On This Page You Will Find
- Overview of the teacher assistant role and demand in Canada
- NOC 43100 salary ranges and provincial variations
- How Express Entry – Education category draws work
- Eligibility requirements and documents you need
- A step-by-step application roadmap
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) options
- Tips to strengthen your profile
- Five-question FAQ for quick answers
1. Why Canada Needs Teacher Assistants
Canadian classrooms rely on elementary and secondary school teacher assistants to support individual learners, manage behaviour and deliver inclusive education. Growing enrolment, expanded special-needs programming and an ageing workforce continue to create vacancies nationwide, especially in rural and northern communities.
2. Understanding NOC 43100 and Salaries
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants fall under National Occupational Classification code 43100. According to the federal Job Bank, hourly wages range from $17.15 at the low end to $30.76 at the high end, with a national median of $24.36 – roughly $33,400 to $60,700 a year depending on location and experience. Recent crowd-sourced data puts the average annual pay at about $39,500.
3. Express Entry – Education Occupation-Specific Draws
For 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has added an Education occupations category to Express Entry. Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100) are expressly listed, meaning qualified candidates with at least six months of recent, continuous work experience can receive category-based invitations, often at lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-offs than general rounds.
How Category Draws Work
- Create an Express Entry profile and meet the minimum criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class stream.
- Indicate your work history under NOC 43100.
- When IRCC runs an Education occupations draw, everyone in the pool who meets the category requirements is ranked by CRS, and top candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
4. Core Eligibility Checklist
- Work experience – Minimum six months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid experience as a teacher assistant within the past three years.
- Education – Usually a post-secondary certificate or diploma in education assistance, child care, special education or a related field.
- Language – CLB 7 in English or French for the Federal Skilled Worker class (CLB 5 if you qualify under the Canadian Experience Class).
- Proof of funds – Unless you already have Canadian work experience or a valid job offer.
- Admissibility – Clean police checks and medical exam.
5. Step-by-Step Immigration Roadmap
- Credential assessment – Order an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign qualifications.
- Language testing – Book IELTS General Training or CELPIP (English) or TEF/TCF (French).
- Build your Express Entry profile – Enter NOC 43100, upload ECA and language results and calculate CRS score.
- Monitor draws – IRCC announces Education draws in advance. When invited, submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence within 60 days.
- Post-ITA documentation – Police certificates, medical exam, proof of funds, employment letters.
- Wait for a decision – Most Express Entry files are processed in six months once complete.
- Prepare to settle – Arrange housing, Provincial credential recognition if required, and register for newcomer orientation.
6. Provincial Nominee Program Options
Many provinces offer streams that target early childhood and classroom support roles. For example:
- British Columbia Early Childhood Educator Assistant pathway (Skills Immigration) – flexible language scores and faster processing.
- Ontario Employer Job Offer – In-Demand Skills stream includes teacher assistants outside the Greater Toronto Area.
- Atlantic Immigration Program – employers can hire international teacher assistants for rural schools in all four Atlantic provinces.
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and all but guarantees an ITA.
7. Tips to Strengthen Your Profile
- Aim for CLB 9 or higher to maximise CRS points.
- Earn Canadian experience on a study or work permit before applying.
- Secure a provincial nomination or arranged employment offer – either can add substantial CRS points.
- Demonstrate French abilities for extra points and access to French-language draws.
- Gather detailed employment letters with duties matching NOC 43100.
8. Life and Licensing After Landing
Teacher assistants are usually regulated by school boards rather than provincial colleges. Most boards require:
- Valid first-aid/CPR certification.
- A recent vulnerable-sector police check.
- Proof of post-secondary training in education assistance or child development.
Starting salaries are typically near the national median, with comprehensive health benefits and pension plans in most public systems. Advancement into specialised support or teacher training programs is common.
FAQ
Do I need a Canadian teaching certificate to work as a teacher assistant?
No. Teacher assistants are generally classified as para-professionals, so provincial teaching certification is not required. Most boards accept a relevant certificate or diploma plus a background check and first-aid training.
How many CRS points could I expect with typical teacher assistant credentials?
A mid-career candidate aged 29 with CLB 8 language scores, a two-year diploma and three years of foreign experience usually scores between 370 and 420 CRS points. A provincial nomination or education-category draw can push that score high enough for an ITA.
Can I include part-time classroom support work toward the six-month experience requirement?
Yes. IRCC counts equivalent part-time paid work if the total equals at least 30 hours per week. For example, 15 hours per week over 12 months meets the threshold.
Which provinces offer the highest salaries for teacher assistants?
Wages trend highest in the northern territories and in western provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia, where the top hourly rate exceeds $28 to $30. jobbank.gc.ca
What if my Express Entry profile expires before I receive an invitation?
Profiles last 12 months. You can immediately create a new one with updated documents and CRS improvements, keeping you eligible for the next round of Education draws.
More Attainable Than Ever
Moving to Canada as an elementary and secondary school teacher assistant is now more attainable than ever, thanks to dedicated Express Entry draws and continuing demand across the country. By preparing strong documentation, improving language scores and exploring provincial pathways, you can turn your classroom support experience into a new life in Canada.
