Early Childhood Teaching in Australia | Key Updates

The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) includes the occupation of Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher. According to the latest updates, ECT is now on Australia’s Skilled Profession Shortages List 2024, representing the country’s highest profession shortage.

This inclusion emphasizes the high demand for early childhood educators in Australia, which presents an excellent opportunity for international early childhood educators. The new adjustments in ECT visa skills testing and English language criteria may be a welcome shift for overseas early childhood educators seeking to apply for early childhood teaching positions in Australia.

This adjustment meets the immediate need for foreign educated early childhood teachers while also improving the quality of early childhood education in the country.

Before we get into the details, here’s an overview of some of the significant changes as of the November 2024 updates:

Significant Changes for Early Childhood Teachers in Australia

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership’s (AITSL) competence assessment authority will be replaced by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), beginning December 7, 2024.

The English requirement for ECT skill evaluation 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 currently required).

The new learning frameworks will be introduced (the EYLF and MTOP have been updated to reinforce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives).

Scope of Early Childhood Education in Australia

Early childhood teachers have a good future in the Australian labour market, and their profession is becoming increasingly popular. However, Australia is facing a serious shortage of trained early childhood educators, which has been exacerbated by the increased number of parents returning to work and the expansion of early childhood education programs in Australia.

These significant improvements are initiatives and support from the Australian government for early childhood education. Teachers in Australia might work as early childhood educators, daycare center administrators, family daycare educators, and other positions.

Key Update for Early Childhood Teachers in Australia:

New Visa Skill Assessment Body

The visa skills evaluation process for early childhood teachers was recently modified. The Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has been replaced by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

ACECQA will now serve as the new ECT visa skill assessment body, overseeing all skill assessment-related responsibilities for international early childhood teachers. This important shift will better connect the assessment process with the unique needs of early childhood education while also simplifying the talent evaluation process for candidates.

Reduced English Study Requirements

In the most recent changes, the ACECQA has decreased the English study requirements for students who match the eligibility criteria. Previous standards required students to finish a four-year program of study in Australia. They can now achieve the criterion by completing one year of tertiary, or higher-level, English education in Australia.

Previously, higher scores on English language proficiency tests such as the IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Academic were necessary. Candidates’ acceptable test scores were required to earn an overall IELTS score of 7.5, with no individual band score below 7.0, and at least 8.0 in speaking and listening. However, candidates who completed their basic teacher education in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, or the Republic of Ireland were exempt from these assessments.

The new revisions require a minimum score of 7.0 in reading and writing, 8.0 in speaking and hearing, and level 4 in all four skill areas in the ISLPR teacher-focused assessment. This lowering in ECT English language requirements will ensure that teachers have a solid command of English.

An Overview of Important Requirements for Early Childhood Teachers

ACECA has revised the ECT competence evaluation requirements outlined in the National Quality Framework. Here is an outline of recent criteria.

As of recent changes, applicants are required to:

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

Note: Please see the evaluation criteria on the official ACECQA website for further information.

Benefits of Changing English Study Requirements

• Increase your chances of passing ECT skills examinations.
• Increase your chances of securing more early childhood employment in Australia.
• Improve the quality of early childhood education in Australia.
• Fill the skills and occupation shortage in Australia.
• Save time and money on applications to meet the English language standards; applicants will qualify quickly.
• Save time and money by completing the English requirement in just one year of study.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher.

To become an Early Childhood Teacher, you typically require a bachelor’s degree in education/teaching with a focus on early education. This normally takes three years.

If you already hold a diploma in Early Childhood Education, you may be able to complete a shorter, more condensed Bachelor’s Degree in only two years by receiving credit for your previous Diploma Studies.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to pursue a postgraduate diploma or master’s program. This can be completed in as little as a year at some universities. If you take this degree in Australia, you will have to do supervised teaching practice.

What To Do Next?

This new evaluation method for early childhood teachers is a significant step in making the early childhood profession more inclusive and accessible to international teachers and students. Australia is poised to attract international early childhood educators by lowering the standard English requirement and streamlining the evaluation process. It will help to close the early childhood teacher shortage in Australia.

The Australian government has launched the State Nomination Program 20242-25, which invites internationally skilled people from all over the world. These nominations are open for a variety of in-demand jobs across multiple states. Check them out and acquire your permanent position as an early childhood educator using your previous Australian visa.

So hurry up; there are numerous opportunities waiting for you. It is an excellent moment to consider working as an early childhood teacher in Australia.

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