Our recent webinar on teaching opportunities in Australia had a fantastic turnout and covered a wide range of topics, including the benefits of pursuing a career in education and the many pathways and qualifications for becoming a teacher in the country. For those who couldn’t attend, we aim to summarise the key points discussed.
Teaching is a highly fulfilling profession that provides a variety of rewards, the most important of which is the potential to positively impact the lives of Australia's future workforce. This is why teaching is such a sought-after career in Australia, with many schools and educational institutions actively seeking skilled teachers to fill vacancies, going as far to look for teaching professionals abroad.
There are various paths to becoming a teacher in Australia, including standard university degrees in education, vocational training programmes, and innovative avenues such as the Teach for Australia programme. Each path has its own set of needs and benefits, and it is critical to explore and weigh all choices before making a selection. Teachers with experience in high-demand fields such as STEM, special education, and rural or remote areas may find it easier to find employment.
Teachers who want to live and work in Australia must have specific qualifications and criteria met, such as a bachelor's degree or higher in education, completion of an accredited teacher training programme, and registration with the applicable state or territory teaching authority. Furthermore, in order to keep their registration and stay current with the latest teaching practices and technologies, teachers must engage in ongoing professional development.
To be able to teach effectively in Australian schools, teachers must have a high degree of English language proficiency. To verify their ability, applicants may be asked to take an English language test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
To live and work in Australia, teachers will need to secure the relevant visa. The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) are points-based system that evaluate an applicant's qualifications, work experience, and other considerations, is the most prevalent visa for teachers. It is extremely recommended that you contact a reputable immigration consultancy to have your point evaluation completed.
Overall, it's vital to remember that immigrating to a new country may be a difficult experience, and teachers should be prepared for cultural differences as well as open to learning and adapting to the Australian way of life.