This is a worked case study for a Special Education Teacher NEC migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 241599. Multiple pathways: Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491 → 191, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 → 191, and Subclass 482.
For visa-by-visa context, see the 241599 pathway guide and the AITSL skills assessment guide.
The case profile
Anonymised composite. 33-year-old senior specialty SEN teacher (behavioural / autism / EAL/D), BEd + MEd Special Education with specialty. 10 years professional career: 4 years junior specialty teacher at major UK / Irish provider, 4 years senior specialty teacher at major UK / Irish service, 2 years lead at major UK / Irish school. PTE 79+ / IELTS 7.5/7.0. Family: spouse + one child under 18.
Pathway A — Subclass 189 (Independent PR)
Fees (primary + spouse + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| AITSL skills assessment | 1,000-1,500 |
| 189 visa fees (family of 3) | 8,560 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| State teacher registration | 200-500 |
| Total applicant-side | ~10,810 - 11,610 |
Total wall-clock time: 12 to 24 months end-to-end.
Pathway B-D
Same fee structure as 241511.
Side-by-side
| Path | Applicant cost | Employer cost | Wall-clock to PR | AITSL + state registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 (Independent) | AUD ~11,200 | AUD 0 | 12-24 months | Yes |
| 190 (state-nominated) | AUD ~11,700 | AUD 0 | 12-24 months | Yes |
| 186 Direct Entry | AUD ~11,200 | AUD 5,540 | 6-18 months | Yes |
| 491 → 191 | AUD ~12,700 | AUD 0 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 494 → 191 | AUD ~12,800 | AUD 6,000-25,540 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 482 → 186 TRT | AUD ~18,200 | AUD 9,000-25,000+ | 30-36 months | Yes (at 186 stage if DE) |
Things that frequently surprise people
Specialty SEN teachers in shortage. Behavioural / ASD / language disorder specialist teachers in particular demand.
State / territory education departments are major employers.
English requirement is strict. AITSL English (IELTS 7.5 / 7.0).
Health examinations expire after 12 months. If your visa takes longer than 12 months to grant, expect to redo them.
Tax residency starts on arrival. The Australian tax year runs 1 July to 30 June. See ATO residency rules before signing.
MARA registration is mandatory for paid migration assistance. Verify any agent at the MARA register.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator — model 189, 190, 491, 186, 494, or 482 fees
- Document checklist — AITSL evidence pack
- ANZSCO search — confirm 241599 vs 241511 / 241512 / 241513
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker — for 189 / 190 round cut-offs
Where to verify the numbers
Next step
Want to model 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your specialty SEN profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.