What is TEQSA?
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is the independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for Australia's higher education sector. Established under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (Cth), TEQSA registers and accredits Australian higher education providers and monitors their ongoing compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework.
TEQSA's mandate covers universities, private higher education providers, and other institutions offering AQF-level qualifications from bachelor degree level upward. TEQSA ensures that providers meet threshold standards across governance, learning and teaching, research, and student safety.
TEQSA does not assess individual students or graduates. Its role is institution-level regulation — not occupational skills assessment for migration.
TEQSA and skilled migration
TEQSA is occasionally listed in government skills assessment documentation but its role is limited. TEQSA does not operate a standard skills assessment service for visa applicants. It does not issue skills assessment letters for the purposes of a Subclass 189, 190, 491, or other skilled visa application.
In limited contexts, TEQSA may be contacted to confirm whether an Australian institution is a registered higher education provider — information that may be relevant when verifying whether an overseas qualification has an equivalent Australian standard. However, this is distinct from conducting a skills assessment.
If you are an education professional seeking a skills assessment for skilled migration — including as a university lecturer, academic, or education manager — you will need to contact VETASSESS or, in some cases, AITSL depending on your specific ANZSCO occupation code. Always verify the correct assessing authority for your nominated occupation using the current Department of Home Affairs (DHA) skills assessment list before applying.
Who to contact for education skills assessment
The correct assessing authority for education occupations depends on your ANZSCO code:
Secondary school teachers, primary school teachers, early childhood teachers, and special needs teachers. AITSL assesses qualifications against Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
University lecturers, education managers, vocational trainers, and other education professionals not covered by AITSL. VETASSESS covers a broad range of education-adjacent roles.
Always verify the current nominated assessing authority for your specific ANZSCO code on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying, as authority assignments can change.
Education occupations on the skilled occupation lists
The following education-related occupations commonly appear on the MLTSSL and STSOL, with their assessing authority:
| ANZSCO | Occupation | Assessing Body |
|---|---|---|
| 241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | AITSL |
| 241213 | Primary School Teacher | AITSL |
| 241411 | Secondary School Teacher | AITSL |
| 241511 | Special Needs Teacher | AITSL |
| 242111 | University Lecturer | VETASSESS |
| 134411 | School Principal | AITSL |
| 249111 | Vocational Education Teacher | VETASSESS |