AU · Bachelor's
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
University of Melbourne
Course Overview
Melbourne's Bachelor of Education (Primary) is a four-year accredited initial teacher education degree at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education — ranked #1 in Australia and top 15 globally for Education (QS 2025). Graduates are eligible for VIT registration in Victoria and can then apply for AITSL-recognised teacher accreditation Australia-wide.
Sri Lankan applicants choosing this route are following the OECD's clearest pathway to permanent residency through teaching. Primary School Teacher is on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List — meaning Sri Lankan graduates qualify for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (2-3 years) and then the 189/190 skilled migration streams. Demand is acute: Victoria alone has a publicly-announced shortage of 5,000+ primary teachers through 2030.
The degree embeds 80+ days of supervised classroom placements (Melbourne metro and regional schools) plus dedicated literacy and numeracy specialisations. Final-year graduates also sit the LANTITE — the national literacy and numeracy test mandatory for AITSL accreditation.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan A/Ls: 3 passes (C grade or better) across any stream. Cambridge International / Edexcel A-Levels also accepted.
- check_circle ATAR equivalent: 70+.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 28 points.
- check_circle Non-academic requirement: CASPer test (Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is mandatory for all initial teacher education applicants in Victoria.
- check_circle Written statement on motivation to teach — 800 words.
English Proficiency
- check_circle Sri Lankan applicants must sit IELTS regardless of qualification language — AITSL teacher registration requirement is binding for initial teacher education.
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.5 Overall with minimum 8.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 7.0 in Reading and Writing (AITSL minimum, not Melbourne's).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 102 Overall (min 27 Listening, 28 Speaking, 24 Reading, 24 Writing).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 73 Overall with minimum 82 in Speaking and Listening, 65 in Reading and Writing.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AUD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, 2026) | AUD 42,000 | Rs. 8,820,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Melbourne) | AUD 24,500 | Rs. 5,145,000 |
| OSHC + Visa + CASPer/LANTITE Tests | AUD 3,500 | Rs. 735,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | AUD 70,000 | Rs. 14,700,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (2 years) after VIT registration. Primary School Teacher is on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List — direct pathway to 189/190 skilled migration. Melbourne grads place into Victorian Department of Education state schools, Catholic Education Melbourne, and independent schools (MLC, Wesley, Scotch). Starting Australian teacher salary AUD 76,000+ rising to AUD 110,000+ as a leading teacher. Sri Lankan returnees move into international school posts (Royal Institute, OKI, Wycherley).
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