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AITSL Skills Assessment Fees and Refunds 2026

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) sets the fees for skills assessments required for teacher migration to Australia.

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) sets the fees for skills assessments required for teacher migration to Australia. As of 7 September 2026, the following fees apply:

Key takeaways

  • Refund if withdrawn before assessment
  • From 7 September 2026, the AITSL skills assessment application fee is AUD 1,198.
  • A partial refund of AUD 982 is available if you withdraw your AITSL skills assessment application before the assessment process begins.
  • The official AITSL notices do not publish any refund amounts or policies for the appeal fee (AUD 938) or the Skilled Employment Statement fee (AUD 265) as of September 2026.
  • You can find the official fee and refund policy in the AITSL fee notice and on the AITSL website.

In this guide: AITSL fee structure for 2026 | AITSL refund policy and exceptions | Decision table: AITSL skills assessment fees and refunds 2026 | Scenario: AITSL fee and refund in practice | What the official sources do and do not publish | Action checklist for applicants | Related topics | How we researched | Sources

AITSL fee structure for 2026

  • Skills assessment application: AUD 1,198
  • Appeal fee: AUD 938
  • Skilled Employment Statement: AUD 265

These fees are published in the AITSL fee notice and are subject to change. Always check the latest official notice before submitting your application.

AITSL refund policy and exceptions

If you submit a skills assessment application and decide to withdraw before the assessment process begins, AITSL offers a partial refund of AUD 982. This refund applies only if the withdrawal occurs before any assessment work has started. Once the assessment process is underway, the fee is generally non-refundable.

No additional exceptions or alternative refund amounts are published in the official AITSL notices as of September 2026. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for a refund, contact AITSL directly before withdrawing your application.

Decision table: AITSL skills assessment fees and refunds 2026

Scenario Fee paid Refund if withdrawn before assessment
Submit new application (from 7 Sept 2026) AUD 1,198 AUD 982
Submit appeal AUD 938 Not published
Skilled Employment Statement AUD 265 Not published

Scenario: AITSL fee and refund in practice

Suppose you submit a skills assessment application to AITSL on 10 September 2026 and pay the AUD 1,198 fee. Two days later, you realise you need to withdraw your application before any assessment work has started. According to the published policy, you may be eligible for a partial refund of AUD 982. You would need to contact AITSL promptly to request the withdrawal and confirm eligibility for the refund. If the assessment process had already begun, the refund would not apply.

What the official sources do and do not publish

The official AITSL notices specify the fee amounts and the partial refund available before assessment begins. They do not publish:

  • Any refund amount for appeals or Skilled Employment Statements
  • Refunds after the assessment process has started
  • Special exceptions or additional refund scenarios

For the most current and detailed information, always refer to the AITSL notices and AITSL fee notice.

Action checklist for applicants

  1. Review the current AITSL fee schedule on the official website.
  2. Prepare your application and supporting documents.
  3. Confirm your eligibility for the skills assessment route.
  4. Pay the correct fee (AUD 1,198 from 7 September 2026).
  5. If you need to withdraw, do so before assessment begins to be eligible for the AUD 982 partial refund.
  6. Keep a dated copy of all correspondence and receipts.
  7. Contact AITSL directly for any questions about your specific situation.

SpeakShark can help you improve your spoken English for migration interviews or daily life, but it cannot issue official evidence or guarantee a skills assessment outcome. For official rules, always use the AITSL website and published notices.

How we researched

This guide uses only information published by AITSL in its official fee notices and migration assessment policies, checked in September 2026. All claims are supported by direct links to the relevant AITSL pages and documents. No unofficial sources or assumptions are included.

Sources

FAQ

What is the AITSL skills assessment fee from September 2026?
From 7 September 2026, the AITSL skills assessment application fee is AUD 1,198. This fee applies to all new applications submitted on or after that date, as published in the official AITSL fee notice.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw my AITSL application?
A partial refund of AUD 982 is available if you withdraw your AITSL skills assessment application before the assessment process begins. No refund is available once assessment work has started, according to the published policy.
Are there any refunds for the AITSL appeal or Skilled Employment Statement fees?
The official AITSL notices do not publish any refund amounts or policies for the appeal fee (AUD 938) or the Skilled Employment Statement fee (AUD 265) as of September 2026.
Where can I find the official AITSL fee and refund policy?
You can find the official fee and refund policy in the AITSL fee notice and on the AITSL website. Always check the latest notices before applying to ensure you have the most current information.
Does SpeakShark provide official evidence for AITSL skills assessment?
No, SpeakShark cannot provide official evidence or guarantee an outcome for AITSL skills assessment. It is a speaking improvement tool, not an exam preparation provider or affiliated with AITSL.

Curious how it works? Explore SpeakShark's features or see plans and pricing.

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