Teaching in Australia: The Process explained updated 2018

[rikamarie]

Hi All

 

In 2013 I wrote a post on teaching in Australia: The process explained. I updated it again in 2015, but some of those links are outdated and since the post is still helping teachers until this day, I thought I would do an updated version to help everyone out.

 

Here is an explanation for teachers from South Africa who want to teach in Australia. There might be information here and there that might be/might not be applicable to your process. Also, teachers who have been through the process, please feel free to add to this post!

 

Step 1

Apply for unabridged birth and marriage certificates for everyone in the family.

 

Step 2

Complete the Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test through The British Council

 

British Council: http://www.britishcouncil.org.za/exam/ielts

 

You have to achieve a score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing and a score of at least 8.0 for Speaking and Listening.

 

Step 3

Complete your skills assessment through AITLS (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership).

 

Application forms can be found on the AITLS website: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/migrate-to-australia

 

Step 4

Once you have completed the IELTS and the skills assessment, you can lodge an EOI (Expression of Interest) on the Skill select website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/busi/Empl/skillselect 

 

If however, you don't have enough points (60 points minimum), you can apply for state sponsorship (which will add 5 points to your EOI). All the information can be found below on the state websites. Just be aware that not all states sponsors teachers but the lists of sponsored occupations change regularly.

 

Western Australia

http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-western-australia/how-to-apply-for-state-nomination

 

Northern Territory:

http://www.australiasnorthernterritory.com.au/migrate/migrate-to-work/northern-territory-government-visa-nomination/skilled-nominated-visas

 

South Australia:

http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants

 

Queensland:

https://migration.qld.gov.au/skilled-visa-options/im-offshore/

 

New South Wales:

https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/skilled-nominated-migration-190

 

Victoria:

https://liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/migrate/skilled-migration-visas/skilled-nominated-visa-subclass-190

 

Tasmania:

https://www.migration.tas.gov.au/skilled_migrants/skilled_nominated_visa

 

Australian Capital Territory:

http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/portal/migrating/article/skilled-visa-act-nomination/

 

Step 5

Once you have state sponsorship and an invitation from Skill select, you can start filling in the visa application.

 

Make sure when you are filling in the application form that ALL details are correct especially the dates of the documentation. Double and triple check all is correct and that there are absolutely no mistakes on your application.

 

Also make sure you have all the supporting documents in front of you and ready when submitting the application.

 

Submit and pay for the application. You should receive a confirmation email that your application has been received as well as the payment.

 

Step 6

After submitting your application, the online application page should change, and you can now start uploading all your supporting documents.

Make sure all the documents are certified clearly. Upload colour copies.

 

Step 7

Apply for police clearance certificates and go for your medicals. Your application automatically generates a medical form that you can download (which has your unique reference code on it) and you need to take this along to your medical appointment. There should be link such as “Organise health assessment”.

 

Step 8

Your case officer is assigned. Your CO will email you (sometimes they don’t if they don’t require any extra information, so make sure you upload as much supporting documents as possible), to let you know which documents are still outstanding.

If your medicals get referred, then you will have to wait for it to get cleared (can take up to 3 months). If they are cleared and no further information is required by the CO, that you will be doing the Pyjama Dance soon when you receive that GOLDEN email one morning.

 

Step 9

Once you have your visa, some states will allow you to register with them. Unfortunately for some states you physically must be in the state to register and might also first need a Working With children check (information in step 11). Please see the individual state information pages for more information.

 

WA:

http://www.trb.wa.gov.au/teacher_registrations/Becoming_registered/Pages/default.aspx

 

NT:

http://www.trb.nt.gov.au/registration/new-applicants/how-to-apply.html

 

SA:

https://www.trb.sa.edu.au/applying-registration

 

QLD:

http://www.qct.edu.au/registration/applying-for-registration

 

NSW:

https://www.teach.nsw.edu.au/find-teaching-jobs/teaching-qualification-check/apply-for-approval-to-teach

 

VIC:

https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/registering-as-a-teacher

 

TAS:

https://www.trb.tas.gov.au/Web Pages/Applying for Registration.aspx

 

ACT:

https://www.tqi.act.edu.au/teach-in-the-act/Professional-Registration

 

Early childhood teachers (birth to 9 years) MUST apply to have their qualifications approved by ACECQA (http://www.acecqa.gov.au/Assessment-of-equivalent-early-childhood-educator-qualifications) 

This can be done online and is done quickly.

Early Childhood teachers can consider teaching Kindergarten in day care. Check out the following day care companies’ websites. I have found that they are more than willing to give you the opportunity to teach with them.  Look for the job title ‘Teacher’ as Educator refers to someone that holds a diploma or certificate III in Education.

 

Goodstart Early Learning - https://careers.goodstart.org.au/search/

 

YMCA - https://ymca.org.au/get-involved/Pages/Jobs.aspx

 

Great beginnings - https://greatbeginnings.com.au/careers/

 

There are plenty more and you can just google ‘teacher day care’ or go on Seek.com.au and search for teaching jobs there.

 

Step 11

The Working with children check (not all states call it this)

 

WA:

https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/

 

NT:

https://nt.gov.au/emergency/community-safety/apply-for-a-working-with-children-clearance

 

SA:

https://screening.dcsi.sa.gov.au/screening-process/types-of-screening/child-related-employment

 

QLD:

https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/

 

NSW:

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check

 

VIC:

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

 

TAS:

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children

 

ACT:

https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1804/~/working-with-vulnerable-people-(wwvp)-registration

 

Step 12

 

Applying for jobs

Applying for jobs from South Africa can be tricky as most if not all schools prefer you to be immediately available for an interview. But don’t stress if you go over without a job. Here are some tips on securing work fast.

1.       After you have applied for your Working with children check card (WWCC) as well as your teacher’s registration, print out copies of your resume (see below for tips on resumes), teacher’s registration letter and copies of your WWCC.

2.       Do a drop-off of resumes at every single school that you are willing to travel to. Every school has there very own relief teacher application form that you will have to fill in, so take your own pen along. Submit your application along with all your supporting documents. You can also ask to see the relief teacher coordinator, so that you can introduce yourself and leave an impression.

3.       You can also register on relief teacher websites and apps (Class cover, Randstad, relief ruler. Smart teachers etc. A google search will help here, as every state has their own cover they use)

4.       Update your Seek.com.au and Linked In profile as much as possible. Create an online portfolio if you wish (portfolio gen is good for this). An online portfolio showcases all you proudest moments and best achievements as a teacher. Believe it or not, but this is a very popular method of selling yourself and really works! Make sure you upload the portfolio link into your resume and professional profiles (Seek, LinkedIn)

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/make-your-linkedin-profile-kick-ass.html

 

5. You can call schools in the day to ask if they are in need of any relief teachers the following day.

6. Wake up early and be ready in the morning so that your voice is not groggy when answering a call for relief work. Sometimes they sms and you can reply that way.

7. Set up a relief teacher pack for yourself, so that you have work to do with the students (fortunately or unfortunately, however you choose to see it, teachers do not expect or even leave you work to complete with the students, so you are left to deliver any work you see fit (within the constraints of the curriculum of course). Google again will be your friend here for relief teacher packs.

8. Once you have done some relief work, schools will offer you longer blocks of work. As permanent positions become available, you may apply and by then the school knows and trusts you and will be more likely to hire you.

9. Apply for jobs on Seek.com.au and on the government jobs websites.

10. If your application has been unsuccessful, always ask for feedback! Some are more general feedback, but some really give you insightful information as to where you went wrong, and you can concentrate on improving your application next time around.

 

Applying for jobs – the cover letter

The cover letter will make or break your application. When applying for a job, address the criteria in the job advertisement only!

Use the SAO (Situation, Action, Outcome) or STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Response) method as you have to address the Professional Standards for Teachers in your cover letter too. Here is link to an information booklet explaining these methods. I would highly recommend reading up as much as possible about these two methods.

https://www.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/636860/Job-applications-information-for-new-ECU-teaching-graduates-Final-update-3.pdf

 

This document also contains links to other websites that will help you learn how to address a cover letter.

Here is a link to the professional standards for teachers: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/standards

 

Applying for jobs – the resume

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/what-your-cv-should-look-like/news-story/d46731f52a8597b159ef6e1654c6b29d#sharehash

 

The common mistake we make is that our CV’s are too long and too in depth. As short as possible is key. Have a look at the above link for the perfect CV!

Your CV should be tailored to every application. This sounds like hard work but focus only on the information in your CV that the job advert is referring too. All the other information is useless if that is not what the advert is asking for. You can even use the SAO/STAR method in your CV.

 

Please feel free to add any information in the comments that I might have missed and feel free to share your journey with everyone.

[Mara]

@rikamarie

 

I GIVE YOU A STANDING OVATION... THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!!!

 

I just love it when forum members pay back!!!!

 

[TashDC]

Hi  I am in the process of registering with the TRBWA and I desperately need to find someone to certify my documents as Pretoria is very far from me to go to the Australian Embassy. Does anybody know where else I can get that done?

[Tntaglia]

26 minutes ago, TashDC said:

Hi  I am in the process of registering with the TRBWA and I desperately need to find someone to certify my documents as Pretoria is very far from me to go to the Australian Embassy. Does anybody know where else I can get that done?

Do you mean you need to have copies certified as true copies? That can be done at any police station. Sorry if I misunderstood your question.

[rikamarie]

On 01/02/2018 at 3:42 PM, Tntaglia said:

Do you mean you need to have copies certified as true copies? That can be done at any police station. Sorry if I misunderstood your question.

Unfortunately police certified copies are no longer accepted. A list can be found on the TRBWA website of who can certify.

[nyevfby]

Hi there, if we emigrate on my Visa (different career), may my wife who is a primary school teacher, teach in Aus without doing a skills assessment or IELTS?

[rikamarie]

1 minute ago, nyevfby said:

Hi there, if we emigrate on my Visa (different career), may my wife who is a primary school teacher, teach in Aus without doing a skills assessment or IELTS?

No unfortunately not. If she wants to teach, she has to do IELTS, get her qualifications approved and register with the teacher's registration board

[laurie26]

Hi everyone :-) has anyone applied for a WWCC for NSW while still in South Africa, if so how did you do it?

[LouiseMark]

Hi laurie26. You have to present yourself at a NSW service centre to pay for the application and to show ID. A WWCC cannot be done until you are in NSW. I jumped through all the teaching hoops a couple of months ago so if you need any help you can send me a message. Happy to help and pass on the info that people were so kind to pass on to me. 

 

[laurie26]

Thank you so much for your reply. I contacted a few teaching agencies and they said I could complete the first step (which can be done online) of the application but I had to collect it in person. I was hoping to start the application then go to Australia in the school holidays to pay and show them my id/ passport as we are only hoping to move nearer December.

[S1d97]

Hello, I have question, say I studied Early Childhood in Australia  and the degree is approved by ACEQUA but it is only one year in duration, but I also have a 3 year bachelors degree, am I likely to get positive skills assessment ?

 

I already have IELTS 8.0 each

 

Thanks 

Edited June 6, 2018 by S1d97
More info

[RYLC]

Your questions are very specific and I think you would be best to send them to AITSL directly because they know what Australian courses they approve for assessment. I'd say that we'd be hard pressed to find anybody on here who had an Australian qualification for teaching. Usually, at this assessment stage, the applicant has an entirely overseas earned degree + prac teaching + experience.  Even the agents on here won't have the level of in-house knowledge that AITSL will have on what they accept.  The AITSL staff are very helpful so perhaps give them a call as a starting point?

Edited June 6, 2018 by RYLC

[aliciavz]

On 1/29/2018 at 11:42 AM, rikamarie said:

Hi All

 

In 2013 I wrote a post on teaching in Australia: The process explained. I updated it again in 2015, but some of those links are outdated and since the post is still helping teachers until this day, I thought I would do an updated version to help everyone out.

 

Here is an explanation for teachers from South Africa who want to teach in Australia. There might be information here and there that might be/might not be applicable to your process. Also, teachers who have been through the process, please feel free to add to this post...

 

 

 

Hi Rikamarie

 

Thank you for this amazing and insightful post.  I was wondering if you could help my out.  My husband and I are in the process of applying for the 189 visa and he just wrote the academic PTE test.  However, as a teacher wanting to continue teaching in Australia I'm unsure whether the PTE is also accepted for teacher registration.  All teaching websites just mention the IELTS.  If possible I would rather do the PTE since I went through it with my husband and feel more comfortable with the format. 

[March2]

Hi @aliciavz, firstly welcome and all the best with your immigration process.  Please note that I am in no way an immigration agent and the knowledge and advice here is from what I have gauged from this lovely forum and from my experiences when applying for my visa.  I know you directed this question to Rikamarie but I will attempt to answer you as I have recently completed these steps and have my visa granted.  @rikamarie...sorry for jumping the gun here!

You HAVE to do the IELTS for teaching because that is the only English test that is recognised for your skills assessment through AITSL.  You have to also score a minimum of 7 each for reading and writing and a minimum of 8 each for speaking and listening. When you register as a teacher in any of the states, one of the requirements is having the English test done and as far as I know, only IELTS is accepted.  This is just one aspect for the AITSL application.  You can read more about that here:  https://www.aitsl.edu.au

Hope this helps.

[aliciavz]

Thank you @March2.  Help from anywhere is always welcome.  Its quite a bummer for me having to do the actual writing bit instead of the computer but thank you very much for your input.  

[AngelaA]

On 2/4/2018 at 2:04 PM, rikamarie said:

Unfortunately police certified copies are no longer accepted. A list can be found on the TRBWA website of who can certify.

Oh my goodness, thanks for the heads up!

[LucJan]

Hi everyone,

 

Hope you all well. These steps to follow (thanks a million for this) is from 2018. Any updated lists that includes more current info as we are now starting the process and want to follow those steps to get everything done perfectly!

 

TIA for your assistance!

[Noma]

Goodday
Is it possible to get a positive assessment for a 2 year secondary school diploma,18 yes teaching experience and a BCom in Financial Management .

 

[Claire1986]

Hi. 

 

I am wondering if you can help me. I am going to be coming across on my husbands 186 visa.So I do not need a skilled visa to come across as I will be allowed to work on his visa. Do I still need to do AITSL? or do I just do all the steps to register as a teacher? I won't be working initially so I want to register as a non practicing teacher, seeing as I will be needing to do a English test and get police clearance for my visa I  thought I might as well kill two birds with one stone and register.

[RoxyM]

Hi there,

 

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread. It has been so helpful. I have just recently completed my IELTS exam, I am now onto the step of applying to get my degree Assessed. Has anyone completed this program who has studied through UNISA. I am just wanting to find out how they went about receiving a letter to certify they did their practical teaching time. I only have my academic record as proof and am out of the country. 

 

Thank you again for all the guidance. 

Kind regards,

Roxy

[Levi13]

Hello Roxy there is a lady I emailed at unisa her name is Elizabeth Bekker. I emailed her at bekkeem@unisa.ac.za and she responded. I did a BA then did my pgce in Senior phase as well as FET.

 

Basically my letter states that I completed 50 full days of teaching practice

 

It then breaks down the age groups and states that I spent 25 days with learners aged 13 -15 then 16 -18.

 

It also mentions that I need to attach my teaching placement letter. Not sure whether AITSL needs this or not.

 

I have not lodged my application yet. Will let you know how I progress. 

 

Any insights that you can share on your end?