MR1729

Hi everyone,

First time posting here. I’m in my 40s and a lawyer looking to become a teacher. I have a Maths degree so would probably teach that. I don’t have a PGCE or other teaching qualification but have tutored and taught maths sciences and other subjects before and worked with kids before my legal career.

What is the quickest and/or cheapest way to qualify? Would be teaching in Hobart, Tassie or nearby

I know maths teachers (and probably make teachers generally) are in demand and that there are grants etc, but wondering if I’d be eligible? I have a family and can’t afford to just study for a year or two without income.

Any tips or advice welcome!

-Mike

Pollyana

I think your best route would be a consultation with a registered agent, fairly quickly, as your age is against you for one thing.

You say "in your 40s" - unless you are in your very early 40s you are unlikely to be able to get Permanent Residency as a teacher, as the age cut off is 45. A 4 year course (which ís whats needed to get PR) would be hard to complete within the time; the other route could be your Maths degree with you then studying for a PGCE. I don't know how much practical experience they would require afterwards before you were able to pass a skills assessment these days.

It might be possible though for you to get PR on the back of your job as a lawyer, for that I suggest you talk to an agent about specific requirements, with the possibility of training as a teacher once in Australia. However, the cut-off again is 45 to get PR. You could then study for a 4 year teaching degree in Aus.

And even if you could get in under the age bar, Australia is not cheap these days. If you were studying full time, you would need some serious savings to live on, or for your wife/partner to have a very good income. However, thats irrelevant if you can't get past the age thing.

Not wishing to put a downer on things, & sorry its not more positive, but its best to be realistic from the start.

quoll

Your visa is going to be the biggest hurdle, as Polly has said. If you can get a visa as a lawyer then do that because you would have to do a PGCE which would be a year of full time study at the very least - and you would definitely have to study for at least a year without income and who knows whether you would be competitive even then. Be careful about the Learn on the Job offers that you get in UK, they arent accepted as teaching qualifications here in Australia - you need the fourth year in University and a PGCE which would top up your Maths degree. Once you are here as a lawyer you could do your PGCE here but it wont be cheap and it is a full time course. The fact that you have tutored in the past is irrelevant to the box tickers I am afraid.