Recently, I have received inquiries from several applicants whose DIY applications for the Secondary Teacher skills assessment via the teacher registration (English exemption) pathway have failed, and for the same reason. This is a good opportunity to clarify a misunderstanding that persists for many.

The background is this: the applicants wanted to complete the Secondary Teacher skills assessment through the pathway of using teacher registration to exempt the IELTS 7788 requirement. They submitted their application to AITSL themselves, providing proof of teacher registration alongside an IELTS test report that did not meet the 7788 score.

The result? Not only was the exemption not granted, but the application was refused outright.

Where's the problem? A major misconception among many DIY applicants.

AITSL's language requirement for the Secondary Teacher skills assessment allows for a conditional exemption, not an "optional submission."

Once you voluntarily submit a language test score, and that score does not meet AITSL's standard, the system logic will directly determine:

Language condition NOT met → The assessment will NOT proceed to the exemption evaluation stage.

Even applicants who have completed 4 years of study in an English-speaking country (e.g., an Australian bachelor's and master's degree) might think that submitting a language score just shy of the requirement is "adding the finishing touch" or shows effort. In reality, it's counterproductive and superfluous!

In other words: Submitting a language score ≠ Gains you points.

Therefore, we always advise: Unless your language score meets IELTS 7788, do not casually submit it.

Furthermore, doing so typically closes the door for exemption afterward, as you have essentially admitted your language proficiency is insufficient.

Simply put, by submitting a language test, you are actively telling AITSL: "I am applying via the language test pathway, not the exemption pathway."

While there might have been isolated cases during the Covid period where someone submitted a non-compliant score and still received a positive assessment, that does not mean it's replicable now. Those were exceptions subject to survivor bias under unique circumstances and do not reflect current processing norms.

Therefore, what seems like a simple step can become a pitfall. It's crucial to be vigilant because the issue isn't whether your documents are complete, but rather:

You submitted documents you shouldn't have.

You triggered the wrong assessment branch.

One erroneous submission can directly block the possibility for exemption later.

This is why, with the same background, some applicants successfully obtain the exemption while others are directly asked for a language test or even face refusal.

Get the pathway right, and language isn't a problem.
Get the pathway wrong, and language becomes a major problem.

NEWPOINT
Conclusion

If you are considering a Secondary Teacher skills assessment and want to avoid these pitfalls, feel free to contact us for professional assistance.