benj1980

Well there's a lot of Kiwi's here! IELTS isn't fun, I don't know anyone who enjoys it, just part of the process I'm afraid!

Of course Dockers, why would you support anyone else? Flagmantle!!

No where near me! But if I'm in the area...

I think age discrimination would only depend on the job sector you are going into. Plus in WA if you get here, there's plenty of work. So we keep getting told anyway by the pollies. Nothing replaces rolling up your sleeves, being flexible and networking. So sport is a good way to meet people. AFL is king in WA, so you'll need to purchase a purple guernsey (yes not jersey) and embrace it! I coach rugby union but it's hard to compete against AFL. NPL soccer is the highest level of state soccer and it's ok, to be honest it's pretty limited. Don't get me started on Perth Glory! Rugby League has a following but it's mainly kiwis and there's a limited amount of clubs. There was a pro club in WA once upon time, but it struggled and disappeared. I disagree when people say there's not enough to do here, I like to explore new areas, travel around and we find new places all the time. Been here nearly 7 years. I'm naturally a country boy so big cities like Sydney and Melbourne wouldn't interest me past a vacation. Anyway age won't be a barrier!

Chips over here are rubbish, only a few places do them freshly cut (I'm in WA). I always request salt and vinegar hula hoops when people go to the UK. You're not coming to WA are you @pob ?!!!!!

We are at the stage where 3 members of staff have left to work out country (temporary promotions) and 2 people who were offered contracts have done the same leaving us short of teachers. So if anyone is keen in working in sunny Mandurah (well it's raining today) let me know!

I definitely paid, I actually paid too much as I got more documents signed than required. The registration takes a bit of time to complete and I didn't want to be wasting time when I could be working. I can't actually remember what I paid now, I'm sure it's gone up! I was living in Wiltshire at the time so a bus took me into Victoria station I believe. I'm a Cornish lad so if I was still living down there I would have stayed overnight somewhere!

Initially I was classed as non practising. After two years I moved to full registration.

If you mean registering with TRBWA I did it from the UK. There were forms that needed to be signed by an Australian citizen (professional) and so I popped to the embassy for the day and got them to do it. I had my TRB Number before I landed in Oz meaning I was in work within a week.

I think I'm probably a realist as well working in this field. There's a shortage of teachers and yet hundreds of surplus of Phys Ed graduates each year. Many of these will pick up Junior school health studies, Science, amongst others and pick up some Phys Ed as well if we can find a way. Genuine Mathematicians and Scientists are very valuable to a school but we don't get 10, in fact we'd be very lucky to get a couple of them apply for every job role available. However the debate remains, can they teach? The education department have developed a program called LEAP in which you can do a post grad (and shorter courses) in Science or Maths and I believe it is fully funded, the idea is to attract teachers to switch to these subjects. I think this is a great idea, teachers with experience get a solid grounding in what they would teach. It's had some good success...

My point is you can have all the knowledge in the world but can't teach and it is a skill, then it will have no impact to a class. If you have read one textbook but can teach the information in a way that hooks the students in and keeps them engaged in the subject, then I know which I'd prefer of my teachers. You can only do this up to a certain level though, you can't wing it as the topics get more complex it simply isn't sustainable. The optimum of course is a teacher with fantastic subject knowledge through university study, who shows passion and is simply a great teacher as well. As a regular teacher recruiter we are always looking for those!

I didn't know there was actual stats based around violence against teachers and disgruntlement, is this through the union? If you have a source I'd be interested in seeing it. I only know of one Aussie who has stuck it out in the UK system but plenty who come back, that could be for a multitude of reasons but they generally say the English system was more challenging in terms of students and expectations. I have only worked in Australia for seven years so I'd suggest that this isn't really long enough to suggest whether there has been a decline in standards, it's a big statement to make but there is certainly more awareness of every incident within a school due to social media. I don't think academic outcomes have changed much in this time and in WA there's been huge investment in things like Special Educational Needs which even ten years ago wasn't really of the same significance.

I would suggest you are correct. You can have all the subject knowledge and passion in the world but if you can't communicate to your audience it's a waste of time. Nobody wants to teach a subject that is completely alien to them however, that said some have and thrived. Maths would be difficult as you need to continue to build your knowledge and aptitude in the subject to move on to the next level of difficulty, but history or civics just read up on the subject. Having said this, not at senior school level!

I don't entirely agree with this. Pay wise yes, the latest offer isn't enough. Safety in some schools is coming under scrutiny perhaps but it is a small amount I would suggest. Although schools aren't full of angels who want to learn. People leave the UK teaching profession in droves and it is not just inner city schools. The work life balance doesn't even compare, there's more flexibility certainly in the public system although I can't comment on the private system. My experience is based on a tough secondary school, followed by a leafy green secondary school in the UK followed by a low socioeconomic high school and of course my teaching network. I left whilst academy structures were in their infancy, I understand this has really stripped schools in the UK as they strive to save money. Public schools here aren't superbly resourced either but has support mechanisms through the department to support with disabilities, mental health and behaviour are active and work well with schools. I'd be interested in knowing what sort of school you work in Blue Flu?

Times have changed, previously I would have had a few responses by now! People looking for work! Western Australia has only just reopened I guess, as well a higher point score... Can anyone confirm whether they are/or aware of others finding it difficult to emigrate because of points in teaching?

Well yes the points have all changed since I applied you needed 60 I think and I had 65! I haven't kept up to date with visa requirements admittedly in any detail. @Marisawright it seems you have

The Visa asks for Secondary Teachers it doesn't stipulate subjects?

I think what you need to understand is if you enjoy politics, citizenship etc. That obviously what you'd teach over here would be different. We have HASS teachers who are Poms but they are really teaching things that they have little subject knowledge of because you are teaching in a different context. There's more overlap with Geography of course. It's not really an issue you'll just have to do some reading and research!

@ScotErin would need to check that out and it could change of course!

What is it? Is it HASS related? History, Geography, Citizenship& Politics, Business Studies? In terms of migration I think as a High School teacher it would be ok. But it is a HASS role I'm thinking so you would need to be flexible as HASS teachers are pretty common. Skilled occupation list (homeaffairs.gov.au) There's plenty of visa options I think?

Always Science and Maths. English, Technology seems to be the next priority and then HASS, but not Phys Ed! Unfortunately everyone wants to be a Phys Ed teacher over here, many split their time with their secondary subjects and most of them are awesome in the classroom.

I'm intrigued whether Rick2021 ever made it?!

I was in the UK and booked an appointment at the Australian embassy in London. It meant my teaching registration came through before I was in the country and therefore able to work almost straight away as a relief teacher. Although I paid to get things signed, working after a week was a stress off my mind having a family including three children! At the time it had to be signed by a professional whom was an Australian citizen I believe, this was 7 years ago so may have changed and it was Western Australia...

Hi Guys I haven't been on here for a while, but as we start to open up here in WA I thought I'd put a post out. I was wondering if there are any teachers who are looking to make the move soonish, perhaps you already have a visa or close to obtaining it. Many schools in the state have struggled to obtain teachers this year due to retirements, Covid mandates etc. This will pick up but if you are wondering when might be a good time to move, now I'd suggest would be as good as any. I work in the public system in a High School so your typical comprehensive school in the UK. SOR in sunny Mandurah we are looking out for more teachers and good teachers will be picked up pretty quickly into more lengthy contracts, leading to permanency. Two people I have connected with have from this forum have ended up with permanent jobs at my school to date, so if you have any questions please message me or reply on the post and I'll get back to you. There's always plenty of debate over where you should live when you come to WA. I preferred the more rugged feel of where I live compared to NOR. But then I'm from Cornwall so the more un-spoilt coastline the better for me! The reality is there's jobs NOR too.

Thank you!