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How South African teachers can move to Australia in 2025: visas, documents and what to expect

Updated: Nov 3

Many South African teachers are eager to explore teaching opportunities in Australia, but there’s often confusion around the process and requirements.

The information below is relevant no matter where in the world you are currently teaching — if you are a South African citizen looking to move to Australia and teach, the same process applies.


That said, teachers working in the Middle East should note that the pathway is very different to what they may be used to. Australia demands unique documentation, stricter testing requirements, and a more formal visa process. This blog unpacks the process in detail so you can prepare with confidence.

kangaroos on the beach
Kangaroos on the beach

This blog will cover:


The type of visa

There are several visa options available for South African teachers wishing to live and work in Australia. In this section, we focus on the three most relevant pathways:


  • The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482 (via employer sponsorship)

  • The Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189 (permanent residency without sponsorship)

  • The Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190 (permanent residency via state nomination)


We'll also briefly touch on the Subclass 491 Regional Visa, a provisional option for teachers exploring alternative independent pathways.


Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – Subclass 482 (Employer-Sponsored)

This is the most common route for South African teachers working with SA-Recruitment. It allows skilled professionals to enter Australia and fill roles in shortage areas, particularly in education.

Key Features:

  • Temporary visa (valid for up to 4 years)

  • Sponsored by an approved Australian employer (e.g., a school or education department)

  • Can include family members (spouse and dependants)

  • Pathway to permanent residency is possible after 2 years, depending on circumstances

Costs:

  • Visa and legal fees are usually covered by the employer, including dependent costs (confirmed case by case)

  • Employer also pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy

Pros:

  • Quicker processing times

  • Strong support from the employer and a migration lawyer

  • Opportunity to enter Australia and start working sooner

  • Can gain Australian experience while building points for PR

Cons:

  • Tied to the sponsoring employer or school – changes require a new visa

  • If the job ends, the visa may be cancelled unless transferred

  • Not all roles or regions offer clear transition pathways to PR


Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189 (Points-Based PR)

This permanent residency visa is ideal for teachers who want to migrate without employer or state sponsorship. It allows complete freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Key Features:

  • Permanent residency granted upon approval

  • Points-based – requires submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) and invitation to apply

  • Based on qualifications, age, English ability, and experience

  • No restrictions on location or employer once granted

Eligibility:

  • Occupation on the MLTSSL (school teachers are included)

  • Under 45 years old

  • Minimum 75-80 points (in practice, 80+ is often needed for an invitation)

  • Valid skills assessment from AITSL

  • English test score (typically IELTS 7+ or equivalent)

Pros:

  • Full flexibility to choose where and how to work

  • No employer or state obligations

  • Direct path to citizenship after fulfilling residency requirements

Cons:

  • Highly competitive – many applicants need to improve points through study, experience, or English scores

  • Processing can take 12–24 months

  • All application costs are self-funded


Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190 (State-Nominated PR)

This is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. It's a strong option for teachers willing to commit to a specific region for a few years.

Key Features:

  • Permanent residency upon approval

  • State nomination provides an extra +5 points to your EOI score

  • Must live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years

Eligibility:

  • Occupation on the STSOL or MLTSSL

  • Meet all general skilled migration requirements (age, points, English, skills assessment)

  • Must meet state-specific criteria (these vary – e.g., years of experience, specialisations)

Pros:

  • Easier to receive an invitation than Subclass 189 (thanks to bonus points and state demand)

  • Immediate PR status upon visa grant

  • Priority processing compared to 189

Cons:

  • You are geographically tied to one state for at least two years

  • Criteria change often and vary between states

  • Some states don’t always accept offshore applicants


Other Pathway: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491

While not commonly used by SA-Recruitment applicants, the Subclass 491 visa is a provisional 5-year visa that can lead to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after three years. This option requires either nomination by a regional state or sponsorship by a family member in regional Australia.

Best suited for teachers who are applying independently and open to relocating to regional or remote areas. It offers +15 points, making it easier to qualify than 189 or 190 — but it does not come through employer sponsorship. This visa is quite a popular choice for SA teachers who might not otherwise qualify for other points-based PR visa's.


Feature

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

Type

Employer-sponsored temporary visa

Independent points-based PR visa

State-nominated points-based PR visa

Employer sponsorship required?

Yes

No

Yes – by a state government

Path to permanent residency

Yes, after 2 years (depending on occupation and stream)

Immediate permanent residency on approval

Immediate permanent residency on approval

Points-based assessment

No

Yes

Yes

Occupation list

Must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

MLTSSL only

MLTSSL or Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) depending on state

Can live/work anywhere in Australia?

No – must stay with sponsoring employer

Yes

No – must live/work in sponsoring state for at least 2 years

Processing time

Typically 3–4 months (varies by stream)

Varies – often 6–12 months

Varies – often 6–12 months

Visa cost

Paid by employer in most cases

Approx. AUD $4,640+

Approx. AUD $4,640+ (plus state nomination fee)

Flexibility

Limited – tied to employer

High

Moderate – must comply with state nomination conditions

Documents and costs

For teachers familiar with the Middle East process, some of the general paperwork overlaps (such as degrees, transcripts and police clearances) BUT Australia requires additional documentation. This includes skills assessments, medicals, and English language tests — even for teachers who studied or taught in English. Being aware of these requirements upfront will save you time later.

South African teachers planning to teach in Australia will need to gather and prepare a specific set of documents. Some will be needed during the visa process, others for skills assessment and employment.

Below is a breakdown of the essential documentation and their estimated costs, along with important notes on their purpose and requirements.


Degree or qualification certificates

Your degree certificate must be in its original English version, or accompanied by an officially recognised English translation if issued in another language. It must be issued on official university letterhead.

  • Cost: Usually available free from your university. If an official translation is needed, a nominal fee may apply.


Academic transcripts (exam results)

You’ll need official transcripts showing your academic results. Like your degree certificate, they must be in English and on official university letterhead.

  • Cost: Typically free from your university. A small fee may apply for translation if needed.


Valid passport

You’ll need a valid South African passport with:

  • At least 6 months’ validity at the time of application (ideally 12 months)

  • At least 4 blank pages

  • Cost: Approx. R600 (as of 2025)


Personal documents

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need:

  • Marriage certificate

  • Birth certificate (for you and dependants)

  • ID documents

  • Legal name change documents (if applicable)

  • Cost: Refer to the Department of Home Affairs:https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/fees


Professional references

You’ll need up to three teacher-based professional references confirming your employment history. These are usually not required until a job is secured but will be necessary later in the process.


Proof of student teaching (practical teaching letter)

This is one of the most important documents in your application and is often overlooked or misunderstood.

This letter, issued by your university, provides evidence of the practical teaching component you completed as part of your degree. Your academic transcripts alone are not sufficient.

The letter must:

  • Be on official university letterhead

  • Specify the number of days of supervised practical teaching

  • Indicate the grade levels or age groups taught

  • (Ideally) include subjects taught, especially for secondary-phase educators


The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) uses this document to determine whether you are recognised as a primary, middle years, or high school teacher in Australia. This classification affects your eligibility for sponsorship and teaching roles. It is essential that (particularly if a teacher needs to be sponsored) professional teaching experience (post-qualifying) mirrors the practical teaching experience so that there is relevant teaching experience on which a school can base a contract.

Important note for teachers with Intermediate/Senior Phase qualifications: South African teachers qualified in Grades 4–9 may face classification challenges. In Australia, primary education ends at Grade 6. If your practicum experience is largely in Grades 4–6, you may be classified as a primary teacher—even if your professional experience lies in the senior phase. If you are aiming to teach in a specific band, your practicum and teaching experience must align with that phase.

  • Cost: Your university may charge a nominal fee to issue this letter.


IELTS academic test (English language proficiency)

South African citizens must sit the academic IELTS to teach in Australia. This is required irrespective of whether:

  • English is your first language,

  • your degree was taught in English, or

  • your qualification included English as a major.

Previously, exemptions were sometimes granted, but now the rule is tied directly to citizenship. If you hold a South African passport, you must complete and pass Academic IELTS.

Please ensure you complete this test at a recognised testing centre and do the laptop based (not paper based) version of this test.

AITSL does allow a one skill retake, should you not meet the requirements in one of the skill categories.

Minimum required scores:

  • Reading and writing: 7.0

  • Speaking and listening: 8.0

(The individual band scores are more important than the overall score)


AITSL skills assessment

The AITSL assessment is a formal evaluation of your qualifications and teaching practicum. It is mandatory for skilled visas (e.g. subclass 189 and 190) and may also be required for employer-sponsored visas.


Medical tests

These are only required once a job offer is secured. The school’s immigration lawyer will provide the necessary instructions and documentation.

Tests typically include:

  • Chest x-ray (for tuberculosis)

  • Blood tests (for conditions such as hepatitis or HIV)

  • Cost: Approx. R3,000 per adult

(Contact SA-Recruitment if you have any concerns about your medical history.)


Police clearance certificate (PCC)

A police clearance certificate from SAPS will be needed for the teacher and any accompanying adult spouse.

  • The certificate must reflect all current and previous legal names

  • An expedited version may be required depending on your visa pathway

  • Cost:

    • Standard (in-country): approx. R170

    • Expedited: approx. R1,800


Teacher registration in Australia

After securing a job offer, you must register with the appropriate teaching authority in your state. This involves uploading your documents and completing an online profile. No exam is required.


Further considerations

Alongside the essential documents and associated costs, South African teachers planning a long-term move to Australia should keep the following key factors in mind:


Timing

Teachers moving from the Middle East should note: the Australian recruitment calendar is very different. In the Middle East, hiring cycles often align neatly with school terms and turnaround can be quick. In Australia, recruitment and visa processes are longer and involve multiple government bodies. Careful forward planning is essential.


Planning ahead is critical when preparing to teach in Australia. The school year begins in late January or early February, so it's ideal to begin your preparation at least six months in advance. This allows ample time to gather documents, complete skills assessments, and apply for the necessary visa.


Recruitment for Australian schools generally takes place well before the school year begins, and early preparation will increase your chances of securing a role aligned with your skills and experience. Most schools aim to place teachers for the January start of the academic year. However, secondary school teachers are often recruited throughout the year, with additional opportunities in July and August. For primary school teachers who cannot start in January, a mid-year (June or July) intake is often the next best option.


Working with a reputable recruiter for a sponsored visa

If you're pursuing a sponsored visa, partnering with an experienced and reliable recruiter is highly recommended. The Australian education sector welcomes qualified international teachers, but navigating visa applications, sponsorships, and immigration requirements can be complex.

A reputable recruiter will ensure your documents are in order, assist with timing and paperwork, and match you with schools actively seeking international candidates. It's particularly beneficial to work with an agency familiar with South African qualifications and teacher pathways. SA-Recruitment has extensive experience in this area and can offer targeted advice and school placement support. Contact us to find out how we can assist you through this process.

In addition, Australia requires teachers looking into permanent residency options (or researching PR visas) to work with a reputable immigration agent. It’s critical to ensure the agent is MARA-registered (Migration Agents Registration Authority) so you know your case is being handled legally and correctly. We can provide recommendations for trusted agents.


Budgeting and research

While a recruitment agency and sponsoring school may support your application and visa process, it's up to you to research living conditions in Australia. Understanding the cost of living, housing options, education for dependants, transport, and healthcare is crucial to planning a successful transition.

Spending time researching the cities or regions you may be placed in will help set clear expectations and reduce stress after arrival. Online expat forums, cost-of-living calculators, and government relocation guides can all be valuable resources in preparing for your move.


No flights or accommodation included

It’s important to note that most Australian teaching contracts do not include flights or accommodation as part of the relocation package. You’ll need to budget for air travel, temporary accommodation, and the costs of securing a rental property once you arrive.

We recommend organising short-term accommodation (such as an Airbnb or short-term lease) for the first few weeks to allow time to search for a longer-term rental. Some of the schools SA-Recruitment partners with may offer access to a relocation agent to help you find housing and settle into the local community more efficiently.


In summary

Emigrating to Australia as a South African teacher is a big step, but one that opens the door to both professional advancement and personal growth.

For many teachers and their families, the move can be life changing, offering the chance to find stability, settle down, and put down roots in a country that values work-life balance.


Teaching in Australia is a vastly different experience to working in the Middle East, but it comes with significant rewards and long-term opportunities. With the right visa, documents, and planning in place, the process becomes far more manageable. Whether you are only beginning to explore your options or are already preparing your application, doing thorough research and leaning on expert support will make all the difference.


At SA-Recruitment, we specialise in guiding South African teachers through every stage of the journey, from securing the right school placement to navigating the visa process with confidence. If you are ready to take the next step towards teaching and thriving in Australia, we are here to help you get there.


 
 
 

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