Early Childhood Teaching in Australia: Key Updates 2024

Are you seeking a career in early childhood teaching in Australia? Here is good news for you!

Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher is one of the occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). As of the new updates, ECT is included in the Skilled Occupation Shortages List 2024 in Australia, marking the largest shortage of occupation in the country. 

This inclusion highlights the high demand for early childhood educators in Australia, which is a great opportunity for overseas early childhood teachers. With the recent changes in ECT visa skills assessment and English language requirements, it can be a pleasant change for overseas early childhood educators who aspire to apply for early childhood teaching jobs in Australia. 

This change addresses the immediate need for overseas qualified early childhood teachers and helps enhance the quality of early childhood education within the nation.

Before moving forward to details, let’s have a look at an overview of some of the key changes as of November 2024 updates:

Key Changes for Early Childhood Teachers in Australia: 

• The skill assessment authority from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is going to be replaced by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), effective 7 December 2024. 

• The English requirement for ECT skill assessment will be reduced (as minimum scores of 7.0 in reading and writing, 8.0 in speaking and listening, and level 4 in all four skill areas in ISLPR teacher-focused assessment are required now).

• The updated learning frameworks will be introduced (the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place (MTOP) have been updated to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives). 

What is the Scope of Early Childhood Teaching in Australia?

The scope of early childhood teachers in the Australian job market is quite promising, and it has gained growing recognition as an in-demand occupation in Australia. However, Australia is experiencing a significant shortage of qualified early childhood educators, which has been aggravated by the higher number of parents returning to the workforce and the expansion of early childhood education programs in Australia. 

These key changes are initiatives and support of the Australian Government for early childhood education. In Australia, there are a range of career opportunities for teachers, including early childhood educators, daycare centre directors, family daycare educators, and more.

Let’s Understand the Details of the Key Update for Early Childhood Teachers in Australia:

New Visa Skills Assessment Body

In the recent updates, the visa skills assessment process for early childhood teachers has been updated. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has been replaced with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Now, ACECQA will work as a new ECT visa skill assessment body and handle all the skills assessment-related tasks for international early childhood teachers. This significant change will align the assessment process more with the specific needs of early childhood education and also simplify the skill assessment process for applicants.

Reduced English Study Requirements

In these latest updates, the ACECQA has reduced the English study requirements for students to meet the eligibility criteria. In previous requirements, students were required to complete a four-year program of studies in Australia. Now, they only need to complete one year of tertiary, or higher-level, English study in Australia to meet the requirement.

Previously, it was required to demonstrate a higher score for English language proficiency, including the IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Academic. The accepted test scores for candidates were required to achieve an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with no individual band score below 7.0 and a score of at least 8.0 in speaking and listening. However, candidates who completed their initial teacher education in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, or the Republic of Ireland were exempt from these tests.

As per the new changes, minimum scores of 7.0 in reading and writing, 8.0 in speaking and listening, and level 4 in all four skill areas in ISLPR teacher-focused assessment are now required. This reduction in the ECT English language requirements will ensure that teachers have a strong command of English. 

An Overview of Important Requirements for ECT

ACECA has updated the ECT skill assessment requirements under the National Quality Framework. Here is an overview of the recent requirements.

As of new updates, applicants are required to:

• Lodge your application with the new authority, ACECQA. 
• Submit their application for ECT skill assessment before December 7, 2024.
• Complete one year of full-time tertiary English study in a recognized country.
• Applicants with undergraduate qualifications must include 80 days of supervised professional experience. 
• Applicants with postgraduate qualifications must have 60 days of supervised professional experience. 

Note: For more in-depth information, read the assessment guidelines on the official ACECQA website. 

Benefits of Change in English Study Requirements

• Increase the chance of passing ECT skills assessments. 
• Enhance the chance of getting more early childhood jobs in Australia.
• Improve the quality of the early childhood education sector in Australia.
• Fill the gap of the skills occupation shortage in Australia.
• Save the time and money of the applications to meet the English language requirements, as applicants will qualify soon.
• Save time and money by meeting the English requirement in just one year of study.

What to Do Next?

This new assessment pathway for early childhood teachers is a new step toward making the early childhood profession more inclusive and accessible for overseas teachers and students. By reducing the standard English requirement and making the assessment process more simplified and smooth, Australia is set to attract overseas early childhood educators. It will help to fill the gap in the early childhood teacher shortage across Australia. 

The Australian Government has started inviting internationally skilled people worldwide via the State Nomination Program 20242-25. These nominations are open for various in-demand occupations within various states. Without wasting time, check them out and secure your permanent place as an early childhood educator through your prior Australian visa. 

So, hurry up; many opportunities are waiting for you. It is the perfect time for you if you are considering working as an early childhood teacher in Australia. 

Consult with Our Migration Expert Now

 For professional help, please consult with our migration experts at the Migration. They will help you understand suitable visa options through these state nominations. They will guide you through the complete process.

If you want to learn about state nominations and their further key updates, visit our website’s news and blog post section.

Book your appointment now.