Reflect | Learn | Grow

Teaching in Australia: a plus for the adventurous

A Briton’s view on teaching in Australia

Published March 2023

Australia is a fascinating country with awe-inspiring landscapes, unique and endemic species, ancient cultures modern cities, stable economy, and an education system that's as unique as the country is.

For new and experienced teachers, a job in Australia is a career and life opportunity, not to be missed. Working abroad is a great thing for most careers, doing it in far-away Australia adds unparalleled family and lifestyle dimensions.

School year

The school year starts in January, which aligns with the calendar year and makes you feel like the whole world is starting afresh with you—a wonderful sense of renewal. The year-end holidays are in December and aligns perfectly with the festive transition to the new year.

Stages

The Australian stages system allows for a lot of teacher and school flexibility in how the curriculum is taught. The compulsory units within each stage can be taught in any order or combination within or across each year group.

Each subject also has characteristic quirks within each stage. Science students, for example, must do a ‘student research project’ (SRP). Recently, one of my students attempted to prove scientifically the best popcorn brand to buy!

Assessments

No more teaching to test! There is only one external assessment to mark the end of senior school. That means all assessments before then are designed and driven by the school. The curriculum also includes assessment samples. It is so empowering to be able to design bespoke, differentiated assessments that align with the ethos of the school.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests students on reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy annually across all schools.

Student outcomes

Most universities have flexible entry requirements dictated by students' rank in the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank – ATAR system that ranks all final year students.

Higher ATAR ranks are required for competitive university courses such as Medicine. ATAR ranks are the main determinant for admissions, giving students greater flexibility in choosing university courses.

Pay and conditions

Pay and conditions are transparent, linked to experience and starting qualification. Australian teachers are paid relatively more compared to other OECD economies. This is especially true for early career teachers.

Although the starting and standard pay is relatively high, pay on the promotional scale is limited. Whilst the pay is not fantastic relative to other professions, overall quality of life is generally high in Australia. And the weather, beaches, culture, and travel opportunities are all positives.

Teacher qualifications

All Australian teachers must be accredited. Each state has its own regulatory body. For example, in NSW, a teacher must submit a portfolio and achieve "proficient status" within 2–5 years post qualification or within 5 years of commencing teaching in Australia regardless of experience elsewhere.

Immigration and visas

Australian visa options and requirements are documented on government websites. The best option is to obtain a permanent resident visa which grants rights similar to Australian citizens with minor exceptions such as voting and the ability to work in certain government jobs.

University students on permanent resident visas also get access to subsidised fees as citizens do. Whilst the permanent resident visa offers the best route to working in Australia, various other visa options are introduced from time to time and detailed on the government website. The permanent resident visa also offers a clear route to obtaining citizenship.