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Q1: Can AITSL help with migration and visa advice?
No, AITSL does not answer queries about migration to Australia or provide advice on visas. The General Skilled Migration program is continually changing and adapting to Australia's economic needs. Up-to-date information about migration is on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website www.immi.gov.au. AITSL advises all prospective applicants to check the latest requirements for the General Skilled Migration program before applying for an assessment.
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Q2: I want to gain a successful assessment outcome. What course should I study?
AITSL does not provide advice on what programs of study to undertake to meet the requirements of this assessment. From time to time the AITSL assessment criteria are reviewed and updated to better reflect current Australian teaching standards. There is a risk that an applicant who commits to a course of study to meet specific assessment criteria may find at the completion of their study the criteria have changed and the qualification is not appropriate.
AITSL will consider each qualification in the context of a total application against the criteria in place at the time of the assessment.
DIAC advises against making educational choices on the basis of hoping to achieve a particular migration outcome as the General Skilled Migration program will continue to change.
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Q3: What is the basis for AITSL's assessment of overseas qualifications?
AITSL assesses overseas qualifications using the Country Education Profiles (CEP) which are produced and maintained by Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), the Australian Government authority on the recognition of overseas qualifications in Australia.
In cases where a qualification is not covered by the CEP, other resources such as the UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) and university handbooks may be used.
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Q4: My Bachelor's degree is not related to teaching. Can I still factor this into my assessment?
Yes, provided you have completed a minimum of four years, full time higher education level study of which, one of those years involved completion of an initial teacher education qualification. For example, you may have completed a three year Bachelor of Science degree and a one year Post Graduate Diploma in Education.
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Q5: I have not completed my qualification. Can I still include it in my application?
No. AITSL does not consider incomplete studies in the assessment process.
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Q6: Does an employment based route into the teaching profession, such as the Graduate Teacher Program (GTP) in England, meet AITSL's requirements?
No. Initial teacher education programs that do not result in the issue of a formal academic award and academic transcript by an accredited higher education institution will not be considered in the assessment process.
The GTP with Qualified Teaching Status enables a graduate to work in a secondary school in England or Wales. It does not enable an applicant to work as a qualified teacher in most other European Union countries and is not recognised in Australia for the purpose of migration or teacher registration.
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Q7: I have qualifications in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL). Can I apply for assessment with AITSL?
AITSL completes assessments for the purpose of migration for school teacher occupations only. If your qualification is in TESOL, TEFL or ESL you may need to refer to the SOL for an appropriate occupation. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship can direct you to the relevant assessment authority.
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Q8: I have Montessori qualifications. Can I use them as evidence of initial teacher education studies?
Montessori qualifications are not recognised by AITSL as meeting the professional criterion for the purpose of migration as it is considered a specialised method of teaching.
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Q9: Do I need to sit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test?
All applicants are required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. Applicants may be exempt from providing an Academic IELTS test report if they meet the following criterion:
Completed at least one year full-time higher education level study for an initial teacher education qualification in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
AITSL reserves the right to request an Academic IELTS test report if the supporting evidence does not satisfy the English Language proficiency requirements.
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Q10: How do I determine which ANZSCO code to select?
An AITSL assessment is based on your initial teacher education qualification and if you are applying for an ANZSCO 2415 designated occupation, the specialised teacher qualification in special education is assessed.
AITSL assesses one occupation only per application.
AITSL is not able to advise you on which nominated occupation to select.
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Q11: Can I submit my application ahead of my supporting documents?
No. AITSL requires all supporting documents at the time the application is submitted.
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Q12: I need my assessment outcome urgently. Can AITSL fast track my application?
No, AITSL does not provide a fast track assessment service. AITSL is committed to processing all applications within 10 weeks from the date of the initial notification email, providing all the required supporting documents are submitted with the application. Assessments will be delayed by up to 10 weeks if AITSL has to request documents after the application has been received.
If an assessment outcome is needed by a specific date, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure a complete assessment application is lodged well before the date an assessment outcome is required.
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Q13: How can I check the progress of my application?
AITSL provides an online facility for applications lodged after 1 July 2011 containing a reference number with the pre-fix WAMS. Visit http://www.migration.aitsl.edu.au/checkapplicationstatus for more information.
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Q14: How long is an AITSL assessment valid for?
An AITSL Skills Assessment Certificate is valid for two years from the date of issue.
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Q15: My assessment certificate is no longer valid. Can I renew it with AITSL?
No, for a valid assessment certificate you will need to apply for a new assessment. This will require a new application, including a complete set of certified documents and payment in advance of the assessment fee AUD550.
The application Form and Guide are available on the AITSL website www.aitsl.edu.au Make certain you review the assessment criteria and guidelines prior to lodging a new application as they may have changed since your last assessment.
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Q16: I want to withdraw my application. Can I get a refund?
AITSL will only issue a refund of AUD500 if the assessment of your application has not commenced. To withdraw your application you will need to notify AITSL in writing via overseasquals@aitsl.edu.au.
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Q17: I disagree with my assessment outcome. What can I do?
Your first step is to email your assessment officer to clarify the reason behind your assessment outcome. If after contacting your assessment officer you still do not agree with your outcome, you may request a formal appeal. This request must be made within 60 days of the date of your assessment outcome.
The appeal form and supporting documents will be emailed on request then must be lodged within 30 days of receiving the form. The fee for the appeal is AUD550 payable in advance.
An independent reviewer will consider new information/evidence demonstrating you met the assessment criteria at the time of your initial assessment. If you wish to submit new evidence, obtained after the date of your assessment outcome, you will need to submit a new assessment application.
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Q18: I have a valid AITSL Skills Assessment Certificate and I want to claim points for skilled employment as part of the migration process. Can AITSL assist with this?
Applicants who hold a valid AITSL Skills Assessment Certificate may apply to AITSL for a Skilled Employment Statement to assist with claiming of points as part of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Points Test (effective 1 July 2011). For detailed information on the Points Test refer to Professional and Other Skilled Migrants - Department of Immigration and Citizenship website
The AITSL Skilled Employment Statement will provide advice on claims of skilled employment in the nominated occupation or other school teacher occupations on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) and comparability to the professional level of that occupation.
To request a Skilled Employment Statement contact AITSL via overseasquals@aitsl.edu.au providing your full name as it appears on the AITSL Skills Assessment Certificate and the reference number. The fee for an AITSL Skilled Employment Statement prepared after a Skills Assessment Certificate has been issued is AUD150.
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