lisa-smith

I have a degree in a science subject and am interested in becoming a secondary school teacher.

Does anybody know - if I were to do the equivalent of a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at an Australian University, would this qualify me to apply for a Skilled Independent visa on successful completion of the course?

Tiggs+Graz

The oz equivalent of the PGCE is a Graduate Diploma in Education.
These can be a bit tricky to get onto as australian undergraduate degree courses usually cover two subjects (a major and a minor). Most Graduate Diploma courses expect you to have covered two subjects to degree level so with the usual one subject uk degree you may need to have your degree assessed by the oz uni before they would accept you on the course.
Talking to more than one uni might help.

In addition to this the australian states each have different requirements for teachers (for both your original degree and also for your graduate diploma) so for example just because you qualify in Victoria does not necessarily mean you can teach in NSW. This is an added complication if you have a uk degree as you would probably need you degree reassessed as suitable by the education department of a state before you could work as a teacher there (even if you get your diploma from a university in THAT state).

Does that make sense?!
I have been trying to get my head around this for several months!

You could also try posting this in the Teachers section of the Moving Abroad by Profession board.
Sorry i cant help on the visa question - you could try the Immigration board!

Adele

JAJ

Why not do a PGCE in the UK? PGCE is recognised generally in Australia, however other teacher training routes (eg GTP) are not. So be careful.

freckles1970

I also think from a financial point that is it would be more sensible to do it hear, that is what I did. I was in Oz on a working holiday visa 5 years ago and looked into it. It took 2 years to complete (only one year hear) and would cost between $20 and 30k. In the uk currently the fees are paid by the government, you are also entitled to a monthy income of approx £700 per month if your subject is classed as in shortage.

As it is recognised in OZ as a teaching qualification, it makes sense to save the cash!

Tiggs+Graz

Fees for university courses in the uk are no longer paid by the government - at the present time expect to pay up to £3000 per year for your university course.
Studying for a pgce you do get a Higher Education Maintenance grant of £1200 per year (with additional means tested amounts if you qualify). But even if you take the max figure it doesnt come out anywhere like £700 a month - unless you know something i dont?!

I think your fees for oz uni are too high as well - the courses i have been looking at are more like around AU$13000.
Also i think the diploma in secondary is a one year course? could be wrong on that as i have mainly been looking at primary which IS 2 years.

freckles1970

Fees are still paid by the government if you are in a shortage subject. There is currently £9000 available in total for the year to cover fees and montly income for science or technology specialists.

The 2 year was for secondary, particularly if you had not studied a second subject as an undergraduate.

Hope this helps

Regards

freckles1970

Forgot to say, this is for the post graduate route only.

Tiggs+Graz

do you have a link to this info?
Thanks

freckles1970

Hope this helps...this is the blurb from one website, you can also refer to info on the TDA website (uk government teacher training website) .

http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/advice...nce130306.aspx

The value of which will depend on the subject you are training to teach. If you are starting your PGCE course in September 2006:

£9,000 (£225 a week) for trainees in secondary mathematics; science; English (including drama); modern languages and religious education

£6,000 (£150 a week) for trainees in all other subjects

To receive the bursary you must complete the bank account details form, which will be given to you by the School of Education when you arrive to start your course. You should return the completed form immediately to the PGCE administrator at the School, who will then pass the form on to the Student Funding Office for processing. Payments will be made to your bank account by the Payroll Section of the Finance Office. The first payment is normally made in October. If you change your bank account, you must let the Payroll Section know at once.