PoshPom

I got into oz with my 3 year BA QTS qualification by applying as a vocational teacher but its 10 points less or it was when I applied for a visa in 2005. Vettasses assess that qualification and not NOOSR the educational section. It doesnt mean you have to work as a vocational teacher once here.

I have been in contact with Queensland College of Teachers and they are quite helpful and reply to emails and even phone back if you have a query. However, I am in oz now so much easier. I sent my application off to them plus the $209 registration fee back in Jan and have not heard back from them. They said that because it is a 3 year and not 4 year degree then its harder to assess and will take longer. I would just love them to say yes or no and then get on to the next possibility of being able to teach. Simon and Kate's threads are great and its because of those that I've got my arse into gear and have aplied. Read everthing they have written and that's still the state of play here...nothing's changed. Queensland is very fussy and paperwork and jumping through hoops unbelivable. I have heard other states are more relaxed. There are no teaching jobs on the gold coast at the moment unless anyone reading this can point me in the right direction if I ever get to register. I worrry I am going to lose the knack of teaching or become out of the loop but its whether you want to live in oz or to teach!!!

martinibops

It was Kate's thread that I read and realised there was a problem with the three year route. I find the whole thing very frustrating, this route was devised for those already working in primary schools (I was a TA) and surely working full time in that environment and studying for a degree (same amount of work as the 4 year route) equates to the same. I am actually looking at teaching in Perth. My husband has finally convinced me to give Aus a try and then I find out after all that soul searching that I will not be able to do the job I love. Do we know if Kate ever was able to get through on her degree?:curse:

GillyG

Yep think she did! Lucky little thing

PoshPom

In queensland they dont agree that our 3yr degree is the same amount of work as their 4yr degree. We do more teaching practice but they go on a points system which surprise surprise isn't the same as our uni points. I have my NNEB and my teaching degree, taught or cared for children since leaving school, been teching for 7yrs, am now 40!!! and they still dont think its enough! Like I said its whether you want to live in oz so much that you might have to re train once here or give up on the idea. There are other threads on this site and someone somewhere!!!! applied, told they had to cover 6 modules, did a couple and then they let her teach. Think its all to do with which state you land in!! And don't forget that if you register in one state you're not registered in any other!

Its all fun and just another challenge to add to the spice of life! I'm here on my own and how the mighty have fallen from being a teacher to group leader in a child care centre to now being an assistant because I'm doing relief work and need the money so will do anything!! I'll get there in the end though!

martinibops

I have received a reply from Teaching Australia to say that is I can provide evidence that my three year is the same as the 4 then they will consider it. I have also e-mailed Teaching WA as I am looking to go to Perth. I'll have to wait and see what they say. Frustrating isn't it? especially after all the work we've takn in the UK to get our qualifications.

PoshPom

If you manage to prove that 3yrs is the same as 4yrs let me know how you do it because they have my module, syllabus, CATS points awards, all 3yrs worth of grades, teaching practice hours etc! If you look on their uni sites to see what their 4yr degree involves then you'll see why ours isn't equivalent. I've tried explaining that our terms are longer but its down to paperwork and proof! When I did ask if anyone with a 3yr degree had been accepted they said only a couple!

And don't forget that when Aussie teachers come to the UK with their 4yr degrees they can teach but on unqualified pay unless they have a great school that will see them through a NQT year. Tit for tat I reckon!! Good luck and if WA are anything like QLD, don't hold your breath for an instant reply!!!!!!

PoshPom

It can be done!!!
I am now registered to teach in Queensland on condition I do another year of degree level study but I can complete that over a 4yr period, distance learning if I want to, but teach at the same time
I had 7yrs of teaching experience in the UK but Heather Shaw the lovely lady at the Queensland College of Teachers said they assessed my application and based their results on my excellent references!! To me they were pretty bog standard but who am I to argue I even included a reference from my uni that is only really used as a first appointment ref but I had kept it and thought no harm can be done by including it.
If you have a 3yr BA teaching degree they usually like you to have 10yrs experience before assessing you but its always worth a try and they are very helpful.
Good luck everyone.

GillyG

Well done, that's great news! I have a 3 year BA (hons) in primary education and teaching specialising in the advanced study of early years and also studied the NNEB (diploma in nursery nursing, 2 years full time at college)) but only have 1 year of teaching experience (my NQT year)...from your experience I will have to do another year at uni before I can register with QCT/Teaching Australia?

PoshPom

It still amazes me that someone with an English or history or 'subject' degree and only a 1yr PGCE degree and no experience can be registered here easy as, but someone with a 3yr BA teaching degree who really wants to teach has to struggle to get recognised here. I've been told because of my experience I can do a year study in anything I want, so basically I'm just satisfying their red tape demands. If you can do another yr of degree level study and you're def coming here then I would. I see you are living in France...that still so? How about a distance learning degree course in French? Or just look for something you would really like to do.? I'm going to do study related to teaching as I can't really see the point in doing a random degree! Funny thing is is that I wont complete an actual degree in a year so essentially its a waste of time and money...very expensive here too.

If all else fails you still have your NNEB and that is what I've been using to work in child care centres. You could work in the PrePrep room but for half the money and a third of the holidays and double the work!
Good luck.

beebopaloola

at least you are with children!! i am not being sarky, just venting...i applied for a job in childcare as i could not get the teaching route and was told i did not have any qualifications (BA primary Ed did not count) as i had no NNEB, So i am in bank, working as a teller.
I was told it would be so easy to transfer to Australia and all quals would be recognised, not so in QLD, i too would have to complete a further 1 year course which is all well and good, if you have the spare cash to go to uni and pay the mortgage... hey ho, life is not so bad but definatley missing the classroom

Jen1977ni

Missing the classroom? How long were you teaching before moving to Oz, obviously not long enough! (joke) I've been teaching for 9 years now and we finish for the summer hols next week here in Northern Ireland, ROLL ON! I have had my fill for this year! lol

Also moving to Oz to teach, when they eventually let me in, hopefully it'll be a breath of fresh air....I've heard it's much more relaxed than the UK, so if nothing else, that'll be good! lol

Jen1977ni

Can I just add in defence of my 'having had my fill' that I am a composite class teacher so have therefore had the same class for the past two years, and they are the worst class I've ever taught! VALIUM PLEASE!!!!

PoshPom

I miss being in the classroom too! Cant believe I'd ever say that as I try to convince people I hate children but shhh...I love the job.

Just a little update. Went to Griffith Uni here on the Gold Coast and found out that it's going to cost just over $4000 to do a year of study and of course wont come out with a degree because you can't do a degree in a year! Really frustrating but I suppose light at the end of the tunnel.

I went to a school to register as a relief worker and got asked for my Queensland Gov ID number. 'What's that?' I asked. 'Oh you can't teach in a state school unless you have that!!' Hadn't read or been told this rather important piece of info So now I have to send a 9page application to the Gov, along with ALL of the identical docs I sent to Qld College of Teachers to get registered in the first place I will get there...I will I will I will