What do I need to know about teaching in Sydney, Australia?
September 29, 2013 1:55 PM Subscribe
Will I even be able to get a job there??
I currently live in Vancouver, Canada and I want to move to Sydney a) because my sister lives there and I miss her terribly, and b) because I truly love the city.
I have already filed to have my teaching qualifications recognized there and am in the process of applying for the appropriate visa. I am qualified to teach high school English, ESL, and Fine Arts, as well as elementary school. I will have 8 years teaching experience by the time I get there.
My questions are: Will I get daily casual teaching work while I'm waiting to get a permanent teaching gig? Is the job market highly competitive? It took me 3 years of casual teaching here to get a full time job; is it the same way there?
Anything else you think I need to know would be appreciated!
I currently live in Vancouver, Canada and I want to move to Sydney a) because my sister lives there and I miss her terribly, and b) because I truly love the city.
I have already filed to have my teaching qualifications recognized there and am in the process of applying for the appropriate visa. I am qualified to teach high school English, ESL, and Fine Arts, as well as elementary school. I will have 8 years teaching experience by the time I get there.
My questions are: Will I get daily casual teaching work while I'm waiting to get a permanent teaching gig? Is the job market highly competitive? It took me 3 years of casual teaching here to get a full time job; is it the same way there?
Anything else you think I need to know would be appreciated!
I can only speak to high school, for what it's worth.
Will I get daily casual teaching work while I'm waiting to get a permanent teaching gig?
Probably shouldn't be too hard. You will need a buffer of time before you pick up enough work, I think. It will be best if you have some contacts over here. FYI, right now is about the time private schools start advertising for (non-supply/relief) teachers in 2013, public schools advertise a little later.
Is the job market highly competitive?
Depends on what you mean. There is without doubt an oversupply of teachers in Sydney; however there is not an oversupply of teachers with 8 years experience. Also, this is really dependent on what you can teach. If you can only do physical education and grades 8-10, it will be tough. Humanities are not a whole lot better, to be honest. Maths and science, especially at a senior level, are in demand. Your 8 years will put you at a real advantage, I think.
It took me 3 years of casual teaching here to get a full time job; is it the same way there?
It really depends. Certainly, that wouldn't be uncommon at all, for a graduate, but you are not a graduate. Also, there's so many individual factors. If a principle likes you, if someone retires at a school you supply at, etc etc. I think it could take three years of supply; but I don't it necessarily will, and I'm not even sure if it's that likely. You are an experience teacher now. It's better for you.
Best of luck! Let us know when you get in and we'll organise a welcome meet-up!
posted by smoke at 6:39 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Will I get daily casual teaching work while I'm waiting to get a permanent teaching gig?
Probably shouldn't be too hard. You will need a buffer of time before you pick up enough work, I think. It will be best if you have some contacts over here. FYI, right now is about the time private schools start advertising for (non-supply/relief) teachers in 2013, public schools advertise a little later.
Is the job market highly competitive?
Depends on what you mean. There is without doubt an oversupply of teachers in Sydney; however there is not an oversupply of teachers with 8 years experience. Also, this is really dependent on what you can teach. If you can only do physical education and grades 8-10, it will be tough. Humanities are not a whole lot better, to be honest. Maths and science, especially at a senior level, are in demand. Your 8 years will put you at a real advantage, I think.
It took me 3 years of casual teaching here to get a full time job; is it the same way there?
It really depends. Certainly, that wouldn't be uncommon at all, for a graduate, but you are not a graduate. Also, there's so many individual factors. If a principle likes you, if someone retires at a school you supply at, etc etc. I think it could take three years of supply; but I don't it necessarily will, and I'm not even sure if it's that likely. You are an experience teacher now. It's better for you.
Best of luck! Let us know when you get in and we'll organise a welcome meet-up!
posted by smoke at 6:39 PM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Re: qualifications- you need 4 years of university to be a qualified teacher here (amongst other things, like evidence of supervision in your early stages). My husband is qualified in England but due to undertaking the GTP instead of the PGCE as a method of qualifying, he has to work under a special permit called 'permission to teach'. You don't want that. It's a huge PITA. Good luck.
posted by jojobobo at 8:48 PM on September 29, 2013
posted by jojobobo at 8:48 PM on September 29, 2013
Also- re: qualifications- you may find that combination is not accepted post middle years (year 8). In Australia senior years teachers specialize in 1
or 2 areas, not 3. The importance of this to the school will vary depending on how keen/desperate they are to hire you. It will not be a problem for primary (elementary) or most likely, middle years programs.
posted by jojobobo at 8:52 PM on September 29, 2013
or 2 areas, not 3. The importance of this to the school will vary depending on how keen/desperate they are to hire you. It will not be a problem for primary (elementary) or most likely, middle years programs.
posted by jojobobo at 8:52 PM on September 29, 2013
Unfortunately, there is an oversupply of teachers in the humanities (if you were a math/physics teacher, it would be a very different story!)
You'll need to leverage your experience to try and do it without years of casual teaching - it might be possible.
posted by Ashlyth at 11:07 PM on September 29, 2013
You'll need to leverage your experience to try and do it without years of casual teaching - it might be possible.
posted by Ashlyth at 11:07 PM on September 29, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for your input, everyone! It's good to know the reality of what I'm getting into.
posted by figaro at 9:36 PM on October 1, 2013
posted by figaro at 9:36 PM on October 1, 2013
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posted by bquarters at 2:05 PM on September 29, 2013