How to Get Permanent Residency in Australia as a Teacher
Are you a South African teacher aspiring to secure permanent residency in Australia? With a strong demand for educators and numerous immigration pathways, Australia offers exceptional opportunities to not only advance your career but also secure a stable future.
CAN TEACHERS GET PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes, teachers are highly valued in Australia, and there are multiple pathways to secure permanent residency as a qualified educator. Whether you’re seeking to settle in a vibrant metropolitan area or contribute to schools in regional communities, Australia’s skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa programs offer opportunities tailored for teachers.
To get permanent residency in Australia as a teacher, you can apply through skilled migration visas like Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) or Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa), or employer-sponsored visas like Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa).
1. Skilled Migration Pathways
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): A points-based visa that does not require employer sponsorship or a job offer, allowing teachers to live and work anywhere in Australia.
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government, which may be based on the local demand for teachers in specific regions or fields, and is also a points-based visa.
Both the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 visas provide pathways to permanent residency in Australia for teachers.
2. Employer-Sponsored Visas
Teachers who secure a job offer from an Australian school can apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186). This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency, for teachers nominated by their employer, with opportunities available across various teaching specialisations, including those in high-demand fields such as STEM, early childhood education, or special education.
3. Regional Visa Options
Teachers willing to work in regional or remote areas may benefit from the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa), which is a points-based visa that provides temporary residency with a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence Regional Visa) after meeting specific requirements, such as living and working in a regional area for three years.
4. Meeting Eligibility Criteria
Meeting the eligibility criteria is a crucial step in your journey to permanent residency in Australia as a teacher. You’ll need to meet specific requirements, including:
- Holding recognised teaching qualifications equivalent to Australian standards.
- Demonstrating English language proficiency, via IELTS.
- Obtaining a positive skills assessment from an assessing body, like the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Teachers specialising in high-demand areas such as STEM and early childhood education may have faster pathways. Meeting requirements like a skills assessment, English proficiency, and relevant qualifications is essential for a successful application.
HOW TO APPLY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY AS A TEACHER IN AUSTRALIA
Determine Your Eligibility
The first step is to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for the visa type you’re applying for. Key factors include:
● Occupation Listing: Your teaching specialisation must be listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
● Qualifications: You must hold recognised teaching qualifications that meet Australian standards.
● English Proficiency: Demonstrate functional English proficiency through tests like IELTS.
● Skills Assessment: Obtain a positive skills assessment from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Choose the Right Visa Pathway
There are several visa options for teachers pursuing permanent residency in Australia:
● Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa)
● Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa)
● Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
● Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa): Provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence Regional Visa) after three years of living and working in a regional area.
● While the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand visa) is a temporary employer sponsored visa, it may lead to permanent residency, if you meet certain criteria and if your employer sponsors you for a subclass 186 visa.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
For skilled migration visas, you must lodge an EOI through the SkillSelect system. This step outlines your qualifications, experience, and other relevant details, and is points-tested. The Australian federal and state government use this information to invite eligible applicants to apply for a visa.
Lodge Your Visa Application
Once invited to apply for a visa or after securing employer sponsorship, submit your visa application through the Australian Department of Home Affairs portal. Ensure all documents are accurate and complete to avoid delays.
Gather Supporting Documentation
Compile all necessary documents to support your application, including:
● Proof of qualifications and skills assessment.
● English language test results.
● Employment references or contracts .
● Identity documents such as a valid passport.
Wait for Processing
Visa processing times vary depending on the visa type and your individual circumstances. While waiting, be responsive to any additional requests for information or documentation from migration authorities.
DO MY CHILDREN AND/OR PARTNER ALSO RECEIVE PERMANENT RESIDENCY IF I DO?
Yes, when you apply for permanent residency in Australia as a teacher, your immediate family members—such as your spouse or partner and dependent children—can often be included in your visa application, allowing them to receive permanent residency as well if the application is successful. This means you can relocate as a family and build a new life together in Australia.
1. Including Family Members in Your Application
Most Australian permanent residency visas, such as the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa), and Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa), allow you to include eligible family members in your application. This typically includes:
- Spouse or De Facto Partner: Your partner will receive the same permanent residency rights as you, enabling them to live, work, and study in Australia.
- Dependent Children: Children under the age of 18, or older children in full-time education or who are financially dependent, can also be included.
2. Benefits for Family Members
Once granted permanent residency, your family will enjoy the same rights and benefits as you, such as:
- Access to Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.
- Eligibility to work or study without restrictions.
- Pathways to Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
CAN I BRING MY PARENTS TO AUSTRALIA IF I’M A PERMANENT RESIDENT?
Yes, as a permanent resident of Australia, you may be able to bring your parents to join you, depending on the visa pathway and eligibility requirements. Australia offers several parent visa options for reuniting families, but these visas often come with specific criteria and processing timelines.
1. Parent Visa Options
As a permanent resident, you can sponsor your parents for various visas, including one of the following:
- Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143/864): These visas offer faster processing times, making them a preferred option for many families. They tend to be more expensive, however.
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103/804): A non-contributory visa with much longer processing times, which may suit families planning for the long term.
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870): Allows parents to stay in Australia for an initial period of five years. It can be further extended for another five years, allowing a total stay of up to ten years, without needing to apply for permanent residency.
2. Sponsorship Requirements
To sponsor your parents, some of the criteria you must meet are:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Demonstrate that you are “settled” in Australia by showing that you’ve lived in Australia for two or four years, depending on the visa.
- Provide an Assurance of Support bond for some visa types, which acts as a financial safeguard to cover potential welfare costs for your parents.
3. Additional Considerations
- Balance of Family Test: For certain parent visa types, your parents must pass this test, which requires at least half of their children live permanently in Australia, or that more of their children to live in Australia permanently than in any other country.
- Health and Character Requirements: Parents must pass health checks and provide police clearance certificates.
4. Family Reunion Benefits
Bringing your parents to Australia not only strengthens family ties but also offers them access to Australia’s high-quality healthcare system (depending on the visa type) and a safe, supportive environment.
START YOUR JOURNEY TO AUSTRALIA WITH HITCHCOCK & ASSOCIATES
Hitchcock & Associates specialises in assisting South African teachers and their families through the immigration process. From ensuring all family members are included in your application to navigating additional documentation requirements, we’re here to support your journey to a new life in Australia. Consult with us to learn more about the visa options and pathways available to teacher in Australia.
