AITSL skills assessment: requirements and how to apply

Key facts

Assessment types: Skills assessment for migration. After a suitable outcome, applicants can also request a Skilled Employment Statement (SES).
Qualification: At least 4 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) study at university level, including a relevant initial teacher education qualification.
Experience: AITSL's application page does not list a work experience requirement for the skills assessment. Its supervised teaching practice rules are in a separate fact sheet.
English: Met by 4 full years of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US (including initial teacher education with supervised teaching practice), or by Academic IELTS. No other tests (PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge) and no IELTS Online. Minimum band scores are set out in AITSL's English language fact sheet.
Documents: AITSL publishes a checklist for each occupation on its application process page.
Fee: AUD 1,198 for a skills assessment; AUD 938 for an appeal; AUD 265 for a Skilled Employment Statement. No GST is charged. Fees effective 7 September 2026 (as at 4 October 2026).
Processing time: AITSL states that the majority of assessment-ready applications are completed within 4 weeks, and some may take up to 6 weeks. Incomplete applications take longer.
Validity: Valid for the period shown on the outcome statement from the date of issue. It cannot be renewed.
How to apply: Online through the AITSL Applicant Portal, after checking the criteria, the occupation checklist, the Application Guide and the Applicant Portal User Guide. Fees are paid in the portal by Visa or MasterCard.

What AITSL assesses

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) assesses teachers who want to migrate to Australia. An application must meet both of its criteria, qualifications and English language proficiency (application process). AITSL notes that skilled migration points are decided by the Department of Home Affairs, not by AITSL (after the assessment).

Requirements

Qualification: at least 4 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) university-level study, including a relevant initial teacher education qualification (application process).
English: the study option (4 full years of study in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, including initial teacher education and supervised teaching practice) or an Academic IELTS Test Report Form. Other tests are not accepted (English language proficiency).

How to apply

AITSL lists these steps on its application process page:

Check that both criteria are met.
Read the background information.
Complete the checklist for the occupation.
Read the Application Guide and the Applicant Portal User Guide.
Submit the application through the Applicant Portal.
Receive the outcome.
Optionally, request a Skilled Employment Statement.

Common questions

What does AITSL assess?

AITSL assesses teachers for skilled migration. It checks two criteria: qualifications (at least 4 years of university-level study, including initial teacher education) and English language proficiency.

How long does an AITSL skills assessment take?

AITSL says the majority of assessment-ready applications are completed within 4 weeks, and some take up to 6 weeks. Incomplete applications are delayed.

How much does an AITSL skills assessment cost?

AUD 1,198, with no GST, for fees effective 7 September 2026. An appeal costs AUD 938 and a Skilled Employment Statement costs AUD 265.

How long is an AITSL skills assessment valid?

For the period shown on the outcome statement, from the date of issue. AITSL says the outcome cannot be renewed.

Does AITSL accept PTE?

No. AITSL accepts only an Academic IELTS Test Report Form. It does not accept PTE, PEAT, ISLPR, TOEFL, Cambridge or other English tests, and it does not accept IELTS Online or Indicator tests.

Can an AITSL outcome be appealed?

Yes. AITSL says a formal appeal must be requested by email within 60 days of the outcome date. New qualifications or test results obtained after the assessment need a new application instead.

AITSL skills assessment