ACECQA

ACECQA is the assessing authority for five children’s education and care occupations, and the migration skills assessment page sets out who should not apply: those who have not completed the qualification, who already hold a valid assessment for the occupation, or who lack sufficient post-qualification employment experience. From 1 September 2025 the stated processing timeframe for a complete application is 80 calendar days, and ACECQA notes that high application volumes mean this is taking longer than usual. Applications are not fast tracked on the basis of an expiring visa, and status updates are given only through the applicant portal, not by telephone.

The Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher application page lists the documents required: passport, any change of name evidence, evidence of an approved early childhood teaching qualification, parchment, full academic transcript, evidence of English language proficiency, and a signed Applicant Declaration and Consent Form. Applicants whose qualification is not already NQF approved must also supply certified colour copies, certified in English by a legally authorised person and never self-certified, together with an NQF Applicant Declaration and Consent Form. Documents in another language need both the original and a formal translation.

The 80 day period begins only once an Assessment Ready application has been received, and ACECQA states it is the applicant’s and any nominated agent’s responsibility to provide one, per the Early Childhood Teacher application page. The online application takes about 40 minutes, is not submitted until payment is processed, and the fee is not refunded if the application is unsuccessful or withdrawn. Agents and applicants must register with their own email addresses, and generic addresses are not accepted. An unsuccessful applicant receives reasons and may request a review where evidence was not adequately considered.