How to Teach English in Korea from Australia
The Australian pathway to a Korean teaching job in 2026 — eligibility, the AFP background check, visa steps, salary, and what happens to your pension contributions.
Quick Answer
Can Australians teach English in Korea?
E-2 Visa Eligibility for Australian Citizens
Australiais one of the seven countries eligible for Korea's E-2 teaching visa (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa). The baseline requirements are the same for every nationality:
- ✓A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university (apostilled copy required).
- ✓The official EPIK minimum is a 100-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (many recruiters recommend 120 hours for competitiveness, but 100 hours is the published requirement).
- ✓A clean national-level criminal record check — for Australian applicants, the AFP National Police Check.
- ✓Under 62 (Korea's pension-linked age cap for new E-2 teachers).
EPIK applications open around August 1 for the following Spring intake and around February 1 for the Fall intake, reviewed on a rolling basis — applying early in the window matters. See EPIK eligibility for program-specific rules.
Your Australian Document Checklist
AFP National Police Check
Apostille / authentication: DFAT (apostille)
Australians order an AFP National Police Check (the national-level check — not a state police certificate) and have it apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Processing is fast by international standards.
Full AFP check guide for Australian applicants →Your criminal record check is submitted at the EPIK application stage; once EPIK issues your Notice of Appointment (NOA), the consulate stage relies on the NOA rather than re-examining your CRC. Final document requirements are always set by your embassy or consulate — check their notice before you submit.
From Application to Arrival
| Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| AFP National Police Check | 1–3 weeks |
| DFAT apostille | 1–2 weeks |
| EPIK application + interview | rolling from Aug 1 / Feb 1 |
| NOA → E-2 visa at your consulate | 2–4 weeks |
The visa stage itself is straightforward once your NOA arrives — see the E-2 visa guide and the consulate application walkthrough for jurisdiction tables and appointment rules.
What Australian Teachers Earn — and What Comes Back
EPIK base pay runs ₩2,100,000–₩2,800,000 per month depending on your level (qualifications and experience), per the official EPIK pay scale updated May 2026. On top of base pay: a ₩300,000 settlement allowance in your first month, a ₩1,800,000 entrance allowance (timing and amounts vary by region), a ₩1,300,000 completion or exit allowance per contract, severance of roughly one month's salary, and furnished housing provided by your office of education (utilities are your responsibility).
National Pension (NPS): Lump-Sum Refund Available
Australia has a social security agreement with Korea: Australian teachers are treated equally with Korean nationals and can normally claim a lump-sum refund of National Pension contributions when leaving Korea.
Country-specific NPS lump-sum refund rules can change based on your contribution and residency history, your home country's pension system, and amendments to the Korea–partner social security agreement. Before applying, always confirm the latest guidance with both the Korean National Pension Service (NPS) and your home pension authority.
Where official sources differ, statutory agencies take precedence: National Health Insurance Service and National Pension Service publications over EPIK program guidance.
Australian Applicants Ask
Is a state police certificate accepted for the Korean E-2 visa?
No. Korea requires the national-level AFP National Police Check for Australians, apostilled by DFAT. State police certificates are not accepted for the E-2 visa.
Do Australian teachers get their Korean pension back?
Yes, in the normal case. Under the Australia–Korea social security agreement, Australians can claim a lump-sum refund of National Pension contributions when they permanently leave Korea. Confirm your individual eligibility with the NPS before departure.
How long does the process take from Australia?
Plan 2–4 months from ordering your AFP check to arrival. The AFP check and DFAT apostille are comparatively quick, so the EPIK review window usually sets the pace.
Which Korean mission in Australia handles my E-2 visa?
Korean missions in Australia serve fixed jurisdictions by state and territory. Check our consulate directory and confirm against your consulate's own published notice before booking.
How much can Australians earn teaching in Korea?
EPIK base pay is ₩2.1–2.8 million per month by level, plus allowances, severance of roughly one month's pay, and free furnished housing. Hagwon contracts are negotiated individually and commonly fall in a similar range.
This page is general guidance for prospective teachers, not legal or immigration advice. Korvia is a teaching-recruitment company — visa and pension decisions rest with Korean immigration, your consulate, and the relevant agencies. Always confirm final requirements with your embassy or consulate, Korean immigration, or a licensed professional.
Ready to Start from Australia?
Korvia has placed teachers in Korean public schools since 2006 — free for applicants, including Australian candidates at every step from documents to arrival.
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