60 DAY TEFL · GUIDES THAT ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION

australian passport, non-b visa route

Can Australians teach English in Thailand?

AUSTRALIA
Teacher with students in a classroom on a teaching placement abroad
2026 update

the short answer

Yes, Australians teach across Thailand's language schools and government programmes on a Non-Immigrant B visa converted to a work permit, and unlike Korea or China, a degree isn't always strictly required at smaller language schools, though it's needed for a Teacher's License and better-paying roles. An AFP National Police Check is commonly requested by schools or the Ministry of Education, apostilled through DFAT since Australia is a Hague Convention member.

Key facts

VisaNon-Immigrant B visa converted to work permit
DegreeHelps a lot; required for a Thai Teacher's License, not always for language schools
Background checkAFP National Police Check, often requested
AuthenticationApostille via DFAT, then Thai embassy legalisation if required
Typical pay฿30,000-฿45,000/month, typical first-year language-school range
Common employersLanguage schools, government programmes, some international schools

step one, always

Get the certificate before you apply

Get the accredited TEFL course

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typical, not guaranteed

Your timeline

  1. 1

    Get TEFL certified

    120+ hours accredited is close to standard across Thai language schools.

    1-4 weeks
  2. 2

    Prepare documents

    Degree copies (if you have one), AFP check, passport photos, medical certificate for the permit.

    2-4 weeks
  3. 3

    Apply to schools

    Government programmes like Thai Ministry of Education placements recruit in batches; private schools hire more continuously.

    2-8 weeks
  4. 4

    AFP check and apostille

    Apply online through the AFP, then apostille through DFAT once issued.

    2-6 weeks
  5. 5

    Enter on Non-Immigrant B visa

    Apply at a Thai consulate in Australia once you have a job offer or programme placement.

    1-3 weeks
  6. 6

    Convert to work permit

    Done in Thailand with your employer's help after arrival.

    2-6 weeks
Start the 120-hour / Level 5 course

Degree requirements are more flexible than in Korea or China

Thailand's language-school market is genuinely more accessible to no-degree teachers than Korea, Japan or China, and this applies to Australians the same as any nationality — an accredited 120-hour+ TEFL certificate plus a Non-Immigrant B visa can be enough for many private language centres. That said, a Thai Teacher's License, needed for some public-school and higher-paying roles, does require a bachelor's degree, so treat 'no degree needed' as market-dependent, not universal.

Where the AFP check fits into Thailand's process

Thailand's work permit process commonly asks for a criminal background check as part of the supporting documents, and for Australians that's the AFP National Police Check, apostilled through DFAT. Because Thailand isn't a Hague Apostille member in the same simple sense for all document types, some schools also ask for Thai embassy legalisation on top of the apostille, so confirm the current requirement with your specific school or agency.

Who hires Australians and where

Government-linked programmes place teachers into public schools across the country, often in rounds tied to the Thai academic calendar. Private language schools in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other cities hire year-round and are typically the fastest route for Australians without a degree. International schools want a degree and, ideally, a teaching qualification, and pay well above the typical language-school range.

what people actually ask

FAQs

Do Australians need a degree to teach in Thailand?

Not always — many private language schools accept an accredited TEFL certificate without a degree. A degree is required for a Thai Teacher's License and for international-school roles, so your options depend on which route you're targeting.

Is the AFP check required for every teaching job in Thailand?

It's commonly requested as part of the work permit process, but exact requirements vary by school and by which government office processes your permit. Confirm directly with your specific employer before assuming it's optional.

How does Thailand's process compare in speed to Korea's for Australians?

Thailand's process is often faster and more flexible for no-degree applicants since the entry bar is lower, but document authentication timelines for the AFP check and any required legalisation are broadly similar. The main speed difference comes from Thailand's lighter degree requirement, not the check itself.

Can Australians work on a tourist visa while sorting a work permit?

No, working legally in Thailand requires the Non-Immigrant B visa converted to a work permit; working on a tourist visa is not compliant and puts both teacher and school at risk. Confirm your visa status matches your actual work arrangement before starting any job.

What TEFL course should Australians get for Thailand?

A 120-hour accredited online course is the practical minimum most language schools expect. If targeting international schools or better-paying private schools, a Level 5 or Ofqual-style regulated course strengthens the application further.

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Read next

Nationality-specific TEFL rules →Thailand TEFL overview →Teach English in Thailand without a degree →
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