Not all educational occupations are treated equally. The 2026-2027 Victoria nomination program’s education priority list exclusively includes Middle School Teachers (241311), Secondary School Teachers (241411), Special Needs Teachers (241511 and 241599), and Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (241111). Primary school teachers, university lecturers, and vocational education teachers are eligible, but they are not listed as priority occupations.
Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 1791573), emphasizes a fundamental distinction when analyzing education-sector cases: there are two completely different “priority” systems, and most misunderstandings arise from conflating them. First, there is the federal processing priority, which only determines the order in which applications are assessed. Department of Home Affairs program reports indicate that skilled visa applications are processed based on government policy priorities, and Ministerial Direction 105 (effective from 15 December 2023) prioritized the health and education sectors. A crucial legal point here is that processing priority is neither a criterion for eligibility nor a guarantee of approval; all legislative requirements must still be satisfied.
Second, there is the state selection and invitation system, where the reality of “invitation prospects” and genuine competition comes into play. On the official Live in Melbourne website, the education industry for the 2026-2027 program features only two subgroups: the Teachers subgroup (241311 Middle School Teacher, 241411 Secondary School Teacher, 241511 Special Needs Teacher, 241599 Special Education Teachers nec) and the Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher subgroup (241111). Victoria has clarified that only the occupations listed under each industry receive priority, and priority is not an invitation guarantee. Meanwhile, all occupations listed on the Department of Home Affairs’ relevant lists remain eligible for Victorian nomination. In the Early Childhood subgroup, ROIs that demonstrate one year or more of relevant experience and Proficient or Superior English levels are prioritized for invitation.
Consequently, the landscape for each group is clear: Primary School Teachers (241213) are on the CSOL and are eligible, but they are not among Victoria’s education priority subgroups. Vocational Education Teachers (242211) are also on the CSOL but are not on Victoria’s priority education list. University Lecturers (242111) and School Principals are also absent from Victoria’s published education priority list; any claims regarding these titles falling under federal priority “education” must be cross-referenced with the list of occupations in Ministerial Directions 121/122. Regarding private language or art tutors, classification accuracy is essential: these roles fall under Unit Group 2493 ANZSCO as Education Professionals. They are not outside the field of education, but they simply do not fall under priority occupations.
Another key point concerns the skills assessment authority. As of December 2024, the assessing authority for Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (241111) has transitioned from AITSL to ACECQA. However, ACECQA does not oversee all childcare-related occupations; school teachers, including 241213 (Primary) and 241411 (Secondary), continue to be assessed by AITSL. Furthermore, there is no title such as “Childcare Education Worker” in ANZSCO. The correct titles are Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator (at the Certificate III or Diploma level), which reach the status of “educator,” not “teacher,” and do not meet the requirements for code 241111. Attaining the status of a teacher requires a recognized teaching qualification with supervised practicum. For instance, in the early childhood sector, a higher education teaching degree equivalent to four years, covering the 0-5 age group and including supervised practical teaching, is mandatory. RPL based on a Certificate III or Diploma does not lead to teacher status.
If your occupation is not on the priority list, your path is not closed; it simply requires a change in case strategy. Precisely determining your occupation code, selecting the correct assessment authority, and understanding the difference between federal processing priority and state selection is what brings peace of mind and clarity to teachers and education professionals. For a case-specific review and to draft a personalized roadmap, a brief consultation with Negin Safaee can be a brighter start to your migration journey.
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This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on October 27, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Mrs. Negin Safaee Registered Migration Agent 1791573
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.