Things to Consider Before Moving to Australia to Teach

If you’re currently a teacher in the UK and are looking for your next career move, you may have already considered moving to Australia to teach. With great rates of pay, world-class teaching facilities and an excellent work life balance, the land down under is an attractive destination for those looking to live and work abroad. Before you book your plane tickets, there’s a few things you might want to think over to make sure this move is the right one for you.

Are you qualified for the jobs you’d want to apply for?

If you’re not qualified for the roles you’re wanting to apply for then you’re not going to be hired – it’s as simple as that! Finding out which qualifications are required takes a bit of research; check job postings to see the specific requirements for the positions you’d want to apply for and soon you’ll see patterns begin to emerge in the qualifications and experience that are required.

Will you be able to fund the move?

It’s all well and good deciding you want to move to Australia, but if you can’t fund your trip then this dream will never become a reality. You will need to ensure you have enough to cover flights, a deposit for accommodation and other start-up costs as you won’t be paid on arrival, but only after having worked a month or so. You don’t want to find yourself in an economically tricky situation when you’re far away from home.

Where will you be based?

One of the key things to consider is where you want to move to, particularly in a country as vast and diverse as Australia. Whilst one teaching job could take you to a school in the heart of a bustling city like Melbourne, another could see you working in a far more quiet, rural conditions. Which environment you choose is completely up to you, just make sure you do your research before committing to a lifestyle you may not enjoy.

Are you willing to undergo the visa application process?

The roles of Pre-primary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher Secondary School Teacher are all on the Skilled Occupations list, meaning you can apply for a Skilled Migration Visa. In order to apply, you must have obtained a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority and meet some basic requirements, such as having completed at least 6 weeks of supervised teaching practice. However, the application process can be lengthy, so make sure you give yourself enough time to apply.

Want more information or to search for teaching jobs in Australia? Visit smartteachers.co.uk