Teaching Jobs in Australia

Thinking of teaching in Australia?

Australia is popular with UK teachers looking for new challenges in a very different, exciting environment. It offers an attractive lifestyle with an easy cultural transition. As you have arrived at this page you have probably started your research and realised that getting good advice is paramount to a successful application. Apart from being MARA registered agents we are also solicitors – therefore, perfectly placed to negotiate the hurdles of the Australian emigration process.

We have helped many teachers: nursery, primary and secondary, lecturers SEN and educational support staff to achieve their dream of starting a new life in Australia. If you have a PGCE or a full 4 year educational degree and are considering moving to Australia call us on 0207 427 5290 or complete the form on the right.

Teaching Jobs in Australia

Schools vary from large comprehensives to very small rural schools. As in the UK, some are founded by religious organisations. There are state and private schools with non government accounting for a third of all schools and 36% of all teaching staff. Some jobs require teaching across all disciplines. The student to staff ratio is around 12 to 15:1.

There are 4 terms in the academic year with the first term starting late January. Terms last 8 to 12 weeks and the summer break is around 6 weeks. Positions are available throughout the year but the peak time for vacancies starts in late September in readiness for the first term. A school day is generally 9am to 3.30. Australia is currently developing a national curriculum similar to the UK.

Pay is dependent on your experience and the job. There are also salary variations between the territories. Salaries are around the same and slightly higher than the UK (generally between $55K and $100K (Aus Dollars). Though the living costs are considerably lower.

Anyone entering Australia as a skilled migrant will have a skills assessment. Skills assessments is an application whereby applicants’ qualifications are compared against Australian standards as required under the Skilled Migration Program.

In addition, you will need to register with the local authority of the relevant territory which will have its own recruitment criteria. As a general guide, you will be required to have 3- 4 years’ of tertiary training and a teaching qualification which is recognised by the regulatory body of the territory. There is a criminal record check and a literacy/English language test.

PRIMARY TEACHERS:

Primary Teachers are currently on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) meaning that you would need to be either on one of the State’s lists for Sponsorship or be employed by an Australian School or suitable Australian employer. So if you are looking to Move to Australia as a Primary Teacher you will need to look at where you want to go or if you would be able to get sponsored. The Sponsorship is usually offered through a State Government or an Australian Employer (private or State Government School).

The State Governments have a lot of roles that are posted on their websites or associated websites.

For those under the age of 31, the Working Holiday visa might be a good start. 

These sites go into a lot of detail about what you need to be showing when applying for positions in a State School. You will need to be registered with the State Government Education Department in order to work in the Schools.

Private Fee Paying Schools consist of single sex schools as well as religious based schools there are also general fee paying schools that are mixed.

There are a lot of private Schools and these can be found on the various online directories.