Pathways to PR: Secondary school teacher - 241411

Secondary school teachers continue to be among the most in-demand skilled professionals in Australia, creating strong opportunities for skilled migration and permanent residency (PR). Depending on your qualifications, work experience, and eligibility, one potential pathway is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).

If you're a secondary school teacher looking to understand the subclass 189 visa pathway in 2026, this guide explains the eligibility requirements, skills assessment process, points test, and application steps to help you make informed decisions.

Note: The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered migration advice. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, consult a MARA-registered migration agent.

Watch This Short Video: Can Secondary School Teachers Get PR in Australia in 2026? | 189 Visa Points, AITSL & PR Pathway

According to abs.gov.au, secondary school teachers teach one or more subjects within a prescribed curriculum to secondary school students and promote said students' social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.

To become a secondary school teacher in Australia, you must meet the following qualification requirements.

• Skill level 1.
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching degree in secondary school specialisation.
• English proficiency test: Overall IELTS score of 8.0 with no individual component below 7.

OR if you have completed a bachelor's degree from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, or the USA, you are exempt from this requirement.

• May also require relevant experience or on-the-job training.
• May also require registration or licensing.

According to abs.gov.au, the tasks included in the secondary school teacher – 241411 group are:

• presenting the prescribed curriculum using a range of teaching techniques and materials
• developing students' interests, abilities, and coordination by way of creative activities
• guiding discussions and supervising work in class
• preparing, administering, and marking tests, projects, and assignments to evaluate students' progress, and recording the results
• discussing individual progress and problems with students and parents, and seeking advice from Student Counsellors and senior teachers
• maintaining discipline in classrooms and other school areas
• participating in staff meetings, educational conferences, and workshops
• liaising with parents, community, and business groups
• maintaining class and scholastic records
• performing extra-curricular tasks such as assisting with sports, school concerts, excursions, and special interest programs
• supervising student teachers on placement

189 visa is a points-tested PR visa that allows you to live, study, or work permanently in Australia. This visa requires at least 65 points to be considered for an invitation. Generally, targeting higher points than the last round improves an individual's chance of obtaining an invitation. And yes, secondary school teacher(s) can apply for this visa.

Secondary school teacher(s) have to meet the general requirements of not only ANZSCO 241411 but also those of the 189 visa, such as:

• Minimum of 65 PR points*
• Be below the age of 45.
• Have a positive skills assessment.
• Meet English proficiency test requirements.
• Meet the health & character requirements.
• And of course, you have to be invited.

* As per the official Australian government data on the last invitations for secondary school teachers, the most common invitation score was 80 for the 189 visa. But subject to change with each round.

To calculate PR points for a secondary school teacher, you must take into account the following points- no pun intended:

• Age
• Educational Qualification
• Professional Year
• NAATI
• 2 years of study
• English
• Regional Study
• Work Experience
• Specialist Educational Qualifications (STEM)
• Partner

A secondary school teacher is one of Australia's in-demand occupations and is listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), making it eligible for several skilled migration pathways. While recent invitation rounds have seen relatively competitive invitation scores for this occupation, securing permanent residency still depends on factors such as your Points Test score, skills assessment, and overall eligibility.

Eligible secondary school teachers may be able to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), which allows successful applicants to live, work, and study permanently in Australia.

If you're planning to migrate as a secondary school teacher, Search Education can help. Our MARA-registered migration agents provide personalised guidance on eligibility requirements, skills assessments, PR points, visa costs, processing times, and every stage of the Subclass 189 visa application process.

Book a consultation today and let Search Education help you build a successful pathway to permanent residency in Australia as a secondary school teacher.