Australian PR Points for Primary School Teacher, ANZSCO 241213
Primary School Teachers (ANZSCO 241213) are consistently in demand across Australia. As an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), it offers multiple pathways to permanent residency, including the 190 and 491 visas. State and territory governments frequently prioritise education professionals, meaning you can often secure an invitation with points lower than the overall programme averages. Let's break down your points prospects across the three main skilled visas.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Primary School Teacher, STSOL status
Historical 189 invitation cutoffs for ANZSCO 241213 have generally sat around 75 to 85 points. It's a competitive pathway, but very achievable compared to non-priority sectors.
→ Subclass 189 guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
The 190 visa is arguably the best route for teachers. Almost all states actively nominate Primary School Teachers, often running targeted rounds for education professionals.
→ Subclass 190 guideSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
A fantastic option if you're open to living outside major cities. The +15 point boost, combined with strong regional demand for teachers, makes the 491 highly accessible.
→ Subclass 491 guideYour Primary School Teacher Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | N/A | +5 | +15 |
| Indicative cutoff (ANZSCO 241213) | 75-85 pts | 70-80 pts | 65-75 pts |
| Occupation list | STSOL | STSOL | STSOL |
| Typical invitation frequency | Medium | High | High |
| Primary assessing body | AITSL | AITSL | AITSL |
Invitation cutoffs vary significantly by round and occupation ceiling. These figures are a historical guide based on recent SkillSelect trends.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for latest resultsSkills Assessment for Primary School Teachers
Securing a positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Primary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241213) is assessed by AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership)
| Assessing body | AITSL |
| Official portal | aitsl.edu.au |
| Processing time | Typically several weeks (check portal for updates) |
| Approximate fee | AUD $1,050 |
| English requirement | Strict: Minimum IELTS 7.0 (R,W) & 8.0 (S,L) OR 4 years higher ed in AU/US/UK/CA/IE/NZ. No PTE accepted. |
| Qualification required | 4 years higher education (AQF 7+), including Initial Teacher Education (ITE) & 45 days supervised practice. |
AITSL's requirements are notoriously strict, especially regarding English language proficiency and supervised teaching practice. Ensure your practice was explicitly within the 5–12 years age range in a primary school setting. Short courses or non-academic qualifications do not count toward your four years of study.
⚠ English Test Warning: AITSL only accepts the Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They do not accept PTE Academic, TOEFL, or other tests for skills assessment purposes, unless you qualify for the study exemption.
State Nomination for Primary School Teachers: Which States to Target
State nomination gives you +5 points (190) or +15 points (491). Thankfully, teachers are in high demand across the board.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Yes | Yes | High demand. Teachers are directly employed by the NSW Department of Education. |
| VIC | Yes | Yes | Education is considered a priority sector, strengthening ROI prospects. |
| QLD | Yes | Yes | Listed on both onshore and offshore skilled lists. Specific English conditions apply. |
| SA | Yes | Yes | Accessible via standard pathways and included in the SA DAMA. |
| WA | Yes | Yes | Education and Training is a priority industry sector for WA migration. |
| TAS | Yes | Yes | Very accessible if you have studied or are working in Tasmania. |
| ACT | Yes | Yes | Assessed via the Canberra Matrix points system. |
| NT | Check | Yes | Preference heavily given to applicants already residing in the NT. |
Note: State occupation lists are updated periodically. Always verify at each state's official migration portal before applying.
Because teaching is universally needed, you have excellent flexibility regarding where you live. Applying for state nomination (subclass 190) is generally the smartest strategy to secure a quicker invite while you wait in the 189 pool.
How to Improve Your Score as a Primary School Teacher
Personalised to ANZSCO 241213, practical steps to bump your points up.
1. English Language Proficiency
You already need IELTS 7.0/8.0 for AITSL skills assessment (if not study-exempt). If you can push to Superior English (e.g., IELTS 8.0 across the board or equivalent), you gain 20 points for migration.
→ English points guide2. State Nomination (190)
Adding 5 points via state nomination is the most reliable way to improve your chances. Every major state wants teachers, so engaging with state pathways is essential.
→ 190 visa guide3. Partner Skills Points
If you have a partner, getting their skills assessed or having them achieve competent English can add 5 to 10 points to your overall application.
→ Partner points guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (20 points total) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Australian work exp (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the Proposed 2026 Reform Affects Teachers
⚠ Keep in mind: The 2026 points test reform is only proposed right now, it is not legislated. The current Schedule 6D points system remains in full effect.
The good news is that education is consistently categorised as a core priority sector. Any new occupation-matching mechanisms are likely to work in your favour, as the government continues to try and plug teaching shortages across the country. It's an excellent time to be applying as an educator.
→ Learn more about the 2026 points test reform