacher registration.

I have Montessori qualifications. Can I use them as evidence of initial teacher education? 
No, Montessori qualifications in general are not recognised by AITSL as meeting the professional criterion as it is considered a specialised method of teaching.

Can Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) qualifications be considered as initial teacher education qualifications?
No, AITSL completes assessments for the purpose of migration for school teacher occupations only. If your qualification is in TESOL, TEFL or ESL you may need to refer to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) from the Department of Home Affairs for an appropriate occupation and the relevant assessment authority. Please note that some initial teacher education qualifications may have ESL or TESOL as a specialist subject area.

Can I do other language tests aside from IELTS to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement?
No. AITSL will only accept an Academic IELTS test report form. We do NOT accept PTE, PEAT, ISLPR, TOEFL or any other form of English language test.

What type of qualifications can be considered towards meeting the study option of the English language criterion? 
An AITSL skills assessment can consider qualifications that are:
completed in any of the six listed English speaking countries that results in award of a qualification;
of at least one year full-time study duration; and
comparable to the educational level of an Australian bachelor degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7) or higher.

Please note: that to fulfil the study option of the English Language criterion (Option 1), your total study must equal four full years in any of the six listed English speaking countries and this study must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification.

What is the English language requirement? 
An AITSL skills assessment includes an English language requirement which can be met either through a study option or with a suitable Academic IELTS Test Report Form. AITSL does not accept any other form of English language test towards meeting this requirement. For further details please refer to the application guide and checklist for your occupation available in the Migrate to Australia webpage.

Can a PhD be considered towards the study option of the English language criterion? 
AITSL will only consider a doctoral degree completed in one of the six listed English speaking countries to be a maximum of two years of full-time study towards meeting the study option of the English language criterion. Please note that the initial teacher education including the supervised teaching practice component must also have been completed in one of the six listed countries.

Can an applicant include evidence to meet both the study and Academic IELTS options of the English language criterion?
An applicant should only include evidence for one option. However, AITSL reserves the right to ask an applicant to undertake the Academic version of the IELTS test if there is uncertainty about their level of English language proficiency.

What is supervised teaching practice (STP)? 
Supervised teaching practice is the compulsory component of an initial teacher education program during which time a student teacher is on a school placement and engaged in the teaching and learning process with school students. This teaching practice is under the supervision of a qualified teacher and university education staff and is formally assessed by the university. University based teaching practice activities undertaken with fellow students and university staff will not be considered.

Does work experience count towards meeting the supervised teaching practice requirements?
No. For the purpose of skills assessment, work experience undertaken before, or after the completion of an initial teacher education qualification is not supervised teaching practice. Only supervised teaching practice undertaken with school students in a school setting, as a compulsory component of an initial teacher education qualification, will be considered.

Does supervised teaching practice need to be completed with every age specified for an occupation?
No. The minimum duration of supervised teaching practice must be undertaken within the age range but does not need to be completed with every age in the age range. For example, if you are applying for early childhood occupation and the STP requirement states birth to 8 years range and you have done birth to 5 years, we would consider the STP as meeting the requirement.

What is the difference between an AITSL and ACECQA assessment? 
The purpose of the AITSL skills assessment is to determine whether your qualifications and English language proficiency meet the requirements for skilled migration, in one of the nominated school teacher occupations. For more information visit the Migrate to Australia webpage.

AITSL’s assessment is intended for migration purposes only.

The purpose of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) assessment is to determine whether your qualifications meet the requirements to work in early childhood education and care services in Australia.
ACECQA’s assessment is not intended for migration purposes. For more information contact ACECQA.

My early childhood course is not on AITSL’s accredited list. Could my course be recognised?
AITSL Assessment for Migration does NOT have a list of accredited programs for the purposes of skilled migration. The accredited programs list on the AITSL website is a record of primary, primary/early childhood and secondary teacher programs accredited as an initial teacher education program in Australia. If you would like to check if your qualification is National Quality Framework (NQF) approved, please visit the ACECQA website.

Will my qualifications meet the requirements of both AITSL and ACECQA?
There are some differences in the qualifications requirements for assessments undertaken by AITSL and ACECQA.

AITSL’s qualification criterion is informed by initial teacher education program accreditation standards and teacher registration requirements in Australian states and territories. Teachers must be registered to teach in an Australian school. Qualification requirements can be found in the application guide on the Migrate to Australia webpage.

ACECQA’s minimum qualification requirements are informed by those set in the National Quality Framework (NQF). Educators working in children’s education and care services must meet these requirements. There are also some states and territory specific qualification requirements for working with school age children (e.g. in outside school hour services).

ACECQA offers a qualifications checker to see whether your qualifications are recognised under the NQF. For more information contact or visit ACECQA.

My supervised teaching practice only covered from ages birth to 5 years, can my initial teacher education still be found suitable? 
Yes, the minimum duration of supervised teaching practice must be undertaken within the age range but does not need to be completed with every age in the age range. The STP requirement for early childhood teacher states birth to 8 years range but if you have done birth to 5 years, we would consider the STP as meeting the requirement.

I have ACECQA recognition as an Early Childhood Teacher. Can I use this for my AITSL Assessment for Migration? 
No. AITSL Assessment for Migration and ACECQA recognition are separate and different. Each have different requirements. It is important to understand that a successful assessment for one does not ensure a successful assessment for the other.

I have received a suitable skills assessment outcome for the Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher occupation. Do I need an ACECQA assessment too?
To work in some early childhood education and care services in Australia you may need to have your qualifications assessed by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority. For more information contact or visit ACECQA.

Can I use my AITSL Assessment for Migration to gain ACECQA recognition?
No. AITSL Assessment for Migration and ACECQA recognition are separate and different. Each have different requirements. It is important to understand that a successful assessment for one does not ensure a successful assessment for the other.

Is teacher registration required for an AITSL skills assessment?
No, the AITSL skills assessment does not require an applicant to hold teacher registration. If you wish to work as a teacher in Australia you will need to gain registration with the teacher regulatory authority in the relevant state/territory. A complete list of authorities is available here.

I am a registered teacher in Australia, do I still need to apply for an AITSL skills assessment?
An AITSL skills assessment is for skilled migration purposes only. It is separate to teacher registration requirements. If as part of your migration you require a skills assessment for a school teacher occupation, you will need to apply to AITSL. Please confirm with the Department of Home Affairs whether you require a skills assessment for your migration.

I have received a suitable skills assessment outcome for a teacher occupation. Do I need teacher registration too?
To teach in Australia, you need teacher registration. The registration and employment of teachers in Australia is the responsibility of the relevant state and territory authorities. Contact details of the state and territory regulatory authorities can be found at Migrate to Australia links.

Will AITSL provide updates about the assessment?
No. However the dashboard in the Applicant portal will show you when your application has been successfully submitted, when it is under assessment and when it has been finalised. If AITSL needs to contact you, you will receive an email to your nominated email address asking you to log in to the Applicant portal and review your messages.

How long does an assessment take?
AITSL’s estimated processing time is 10 weeks from the date of submission. The 10 week timeline only applies if a complete application is received. If an application is incomplete or incorrect this will delay the processing of your application.

Can an application be withdrawn? Will a refund be issued?
Yes, an application can be withdrawn. To withdraw an application, AITSL needs to receive a request in writing (email) from the applicant. AITSL can only issue a partial refund (AUD700) if the assessment of the application has not commenced. No refund will be issued if assessment of the application has started.

What happens after a suitable assessment outcome is issued? 
For next steps after an assessment, applicants should contact the Department of Home Affairs.

How many points do I get for my work experience?
Points for skilled migration purposes is a matter for the Department of Home Affairs to determine. The Department has guidance on points depending on the visa types.

What counts as closely related occupation?
Closely related skilled occupation is defined by the Department of Home Affairs as those occupations that fall within one unit group classified under ANZSCO. Occupations are grouped together under ANZSCO to form unit groups. Unit groups are denoted by 4-digit codes and generally are at one skill level.
For example, if the application is for the occupation of primary school teacher, (ANZSCO 241213), the applicant could not use work experience as a secondary school teacher (ANZSCO 241411), as it is in a different unit group and would have a different range and complexity of tasks.

How long is an assessment certificate valid? Can it be renewed? 
An AITSL skills assessment certificate is valid for two years from the date of issue and cannot be renewed.

I disagree with an assessment outcome. What can I do?
Your first step is to contact AITSL to clarify the reason behind your assessment outcome. If you do not agree with your outcome, you may request a formal appeal. This request must be made within 60 days of the date of your assessment outcome.
The application for appeal will be emailed to you on request and must be lodged within 30 days of receiving the form. There is a fee for this service. For information about current fees please visit our fees page.
An independent reviewer will consider the original application and additional information/evidence demonstrating you met the assessment criteria at the time of your initial assessment. If you wish to submit new evidence obtained after the date of your assessment outcome, such as a recent qualification or an Academic IELTS test result, you will need to submit a new assessment application.
All correspondence about an application and appeals should be made via the Applicant portal or [e-mail]. Emails sent to other email addresses will not be considered or responded to.

Can I apply to get a skilled employment statement?
Successful applicants who receive a positive AITSL Skills Assessment Certificate will be eligible to request a Skilled Employment Statement (SES). You can request a skilled employment statement from the Applicant portal after your assessment is finalised. You will need to upload your statements of employment. Further information regarding the requirements for skilled employment statements can be found in our SES webpage. Applicants who do not receive a Skills Assessment Certificate are ineligible to apply for an SES.2.