Australian PR Points for Early Childhood Teacher, ANZSCO 241111
Early Childhood Teachers (ANZSCO 241111) represent one of the most heavily prioritised occupations in Australia's General Skilled Migration programme. Sector workforce studies put the national shortfall of early childhood educators at roughly 21,000, a gap widened by the staged rollout of universal access to kindergarten for three-year-olds and compounded by high staff turnover in the sector. Because early childhood education is widely recognised as a critical shortage area, applicants often find invitation cutoffs to be much more forgiving compared to other professions. Based on general historical patterns for this MLTSSL category, subclass 189 invitations have often gone to candidates at or near the 65-point minimum, though the Department of Home Affairs does not publish occupation-specific cutoffs for every round. This page breaks down your points score across all three visa pathways, with occupation-specific context on the ACECQA assessment process and state nomination landscape.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Early Childhood Teacher, MLTSSL status
Based on general historical patterns, competitive scores for ANZSCO 241111 under the 189 have often sat in the indicative 65-70 point range — not a published cutoff — reflecting how accessible this pathway tends to be relative to the broader skilled migration programme.
→ Check your 189 optionsSubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
With base points in the indicative 65-70 range, Early Childhood Teachers have often been competitive for 190 consideration, though actual thresholds vary by state and round. Most states actively target this occupation for their local economies.
→ Full 190 nomination guideSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
The generous +15 regional bonus means the 491 visa is extremely accessible for educators open to living and teaching in regional Australia.
→ Full 491 regional guideYour Early Childhood Teacher Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Indicative range (ANZSCO 241111) | ~65-70 pts | ~65 pts | ~65 pts |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Typical invitation frequency | High | High | High |
| Primary assessing body | ACECQA | ACECQA | ACECQA |
Invitation cutoffs vary per round and depend on occupation ceilings set by the Department of Home Affairs. These figures act as a historic guide, not a guarantee of future outcomes.
→ Check our monthly invitation round tracker for the latest dataSkills Assessment for Early Childhood Teachers
Securing a positive skills assessment is a mandatory step before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (ANZSCO 241111) are assessed by ACECQA
| Assessing body | Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) |
| Official portal | acecqa.gov.au |
| Processing time | Approx. 60 days (for complete applications) |
| Current fee | AUD $1,100 (subject to change) |
| Assessment type | Migration Skills Assessment |
| Core requirements | Relevant Bachelor degree (or higher) + Strict English proficiency |
Important on English: ACECQA imposes stringent English requirements. Unless you've completed at least one year of full-time tertiary study in a specified English-speaking country, you must provide high English test scores (e.g. IELTS Academic: 7.0 for Reading and Writing, and 8.0 for Speaking and Listening). Keep in mind that securing teacher registration in your target state is a distinct and separate process from this migration assessment.
A recent change worth knowing about: ACECQA took over as the sole assessing authority for this occupation from AITSL in December 2024. Older articles and forum threads may still reference AITSL; disregard that if it conflicts with the current ACECQA process. ACECQA also requires evidence of supervised teaching practicum in an early childhood setting, generally around 80 days for undergraduate qualifications, separate from your academic units — check your transcript covers this before applying.
⚠ Warning: Your skills assessment must remain valid on the exact day you receive an Invitation to Apply, not just when you lodge your EOI. ACECQA assessments typically carry a specific validity period (e.g. 2–3 years). Ensure you renew it if it's nearing expiration.
State Nomination for Early Childhood Teachers
State nomination (190) grants +5 points, while regional sponsorship (491) grants +15 points. Here’s a summary of the general landscape for educators.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Conditional | Conditional | Strong demand across the state, subject to specific points/employment hurdles. |
| VIC | Conditional | Conditional | Education and early childhood is a designated high priority sector. |
| QLD | Conditional | Conditional | Appears on skilled lists; regional placements are highly sought after. |
| WA | Conditional | Conditional | Features on WA's state nominated priority lists. |
| SA | Conditional | Conditional | Accessible pathways for local graduates and currently employed residents. |
| TAS | Check current programme | Check current programme | We could not confirm Tasmania's current occupation-specific status for this role. Regional staffing pressure in early learning centres makes it worth checking directly on the Tasmanian migration portal. |
| ACT | Check current programme | Check current programme | Governed by the Canberra Matrix points system rather than a standard occupation list; check the current critical skills list. |
| NT | Check current programme | Check current programme | Strongly prefers Northern Territory residents; confirm current criteria before relying on this. |
Note: State occupation lists are dynamic and change often. Always confirm the most current eligibility criteria at the relevant state or territory's official migration portal before formulating your application strategy.
Because early childhood care is suffering from a systemic shortage throughout Australia, most states are highly motivated to nominate educators. While you must still meet individual state criteria (such as minimum residency or work experience), the sheer demand makes state sponsorship a very reliable route for genuine teachers.
How to Improve Your Score as an Early Childhood Teacher
Tailored for ANZSCO 241111, actionable steps to boost your points.
1. Superior English
Given ACECQA's strict English hurdles for your skills assessment, you are already likely capable of hitting Superior English (e.g. PTE 79 / IELTS 8.0). This adds a massive 20 points overall and secures a deeply competitive edge.
→ Full guide to increasing your points2. Partner Points
If you are single, or if your partner boasts competent English and a valid skills assessment in an eligible occupation, you can claim up to 10 points. This is one of the most substantial boosters available.
→ Partner skills breakdown3. Regional Employment
Opting to teach in a regional or designated area unlocks the subclass 491 visa (granting +15 points) and satisfies the urgent need for educators in regional communities.
→ 491 visa explained| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 1-3 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | State dependent | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | State dependent | Low |
| Australian work experience (1 yr) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the 2026 Reform Affects Early Childhood Teachers
⚠ The 2026 points test reform is proposed only, it has not yet been legislated. The existing Schedule 6D system remains entirely in effect.
The care economy features heavily in the Australian Government’s 2026-27 Budget priorities. Early Childhood Teachers are widely expected to benefit from the proposed occupation-matching priority system. As vital contributors to the care economy, pathways to permanent residency are anticipated to remain exceptionally favourable.
→ Learn more about the proposed 2026 points test reform