Jazzhead

To get the required minimum of 60 points for a 189 app I have worked out that I will need to obtain Superior English in the IELTS test. This equates to a minimum score of 8 across all four categories. Can anyone advise me as to the difficulty of the General English test and how to best go about preparing for it? TIA.

I would be interested to hear more about this. Could you perhaps provide a link to a government website? Thanks.

Thank you, Adonjio, that is of tremendous help. Gives me a much better idea of what I would be faced with should I make the move. Thanks again.

Yes, of course. My wording wasn't great in my request, apologies. I was enquiring as to if any regular contributors to this forum (and ex pats) may be able to suggest their school which I could then formally approach. I am aware of the protocol for organising a school visit Again, any help on this issue would be warmly welcomed. Thanks.

Hi, I will be visiting Perth and Melbourne between 24th June and 13th July. I was wondering if anyone working in a school in those areas might kindly allow me to make a brief visit in order to get a feel for an Australian school? It would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you may be able to provide this opportunity. Many thanks

Hi ladies and gentleman, I'm just wondering if there are any Music teachers here who may be able to give me an overview of the secondary school Music landscape? What's the job market like at present? I'm on the verge of completing my PGCE and wish to apply for a 189. Also, am I required to complete my NQT year in the UK? Thank you ?

Excerpt from this source: http://newteachers.tes.co.uk/news/guide-new-induction-rules/46335 'Overseas induction - Another significant change is the ability to complete induction in some British schools overseas. Under the previous guidelines it was possible to serve induction in a small number of forces overseas schools, but from September 1 2012, induction can be served in a British School overseas, provided it's a member of a DfE accredited association and has had a satisfactory or better inspection within the last four years.' I would say that this implies that one would not be able to undertake NQT induction in an Australian school.

Oh okay. I'm guessing that the reality is that securing a visa and/or job without it would be pretty nigh on impossible though. Would you say that's a fair assumption?

Okay. I only ask as I've heard it said on here that only the PGCE, strictly, is recognised by AITSL. Do they recognise the Scottish equivalent then? I know that Schools Direct/SCITT graduates are not recognised. Again, pardon my ignorance regarding North of the border quals!

Will you still be awarded a PGCE after completing your ITT in Scotland, Iain? (Pardon my ignorance).

After more research I'm 99% certain UK post grad teachers have to complete their NQT year in UK. I would ideally be looking at Melbourne too. I lived there for a year in my early twenties and have friends there.

Wow, that's quite reassuring. I will be applying for just myself so I'm hoping it will be relatively straightforward (relatively being the operative word!). Owing to my personal circumstances - under 40, no kids, never been married, no partner, no criminal record, no major health issues - I don't plan on using a migration agent. I can't really think of any reason why their expertise would benefit a 'vanilla' application such as mine (happy to be corrected on that though). Certainly don't think I could justify the fee in my circumstance. Will def complete my NQT year in UK and complete AITSL and IELTS in that time so as to be equipped for EOI in summer 2016. Just hoping that prospects are okay for high school Music teachers over there. Will keep a keen eye on National Curriculum developments! I wonder if my 20 years experience in the workplace prior to teaching might bolster my application? Worked freelance as an audio visual technician for a decade.

Ah okay, got ya. Thanks, Benji. I see that you are very recently going through the process. Best of luck to you and I will keep track of your progress posts. Like I say, I need to do my NQT year in the UK first (is that correct btw??) so will not be submitting an EOI until summer 2016. Will probably do AITSL and IELTS summer 2015 (if I pass superior IELTS then I will be submitting an EOI with 80 points). Benji (or anyone else), would it be possible to post a quick glance numbered list of the steps in the submission process in chronological order and approx time scale e.g. 1. Get skills assessed by AITSL (12 weeks) 2. xxxx 3. xxxx ...etc. That would be most excellent

Also, is state registration preferable to a 189? Or am I just making a false inference from you stating that it might be harder to obtain than an independent visa? Thanks for your replies by the way

Three year BA in Music at Leeds College of Music (first class honours) and PGCE secondary music at Manchester Metropolitan. Would that be consistent with the way AITSL assessors like it iyo, Benji?

Hi Benji, Yes, I plan on doing IELTS to gain 20 extra points in order to strengthen my application. So you're saying that my relative lack of actual teaching years might not be a huge obstacle in applying for a 189 then?

Hi fellow teachers, I will have completed my NQT year in the UK by summer 2016 (secondary music). I then plan on applying for a skilled visa (either sponsored or an independent). I know that I will only have the two years teaching experience then, however, by summer 2016 I will be 39 years old. I don't wish to leave to apply until I am after 40 as I will automatically drop 10 points. My question: do you think that two years experience will be sufficient enough to lodge an EOI and realistically have a chance of securing at least an invitation to apply? Any other general advice regarding moving to Australia to teach would be greatly appreciated. Thank you :cool:

I have just posted an almost identical thread, Hopeful. I can't comment authoritatively on the immigration issue, however, for future reference I think the only other concern in not disclosing it would be if you ever had to make an insurance claim due to illness and the underwriter requested to see your UK medical history. It would be prudent to disclose it henceforth. Maybe seek discreet professional advice on the immigration front.

Thanks for your responses guys, greatly appreciated. wrussell, I will seek professional advice eventually if I feel that I need to use an agent. I'm simply making informal enquiry right now via people who may have had similar concerns previously. Anyway, I'm certain that your suggestion constitutes as a conflict of interest?! He he Thanks again guys.

Thanks for the reply, Adonna. My main concern is whether or not the authorities have access to my GP's notes as they contain some pretty grim info regarding how I felt at the time I was experiencing depression e.g. my doctor summarised my thoughts at the time which were pretty dark. I will fully disclose the depressive episode on my application of course. I'm just wondering if my GP records will be requested at any point or if it is simply a case of me disclosing my medical history, medications and undergoing a medical examination. I'll await responses from other users who may know categorically. I hope that I'm just being unduly paranoid!

Hi everyone, New user here. Some quick background before my question: 37 year old male. Secondary school teacher (music). Looking to hopefully secure a 189 visa within the next two years. Previously held a working holiday visa in my early twenties. My question... How in depth do the authorities look into your medical records/history during the visa application process? About three years ago I developed a moderate case of depression including panic attacks after series of life events happened simultaneously that I had to deal with (end of a difficult relationship, stress with my studies, financial worries, parental issues etc). I was prescribed a standard dose of an anti depressant (which I still take daily) and this resolved the illness completely. Would this be a significant hurdle in my application or not? Advice from anyone who may have experienced similar concerns during the application process would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Jazzhead (not my real name )