AITSL Fee Increase Alert: Skills Assessment Fees Rise From Sept
Teachers planning skilled migration to Australia should take note: AITSL will increase its migration assessment fees from 7 September 2026.
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) confirmed the change on 7 August 2026. The new fee structure covers teacher skills assessments, appeals of assessment outcomes, and Skilled Employment Statements (SES).
Applicants who submit through the AITSL online portal on or before 6 September 2026 will pay the current fees. Applicants who submit from 7 September 2026 onward will pay the new fees.
Therefore, teachers who already have a complete application should check the deadline carefully.
AITSL Skills Assessment Fees 2026: New Fees from 7 September
These are the new fees that will be introduced from 7th September 2026:
| AITSL Service | Current Fee | New Fee from 7 September |
|---|---|---|
| Skills Assessment Application | $1,154 | $1,198 |
| Appeal of Assessment Outcome | $904 | $938 |
| Skilled Employment Statement (SES) | $255 | $265 |
| Available Partial Refund | $946 | $982 |
AITSL does not charge GST on its Assessment for Migration fees, so these amounts represent the final fees.
The standard skills assessment increases by $44, while the appeal fee rises by $34 and the SES fee rises by $10.
When Do the New AITSL Fees Start?
The key date is 7 September 2026.
AITSL confirms that:
- applications submitted up to and including 6 September 2026 attract the current fee; and
- applications submitted from 7 September 2026 attract the new fee.
Who Does the AITSL Skills Assessment Fee Increase Affect?
AITSL conducts migration skills assessments for teachers who need a teacher skills assessment for an Australian skilled migration pathway. It currently assesses school-teaching occupations, including:
- Primary School Teacher – ANZSCO 241213
- Middle School Teacher – ANZSCO 241311
- Secondary School Teacher – ANZSCO 241411
It also provides assessment pathways for other relevant special education teaching occupations.
Important Update for Early Childhood Teachers
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teachers should not lodge a new skills assessment with AITSL.
From 7 December 2024, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) became the assessing authority for the Early Childhood Teacher occupation. AITSL no longer accepts new Early Childhood Teacher skills assessment applications.
This distinction matters because applicants must use the correct assessing authority for their nominated occupation.
What Does AITSL Check in a Teacher Skills Assessment?
AITSL assesses whether an applicant meets the qualification and English language proficiency criteria for the nominated teaching occupation.
AITSL currently requires applicants to satisfy both criteria to receive a suitable assessment. Its qualification framework generally requires at least four years of university-level study, including a relevant initial teacher education qualification.
Therefore, teachers should review their:
- nominated occupation;
- university qualifications;
- initial teacher education;
- supervised teaching practice;
- English language evidence; and
- supporting documents
before submitting an assessment.
AITSL English Requirement Also Changed Recently
The fee announcement follows another recent AITSL migration update.
On 13 July 2026, AITSL extended the validity period for Academic IELTS test results from two years to three years for its English language proficiency requirements.
AITSL introduced the change immediately and aligned the validity period more closely with Australian teacher registration authorities.
Therefore, teachers preparing an AITSL application should check whether an existing IELTS result may still remain valid before arranging another test.
Should You Lodge Before 7 September 2026?
If your application already meets the AITSL requirements, and you have all the necessary evidence ready, lodging by 6 September 2026 means you can access the current $1,154 assessment fee.
Before lodging, check:
- whether your visa pathway actually requires a skills assessment;
- whether AITSL assesses your nominated occupation;
- whether your qualifications meet the relevant criteria;
- whether your English evidence meets AITSL requirements; and
- whether you have uploaded all the required documents.
AITSL does not offer a pre-assessment service, so applicants need to understand the criteria before submitting their application.
What Is a Skilled Employment Statement?
The fee change also affects the Skilled Employment Statement, which will cost $265 from 7 September 2026.
An SES provides an optional summary of relevant skilled employment that an eligible applicant may use for the skilled migration Points Test.
AITSL only allows applicants with a suitable skills assessment outcome to request an SES. It also applies specific rules when determining which employment qualifies as skilled employment.
Therefore, applicants should not confuse a skills assessment with a Skilled Employment Statement—they serve different purposes.
How Emigrate Lawyers Can Help Teachers Planning Skilled Migration
A positive skills assessment can form an important part of a broader Australian skilled migration strategy, but it does not itself grant a visa.
Teachers may need to consider pathways such as:
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa
- employer-sponsored migration; or
- other skilled migration pathways depending on their circumstances.
At Emigrate Lawyers, our immigration lawyers can assess your broader migration options, review how your nominated occupation fits your visa strategy, and help you understand the requirements that follow a successful skills assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much does AITSL cost?
A- The AITSL skills assessment currently costs AUD $1,154, increasing to AUD $1,198 from 7 September 2026.
Q2. Which teachers are most in demand in Australia?
A- Teacher shortages vary by location, but primary, secondary and special education teachers remain important shortage areas across Australia.
Q3. How long does an AITSL assessment take?
A- AITSL completes most assessment-ready applications within 4 weeks, although some applications can take up to 6 weeks or longer during busy periods.
Q4. Is AITSL a government body?
A- AITSL is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company funded by the Australian Government, with the Commonwealth as its sole owner.
Final Thoughts
The upcoming AITSL skills assessment fee increase gives teachers a clear deadline to consider.
If you need help planning what comes after your teacher skills assessment, Emigrate Lawyers can advise you on skilled visa, state nomination, and employer-sponsored migration pathways based on your circumstances.
Need Legal Help or Consultation?
The sooner you seek advice, the more options you have. We are here to help!
Reach out to us today through any of the following:
Shivani Thapaliya
Immigration and Family Lawyer - Emigrate Lawyers
