Teachers Moving or Living in Australia

[Vanduex]

Hey Clare,

 

Although the wording and tone was a little more severe than I think necessary I would say that Paul has some valid points.

 

I have been in Oz for 8 weeks. Landed a very good job in a very good school on my third day. But I had 10 years experience to fall back on.

 

Couple let of points from my personal experience.

 

- every state is different

- private was much easier to crack than state

- experience in school is useful

- 189 is much more likely than 190

- some subjects aren't quite as 'main stream' here. I specialise in history. It's still

developing

- a second subject is very useful

- it's a long process to get all your paper in order but can be done!

 

Most importantly. 1 year after we decided to do it, I am in Oz with a great job and prospects. It can be done. Stay positive but open to all potential options.

 

Hope it helps :-)

[Keefo]

My wife and I are leaving UK for WA in December. My wife had 5 phone interviews each lasting around 10 minutes, she was offered 4 jobs. She is a Maths teacher who has 10 years experience & has been put on the top pay bracket. We didn't think she would have a chance as we'd been told on here that people still in UK don't really stand a chance of landing a job. If anyone is unsure, give it a go, all schools were state schools not private.

[milliem]

There are jobs here, more so for Secondary but they are there.

 

Maths and Science are particularly popular at the moment, especially if you have Physics.

 

UK experience is increasing in value here as they edge ever closer to standardisation of the Aus National Curriculum assessment system. I for one cannot wait until national external assessments start in Qld as the senior assessment system is so convoluted and labour intensive.

 

State schools have more flexibility now to hand pick their staff, as long as you do not mind having a one year contract. So it isn't completely impossible to aim for a nice area. However; if the place is nice, there will be many applicants. One of the interviews I attended this year had 165 applicants for a coastal Maths / Science position.

 

There are plenty of private schools which regularly advertise; some of which pay even more than state but they will also get their pound of flesh in terms of the hours spent with extra curricular programmes; it is not unusual to work Saturday if you are involved with rowing, tennis, cricket etc. These are good fun though as it gives a chance to get to know the kids beyond class. There are of course also the usual camps and very regular open evenings / Saturdays.

 

New schools are constantly opening and existing ones are expanding as the population grows.

 

Millie x

[Jimmy P]

Just thought I'd add my own experiences as a newly arrived teacher in Qld. Got here end of June, got TRACER (supply teacher paperwork) sorted when we arrived. Did nothing about looking for work for 6 weeks (I needed my holiday!) When we enrolled daughter into state secondary school I handed in my resume and got a call within 24 hours for relief teaching. Did about 3 out of 5 days at the one place for a few weeks, which was a good way of settling in, and pay was quite good ($70 per hour). Saw a job advertised on Catholic Jobs website, applied, heard nothing for ages. Closing date had passed by 2 weeks, then got call out of blue. Informal chat with deputy Principal a few days before the new term started and was given 12 month contract on the spot. Teaching Business, Acounting and Maths as I was in UK. 15 years experience in UK. Have passed a copy of statement of service to be put on correct pay scale. So, there are jobs around, just be prepared to be flexible with where you want to work, and be prepared for supply or contract work. We have settled in Samford Valley, and I work in Ipswich. Now, before the nay-sayers all come on, we settled here so the children would be based in their schools first, in an area we love, and I felt I had to be prepared to travel to where the work is. I can do the 50km trip in under an hour easily. As school finishes at 2.55 I can be back by 4. Traffic is fine, as I am against the flow most the way. I'm hoping with the 12 month contract, even if nothing else comes of it at least I should be able to get my provisional rego up to full, and have valuable local experience under my belt.

[RichMusic]

Hi all planning to move out to Queensland this time next year. Wife is a nurse so is currently registering with Aussie nursing board. I am hoping to find a special school but unsure of the vacancy situation. My degree is music but teaching it here in UK is soul destroying. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Clare Crane]

I dunno where my replies have gone, but will send again just in case.

 

Anyway, thanks Vanduex and Paul for your replies. My subjects will be English and French. I have 9 years experience as a Learning Support here in Scotland, as well as 1 year teaching English in 2 schools in France. I realise that this may not carry much weight as this is all before actual teaching qualification, but it's something to stick on a CV. I plan to do my probation year here after qualifying and perhaps one or two more years after that - depending what the rules regarding dual qualification are at that time, as they seem to change all the time here in Scotland.

 

I totally realise how competitive the job market is and am prepared to do supply etc - it's no different here and many, many teachers spend years on supply before being able to secure a full-time post - so my eyes are wide open

 

I drooled over the BB job, yes, but of course that is a total dream job - hence the drooling. I'm leaning more toward QLD anyway, more specifically Brisbane. Again, quite tough cos it's popular, but what can I say I'm a city gal at heart and couldn't move half-way across the world for a small town. Plus, I'm not afraid of a challenge

 

Thanks again for your replies and any and all feedback is welcome

 

C

Edited October 28, 2014 by Clare Crane

[Clare Crane]

My wife and I are leaving UK for WA in December. My wife had 5 phone interviews each lasting around 10 minutes, she was offered 4 jobs. She is a Maths teacher who has 10 years experience & has been put on the top pay bracket. We didn't think she would have a chance as we'd been told on here that people still in UK don't really stand a chance of landing a job. If anyone is unsure, give it a go, all schools were state schools not private.

 

 

Can I ask how your wife went about applying for these posts? Did she apply directly via the school website etc?

[RichMusic]

Vanduex, I have been reading this thread with interest and hope you can help me. I did the dreaded GTP (secondary music)as a route into teaching. I know now that it isn't recognized in Australia but the talk seems to suggest that some states recognise 4 years of tertiary education. I did a post grad in music therapy at the Guildhall and an M.Ed at University of Nottingham. Would I need to do further studies. My first degree is in music. I qualified in 2003 and have done 7 years secondary, 4 years special education and currently am on primary supply getting loads of experience. My wife is currently registering with Aussie nursing board. Thanks

Edited October 29, 2014 by RichMusic

[RichMusic]

Vanduex, I have been reading this thread with interest and hope you can help me. I did the dreaded GTP (secondary music)as a route into teaching. I know now that it isn't recognized in Australia but the talk seems to suggest that some states recognise 4 years of tertiary education. I did a post grad in music therapy at the Guildhall and an M.Ed at University of Nottingham. Would I need to do further studies of rethink my move? My wife is currently registering with Aussie nursing board. Thanks

[Vanduex]

Hello mate, I am not 100% on the answer to your question. The GTP as you know isn;t enough. General advice I have seen is to complete and additional masters etc in order to extend your senior studies. The best thing you can do is contact AITSL directly.

 

Their number is: Phone: +61 2 6239 9500 - that's the Canberra office.

Or send them an email listing your quals - overseasquals@aitsl.edu.au

 

They should be able to give you a rough guide on required hours etc. Worth remembering the Aitsl process takes around 12 weeks so I wouldn't expect a yes/no over the phone. But my gut feeling (not always the right feeling) is Degree + GTP + Masters may be enough. That is based on things I have read in the past. Better to get it from the horses mouth!

[Vanduex]

Taken from the document on the website.

 

1. EDUCATIONAL Study assessed by AITSL as comparable to at least four years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education (university) level study in Australia, that results in a qualification/s comparable to the educational level of an Australian bachelor degree or higher.

 

2. PROFESSIONAL An initial teacher education qualification relevant to the Secondary school teacher occupation of at least one year full-time study (or part time equivalent) at the higher education (university) level that includes a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice with children across the age range 13 – 18 years in a secondary school setting. These qualifications must be assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian bachelor degree or higher.

[Sammy1]

Hello mate, I am not 100% on the answer to your question. The GTP as you know isn;t enough. General advice I have seen is to complete and additional masters etc in order to extend your senior studies. The best thing you can do is contact AITSL directly.

 

Their number is: Phone: +61 2 6239 9500 - that's the Canberra office.

Or send them an email listing your quals - overseasquals@aitsl.edu.au

 

They should be able to give you a rough guide on required hours etc. Worth remembering the Aitsl process takes around 12 weeks so I wouldn't expect a yes/no over the phone. But my gut feeling (not always the right feeling) is Degree + GTP + Masters may be enough. That is based on things I have read in the past. Better to get it from the horses mouth!

 

The GTP will not be accepted.

 

Four years of tertiary education is a requirement, but then so is a formal university based teaching qualification.

 

Unfortunately teaching registration boards in Australia will not register anybody to teach unless they have at least one year of initial teacher training and they do not consider the GTP to be on the same level.It makes no difference you have a Masters. The Masters is recommended as a top up if you have a three year teaching degree and need to up your tertiary education to four years to qualify for Australia.

Edited October 29, 2014 by Sammy1

[Vanduex]

''but then so is a formal university based teaching qualification.''

 

Thank that is the key part. I had forgotten that the masters was in relation to bumping the BEd to a 4 year requirement.

 

Focus on your wife as primary applicant and then perhaps re-evaluate options etc while here? Not the best news I know, but still possible.

[RichMusic]

Thanks for the info I will call them directly and let you guys know. We are concentrating on my wife as the primary applicant but need to know if I can work. Cheers.

[Sammy1]

Thanks for the info I will call them directly and let you guys know. We are concentrating on my wife as the primary applicant but need to know if I can work. Cheers.

 

Your option will most likely be to do a one year graduate teaching course here.

[Keefo]

Can I ask how your wife went about applying for these posts? Did she apply directly via the school website etc?

Hi Clare,

 

She used to look on jobswa which are all government jobs and applied from there. She joined an agency which apparently look for jobs in the private schools but that agency were useless. By the time she had organised her own interviews for 5 jobs in state schools the agency hadn't even been in contact.

[Clare Crane]

Hi Clare,

 

She used to look on jobswa which are all government jobs and applied from there. She joined an agency which apparently look for jobs in the private schools but that agency were useless. By the time she had organised her own interviews for 5 jobs in state schools the agency hadn't even been in contact.

 

Haven't heard of that site - thanks

[milliem]

Another colleague / friend from the UK wrote this 'Day in the Life' account in the TES about my current Queensland school. Just wanted to share.

 

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6448473#.VFySBWdNf-0.facebook

[Guest241083]

......thanks Milliem............that was lovely to read.....X

[Vanduex]

Another colleague / friend from the UK wrote this 'Day in the Life' account in the TES about my current Queensland school. Just wanted to share.

 

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6448473#.VFySBWdNf-0.facebook

 

Sounds pretty similar to my day. Was nice to read. :-)

[Nyssa]

Hi everyone

We have just arrived and now we have a rental and car etc thought I would get my bum in gear and look into jobs. Reading this thread has been so useful so thank you! I have 4years experience as a secondary Science teacher, also teaching a bit of Maths during my first year. Knowing we have come out at completely the wrong time of year I plan on registering and then seeing if I can get casual work. In the mean time I hope to do some volunteering in the local schools so I can see what things are like over here.

My main worry is it will be like the UK in terms of leaving a paper trial to show you are a good teacher, with time consuming incentives that don't benefit the students. I would love to hear some more experience from those teaching currently about the main differences teaching here compared to the UK.

I'll also let people know how I get on with registering in nsw seen as a lot of posts suggest its quite strict!

[Vanduex]

I am happy to help. PM me any particular questions.

 

I I have been here 13 weeks. I am going to be Head of Pedagogy at a school in QLD. I can share some ideas with you. Also working on a national project with AITSL so I can give you some ideas of trending practice :-)

 

 

Far far less of a paper trail :-)

[milliem]

Hi everyone

We have just arrived and now we have a rental and car etc thought I would get my bum in gear and look into jobs. Reading this thread has been so useful so thank you! I have 4years experience as a secondary Science teacher, also teaching a bit of Maths during my first year. Knowing we have come out at completely the wrong time of year I plan on registering and then seeing if I can get casual work. In the mean time I hope to do some volunteering in the local schools so I can see what things are like over here.

My main worry is it will be like the UK in terms of leaving a paper trial to show you are a good teacher, with time consuming incentives that don't benefit the students. I would love to hear some more experience from those teaching currently about the main differences teaching here compared to the UK.

I'll also let people know how I get on with registering in nsw seen as a lot of posts suggest its quite strict!

 

Many schools in Australia are just embarking upon this performance paper trail; with a significant amount having bought into the American style of recording and monitoring. However, not so much in Queensland as teachers here already have an enormous load with all assessments including senior written and marked internally before moderation. It can take days to mark exams and assignments. Other items tend to command less priority. I for one will be happy when we change to a system more like NSW.

[dmuk]

(First post. If not the right place, I can repost elsewhere!)

 

My partner has applied for a partner visa with the intention of moving to Perth to live and work.

 

 

She has almost 8 years work experience in teaching (3 years as a qualified teacher). She has a PGCE and has studied for circa 5 years (although 4 years at university level). All qualification attained in the UK.

 

NVQ3 Children's Care > Foundation Degree Early Years > BA Education Early Years > PGCE > MA Education

 

 

 

We essentially wanted to know what things we should do to register ahead of arriving in Australia.

 

From what I can gather:

 

1) Register with Teacher Registration Board of WA (TRB WA) (registration takes approx 12 weeks).

What level of registration are we eligible for - Full Registration / Provisional Registration / Non-Practising Registration / Limited Registration?

 

2) Register with Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)

Is this required? Or is only the TRB required?

When should this be applied for?

 

3) Register for jobs via the various online job sites (and cross fingers!).

 

Apologies if these have been answered already. Still reading through the forum.

 

 

[h=3][/h]

[wolvesaussie]

Congrats to you teachers who have just finished your first year of teaching here in Australia. My girlfriend is off back to the UK for Christmas tomorrow as a reward for her hard work this year, she settled really well and enjoyed teaching in Victoria. Much less paperwork/stress/form filling, no ofstead to worry about this year... hope u have all had a simular positive experience.