Teaching in Australia

[HappySparrow]

My husband and I are considering the move from UK to Australia. There are many reasons for us wanting to make the move, but the main one if to be near family. My brother lives in Sydney and is encouraging us to move out that side. He's been very happy since leaving the UK 3 years ago. My concern is that I have read that teaching is over-subscribed in the big cities. We are only really interested in living in Perth or Sydney (happy to live on the outskirts of either) as that is where we have family. My husband is a secondary Science teacher and I am a Primary School teacher. I have looked at Seek and seen lots of teaching jobs, so am just curious if anyone knows how likely it is to actually get a teaching job in either of these areas. While we'd absolutely love to make the move as we have no family here, it seems like a big gamble to pay all that money for visas only to find we are unemployable there. We also have a 3 year old due to start school in September so not keen on working out in a rural area first (as I have seen other do). 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

 

[Quoll]

Secondary Science is more in demand than primary so he is more likely to get a job, but, even so, might have to take a hardship posting in the first instance before picking up a plum job.  Primary - think about a career change if you dont want to spend a lifetime doing relief or short contracts.  NSW is one of the states which still adheres to its points allocation for plum positions and they do give preference to people who have done time out West or other regional areas.  Living in Sydney on a  couple of teacher salaries might be a bit pinched.  Dont be misled by the job adverts, they are usually already "filled" when they advertise. If you do decide to do it, take career breaks from your current positions just to see how it floats your boat, rent out the house and suck it and see.

[starlight7]

Private schools are possibly a better bet than state schools.  Primary- I wouldn't think so unless you go a long way out into the country.

[HappySparrow]

On 02/08/2018 at 22:11, Quoll said:

Secondary Science is more in demand than primary so he is more likely to get a job, but, even so, might have to take a hardship posting in the first instance before picking up a plum job.  Primary - think about a career change if you dont want to spend a lifetime doing relief or short contracts.  NSW is one of the states which still adheres to its points allocation for plum positions and they do give preference to people who have done time out West or other regional areas.  Living in Sydney on a  couple of teacher salaries might be a bit pinched.  Dont be misled by the job adverts, they are usually already "filled" when they advertise. If you do decide to do it, take career breaks from your current positions just to see how it floats your boat, rent out the house and suck it and see.

Thanks. I think I'd be happy for a career break while my husband would look for a teaching post. We rent here and the cost of the move would mean it'd be a once off no-going-back kind of decision for us. You've given us lots to think about. 

[HappySparrow]

10 hours ago, starlight7 said:

Private schools are possibly a better bet than state schools.  Primary- I wouldn't think so unless you go a long way out into the country.

Thanks. I'll look into that. I think it looks like I'd need to take a career break, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for me. 

[Alltogethernow]

I can only speak for Victoria and the region we are in.

But there is loads of work here for a Primary Teacher where we are. My wife's phone hadn't stopped ringing for 'Casual Relief Teaching' - she could have done it for as long as she wanted - but there are downsides (short notice to where you are going etc, we have 3 kids so it stressful). CRT pay circa 300 - 350 AUD a day. She now has secured a full time permanent post 15 mins from home. She's earning just under AUD 100k (AUD 99,518). This is due to rise to AUD 110 k in the next two years. She has 10 years experience.

Payscales (she's 2-6): https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Documents/Salary-Teacher.pdf

PM me Happy Sparrow if you need any further info. We know loads of secondary teachers too. All working and all busy.

ATN

[Cleowag]

Hi, we are in Perth and here is the same as the above poster has stated.

My hubby is a primary teacher and has never been short of relief work for the three years we’ve been here.

As others have said, job advertisements don’t mean much. The best way to get a foot in the door for a teaching job is to get known at a school for relief work and then offers of contracts tend to follow. This is how my hubby got a contract in the end. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know! So if you can manage the uncertainty I’d say you’ll be fine. The pay is very good for relief too, $400 per day.

Good luck!