Teachers Moving or Living in Australia

[TeacherBen]

Hi Kayleigh,

 

You're right that you need a 4 years degree course - I did a BSc and a PGCE. I believe a masters would be sufficient, or a PGCE but it seems a little odd to do a PGCE after a BEd! Maybe look in to a masters of education?? A 4 year BEd course would've been acceptable...as Vanduex says, easy route will be PGCE! Hope this helps a little

Edited April 8, 2014 by TeacherBen

[kayleigh1234]

Thanks,

I am going to see if I can do a PGCE if not I'll do part of a masters or something just so it is recognised. It does seem silly though as I spent 3 years training to be a teacher.

 

Kayleigh

[TeacherBen]

Agreed!! Seems odd...my mate has done a GTP and cannot get a visa for teaching unless he does a PGCE conversion course! Strange world!! Good luck with it all though Any other questions please ask away!

[kayleigh1234]

So many hurdles! I think I will see if I can meet with a careers advisor but it all takes time. How long did it take from start to end before moving to Australia? My partner and I would like to be in Australia in the next 2-3 years.

[TeacherBen]

It seems daunting at first...I started my application in July 13 (getting AITSL approval - that was returned October 13) and had my visa granted December 13 so less than 6 months!

[kayleigh1234]

Thank you. Did you use an immigration agent?

[TeacherBen]

No, I just did it myself! It's just me and it was fairly straight forward. Once AITSL was sorted it was a case of getting documents up together, and waiting for a Case Officer. If you get your PGCE then it'll be a straight forward case! An agent can almost double the price, and I couldn't afford it! With a partner it may be a little easier to at least talk to an agent before to see whether it'll be more difficult. Some people on here think agents are worth it, others don't (they offer some cracking advice on here)! Maybe ask in the regular migration forum for your specific case??

[kayleigh1234]

I do think they cost a lot. I have been using websites to help me and so far they have been the best source of information. Thank you for all your help.

[TeacherBen]

I think if your application is straight forward it's good to go alone! No worries - just ask if you need anymore help!

[Sammy1]

Thanks,

I am going to see if I can do a PGCE if not I'll do part of a masters or something just so it is recognised. It does seem silly though as I spent 3 years training to be a teacher.

 

Kayleigh

 

As you already have a Bachelor of Education you do not need to do a PGCE. I very much doubt the universities in The UK would allow you (a qualified teacher) to do one anyway especially as it would be purely for the purpose of emigrating to Australia.

 

You need to complete one more year of university education, whether that is for example a graduate certificate in special needs or a masters. Do the one year in further study and then you will be eligible.

[elizabethkolo]

I have a questions about my AITSL assessment. I did my degree in Perth, WA at Curtin University. When I requested evidence that I had completed a minimum 45 days of supervised teaching practice, they supplied me with a signed and dated letter on official letterhead stating that I had completed over 90 days. It also gave the names of the schools, the ages of the students, and the duration of each practicum.

 

I am hoping this is enough to satisfy AITSL, because I imagine getting my paws on supervised practicum reports from the uni would be next to bloody impossible!

 

Do you guys think this letter is enough?

[TeacherBen]

I got the same thing - a letter on headed paper explaining how many days teaching I'd done, plus all of the other studies we'd done on the PGCE. It also explained what I'd got for each module sat etc! AITSL accepted that for mine

[elizabethkolo]

Brilliant Ben. Thanks for the reassurance. Sent my application to AITSL yesterday :-) Fingers crossed!

[Keefo]

My wife did all that along with all the transcripts and it was accepted several months back.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Keefo

[Coolbreeze]

Hi all,

I have been spending many hours on the internet on the SA DECD site as well as many forums, site etc, trying to find out the answer to a question I have.

 

 

So, I upload my resume to DECD and opt in to the type of jobs I want?? (Permanent, Temporary, relief etc).

 

 

Do I have put if preference for subjects I 'think' I can teach....or what I am 'Trained' to teach or what i have 'experience; in teaching???? I have a degree in History, but PGCE in ICT and have taught Business Studies for 3 years too (never taught history).

 

 

Okay, what happens next? DO they find me a job? I'm placed there? Interview? provide a sample teaching lesson? I can't believe I would be offered a full time permanent contract with as little as an interview??

 

 

I probably seem like a right prat, but there is no step by step guide on how this works. The private schools seem to work in exactly the same way as UK - Advertise / I apply with Resume and covering letter/ Interview/ Appointment.

 

 

 

 

Please if someone can clarify how employment in the state education sector works, I would be very grateful

 

 

Thanks

[milliem]

Hey

 

They do not ask for a sample lesson at the interview stage but they will give you a ranking which will decide your rate of pay for state schools. This will be based on the portfolio and statements of service. I think each state varies but you can opt for subjects you wish to teach and the school will then decide whether you have enough experience or quals in that area. In Queensland that state schools are now given the independence to hire who they want. I am not sure about the other states.

 

Best of luck

[Kooky]

Hey cool breeze you don't sound like a prat at all - I am applying for SA too and are as baffled as you are so really glad you asked the question! Can I ask you though - I thought you couldn't even think of applying until you have registration (which in my understanding you can't get until you are there). Is this not the case - do you know something I don't? Please share if you do! :wink:

[Coolbreeze]

Hey cool breeze you don't sound like a prat at all - I am applying for SA too and are as baffled as you are so really glad you asked the question! Can I ask you though - I thought you couldn't even think of applying until you have registration (which in my understanding you can't get until you are there). Is this not the case - do you know something I don't? Please share if you do! :wink:

 

Hi Kooky,

 

You are indeed correct. I was asking in anticipation for when we arrive. I have signed up for this mandatory course (RAN Course) for 11th July and from there I can actually apply to the TRB for registration. However, before all of this, we need to get our certificates etc certified and sent to TRB so they can send us letter as to whether our qualifications are indeed equivalent to the Oz quals. This letter and the RAN attendance certificate is what you need for registration

 

Hoop, Hurdle, Hoop, Hurdle

 

You planning on being in Adelaide?? When are you moving over? We are arriving on 7th July...

[Kooky]

Hey coolbreeze. Yes we are heading to Adelaide. Sounds up our street and I have a friend there (in flagstaff hill) who has kids a similar age to ours so we decided it would be as goo a place as any to go initially - at least the kids will have ready made friends to help them settle in! (Plus my friend has a pool so may as well take advantage :biggrin: ha ha).

 

We don't have a set time to go - I am going to see out the school year (so end of July) but my husband has now come off work to sort the house/packing/paperwork etc and will go as soon as we sell and try to get a job/rental etc. we are hoping we can sell pretty quickly but just don't know in this market! We have to go before march next year (to validate visa) but I really don't want to be going then - ideally it'd be good to be going as soon as work is finished then I will still have a wage (albeit a part time one) for the first 6 weeks of living there so it'll make things a little easier!

 

going to SA is a bit of a nightmare for teachers isn't it - because of not being able to apply for jobs until after the RAN course and the registration. That's why if we can get sold soon DH will go over first then hopefully one of us will at least have a supply wage (if we are lucky enough!) to support us (wouldn't be quite as scary if it were just me and DH but we have 2 little boys!). We do have a good amount of equity to support us but obviously the less of it we can spend the better the house situation will be.

 

So why Adelaide? (You been there before?) do you know whereabouts you want to live? Have you you sorted accommodation etc or are you just going to arrive there and see what you can get? (Is it just you or do you have a partner/wife/kids?). July 7th will be here before you know it - how exciting!!!

[Coolbreeze]

Hey coolbreeze. Yes we are heading to Adelaide. Sounds up our street and I have a friend there (in flagstaff hill) who has kids a similar age to ours so we decided it would be as goo a place as any to go initially - at least the kids will have ready made friends to help them settle in! (Plus my friend has a pool so may as well take advantage :biggrin: ha ha).

 

We don't have a set time to go - I am going to see out the school year (so end of July) but my husband has now come off work to sort the house/packing/paperwork etc and will go as soon as we sell and try to get a job/rental etc. we are hoping we can sell pretty quickly but just don't know in this market! We have to go before march next year (to validate visa) but I really don't want to be going then - ideally it'd be good to be going as soon as work is finished then I will still have a wage (albeit a part time one) for the first 6 weeks of living there so it'll make things a little easier!

 

going to SA is a bit of a nightmare for teachers isn't it - because of not being able to apply for jobs until after the RAN course and the registration. That's why if we can get sold soon DH will go over first then hopefully one of us will at least have a supply wage (if we are lucky enough!) to support us (wouldn't be quite as scary if it were just me and DH but we have 2 little boys!). We do have a good amount of equity to support us but obviously the less of it we can spend the better the house situation will be.

 

So why Adelaide? (You been there before?) do you know whereabouts you want to live? Have you you sorted accommodation etc or are you just going to arrive there and see what you can get? (Is it just you or do you have a partner/wife/kids?). July 7th will be here before you know it - how exciting!!!

 

My Mum's family are in Adelaide already so we have arranged to stay with an Auntie until we get some sort of income. We stayed in Adelaide last summer for 4 weeks to look around at suburbs etc to see if it was financially viable (which it seemed to be). It is myself and partner going over. She is also a teacher so we are in a bit of competition for jobs. We will be residing in Golden Grove area to start with. I am hoping with 2 years international school work experience and being Deputy Head for 18 months I can hopefully find 'something' within the private schools there.

 

I am really nervous about finding a job as many people on this forum love to shout out how 'difficult' it is to find teaching jobs in Australia. Fingers crossed though. I think we will need to be as pro-active as possible out there and approach the private schools. Hopefully we can all make a successful life out there

[Sammy1]

I don't think people on here love to 'shout' out that teaching jobs are scarce. That's actually the reality here and it is really important for migrants to come with a realistic idea of the job climate and so plan accordingly.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Sammy1

[Kooky]

My Mum's family are in Adelaide already so we have arranged to stay with an Auntie until we get some sort of income. We stayed in Adelaide last summer for 4 weeks to look around at suburbs etc to see if it was financially viable (which it seemed to be). It is myself and partner going over. She is also a teacher so we are in a bit of competition for jobs. We will be residing in Golden Grove area to start with. I am hoping with 2 years international school work experience and being Deputy Head for 18 months I can hopefully find 'something' within the private schools there.

 

I am really nervous about finding a job as many people on this forum love to shout out how 'difficult' it is to find teaching jobs in Australia. Fingers crossed though. I think we will need to be as pro-active as possible out there and approach the private schools. Hopefully we can all make a successful life out there

 

great you can stay with an auntie for a while. You planning on staying in Adelaide or will you move to a different state once you are in oz?

 

My my husband is a teacher too and so the competition for jobs will be in our household too, we have been on many interviews together in the past and he always gets it so it'll probably be the same in oz :rolleyes: Though he has been in leadership for quite some time now so we probably won't apply for the same posts anyway! What at is your partners specialism?

 

I am am pretty nervous too about the lack of job situation but I am not proud and will work anywhere to be honest so if there is no teaching work around I will just look elsewhere :wink: We have kids so really can't afford to be without jobs for too long! That's my biggest worry - the kids being ok but I am pretty optimistic and know that we will work it out one way or another (worst case scenario is we can't get jobs, run out of our equity and have to head back home and maybe live with my mum for a while - but I recon it won't come to that!).

 

I have spent the whole day today trying to sort out the house - not even finished in the kids play room let alone the rest of the house! Can't wait to get there but feels like we have so much to do before then! (Exciting though isn't it!?)

[Kooky]

I don't think people on here love to 'shout' out that teaching jobs are scarce. That's actually the reality here and it is really important for migrants to come with a realistic idea of the job climate and so plan accordingly.

 

Thanks sammy - it's good to know the reality (scary too!). I think anyone in their right mind needs to have alternative plans on the job front to ensure they are not in a nightmare situation once there. I am planning to try to get supply initially but if I can't i am pretty happy to do most things, I used to be a hairdresser so worst case scenario I guess I could do some mobile hairdressing :rolleyes:

[Coolbreeze]

I don't think people on here love to 'shout' out that teaching jobs are scarce. That's actually the reality here and it is really important for migrants to come with a realistic idea of the job climate and so plan accordingly.

 

I think for every person (in teaching) that has a great deal of difficulty finding a job, there seems to be another that has almost seamlessly found work. I believe these people to be the ones willing to move interstate - work in country, metropolitan or aboriginal schools - and accept lower positions than what they had in the UK/International School.

 

I do not have kids and have absolutely no worries about working in any educational establishment or any workplace to just gain an income. I would happily work in a shop / bar / restaurant /agricultural work etc. On this bases, I have absolutely no concerns about teaching jobs being so extremely difficult to come by as all good things come to those who wait and are willing to stretch their job search to anything that pays.

 

I have heard shockers of people writing over 100 job applications and not getting any interviews. I can say now, that is either extremely, extremely bad luck - or, more likely, a very poor CV/Covering letter that has not been personalised for the school in which they were applying for. Also, many people are so restricted by which state thy want to work in, they cut out another few hundred schools.

 

But, I agree with you - be prepared to have to work at it, be patient, be willing to work anywhere. ensure you can support yourself financially in case of no employment, but NEVER be scared off emigrating and trying to makes your dreams come true. I have seen some extremely negative comments on forums on the impossible nature of a UK teacher gaining employment- that's BS. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, never give up and work work work for it. This is what we teach our kids and we should start taking our own advice I think.

 

I am saddened by how many teachers give up their dream because of other people's experiences....make your own experiences I say.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Coolbreeze

[Sammy1]

I think for every person (in teaching) that has a great deal of difficulty finding a job, there seems to be another that has almost seamlessly found work. I believe these people to be the ones willing to move interstate - work in country, metropolitan or aboriginal schools - and accept lower positions than what they had in the UK/International School.

 

I do not have kids and have absolutely no worries about working in any educational establishment or any workplace to just gain an income. I would happily work in a shop / bar / restaurant /agricultural work etc. On this bases, I have absolutely no concerns about teaching jobs being so extremely difficult to come by as all good things come to those who wait and are willing to stretch their job search to anything that pays.

 

I have heard shockers of people writing over 100 job applications and not getting any interviews. I can say now, that is either extremely, extremely bad luck - or, more likely, a very poor CV/Covering letter that has not been personalised for the school in which they were applying for. Also, many people are so restricted by which state thy want to work in, they cut out another few hundred schools.

 

But, I agree with you - be prepared to have to work at it, be patient, be willing to work anywhere. ensure you can support yourself financially in case of no employment, but NEVER be scared off emigrating and trying to makes your dreams come true. I have seen some extremely negative comments on forums on the impossible nature of a UK teacher gaining employment- that's BS. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, never give up and work work work for it. This is what we teach our kids and we should start taking our own advice I think.

 

I am saddened by how many teachers give up their dream because of other people's experiences....make your own experiences I say.

 

Ok, I will give you an example. One school advertised a position in their pool and had three hundred people applying - many excellent cv's amongst them. That is the reality and many more schools report the same number of applicants.

 

I actually get a little bit fed up of people in the UK ignoring the statistics and the advice given on here.It seems that some people who are on the other side of the world 'know' more than we do about the job situation.

 

It is not uncommon for applicants to send off seventy cv's and not receive an interview, simply because the situation is so competitive.

 

It is not about being negative, more about being realistic. However, if you are willing to work in another field altogether, then good luck to you.

 

This thread is certainly not about putting off anybody considering emigrating, it is simply to give correct information (by educators that actually live here) that then allows people to make an informed decision, rather than one based on rose coloured glasses.

 

By the way, Aboriginal schools in remote communities require a certain kind of dedication and EXPERIENCE. It annoys me when people think they are the easy option.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Sammy1