Teaching in Melbourne
 

Hi there. We have decided that the place my boyfriend and I would like to settle is Melbourne, Australia. It looks so very us. However, I wouldn't go there without the guarantee of a teaching job so where would be the best place to start looking? I looked on the TES but there didn't seem to be anywhere in Australia. My specialism is modern foreign languages, teaching French and German, and I have 5 years teaching experience (age 4-7). I have organised many international projects with our school and taken children abroad so I feel I have a lot to offer a school in taking it forward.

I would so appreciate some help in where to start looking. My boyfriend and I would like to go for a 'reccie' next year (after we've raised funds) so I could maybe speak to prospective employers then?

Many thanks! x

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

So are you Secondary trained, but teaching Primary?

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Try the following link. It amy help.

http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/

Nx

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Welcome!

Melbourne is a truly awesome city. I moved here from Brisbane in January and I am falling more and more in love with it everyday. It rocks!

First off, have you checked that your qualifications in the UK meet the requirements for immigration? I'm assuming you've checked on www.immi.gov.au and know which Visa you'll apply for? The next step is to check out http://www.teachingaustralia.edu.au/ta/go/home/pid/418 - this is where the skills assessment for teachers are conducted.

Like with most things these days, I'm not sure you could move here and be 'guaranteed' a teaching job. I'm primary trained and thought it would be much easier than it is in reality. It's all about making contacts here and getting in with the schools. I hate to say it but it really is a case of 'who' and not 'what' you know in many instances :-(

There are however, a few things in your favour. You have teaching experience, and Melbourne is a massive city and so there are hundreds of schools. You also have a speciality! Are you qualified to teach French and German right through to upper primary or high school level? If you are, that will increase your job chances greatly as most schools here don't start their LOTE programme until mid-upper primary. What is different from the UK though is that not as many schools have French and German as their taught language... with the social and cultural make-up of Australia, schools try to keep the language taught as close to the local cultural make-up as possible. That means there are a lot of schools that teach Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese languages and often also Vietnamese. Saying that, I have seen a few adds lately for German teachers.

Teaching languages to lower Primary, your best luck might be in the private school sector. Melbourne has a LOT of private schools, and I think these are the schools most likely to implement language programmes for the 'littlies' as they call them here :-)

For jobs in the Private and Independent sectors, look at http://www.independentschools.com.au/.

For State Schools, all jobs are advertised under: https://schooljobs.education.vic.gov...RAM.HRS_CE.GBL

Good luck and if you have any more questions, feel free to PM me :)

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Thank you so much for all your comments. It was particularly lovely to hear from someone teaching in Melbourne, Tieve, and I will definitely take you up on that PM offer.

I did a languages degree but then a PGCE so my specialism is ages 4 to 7, but I am trained to teach any primary and secondary children and can teach languages to all ages, even adults! I would like to stick with the 'littlies' if at all possible so I'm thinking maybe the independant schools are a way to go (so long as they're not too stuffy like they are here as that is definitely not my style - I'm a firm believer that children learn through play and having fun). In England, we don't have to learn a language until the children are 7 (and that's only legal in 2010!) but I have implemented a programme in school where we start at 3 (using finger rhymes, songs etc) and the parents are amazed to hear their children coming home speaking French! This is when they truly absorb languages. You can tell I feel strongly about this!

I wouldn't want to move without having a job so we're coming for a 'reccie' sometime next year where I hope to make lots of contacts. In the meantime I will note the links and maybe get in touch with a few places for advice. Thank you so much for taking the time to get back to me!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

I'm also out here teaching in Melbourne and I absolutly love it, it's a great city and I'm sure you'd love living here.

It is incredibly rare to get offered a job before you make the move, those teachers that do get job offers in advance are almost all in shortage subjects like secondary science or maths and the job offers tend to be from private schools.

Being a primary teacher I doubt you'd be able to get a job from overseas, you'll either have to take the plunge without a job or give up on the idea of moving. Sorry if that's blunt but it is the way it is.

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

That's fine - I appreciate your honesty, but I will try and see what happens.

Just looking into visas, and it seems that the 'skilled worker' visa is the right one. I was shocked that it's over £1000 though, is that correct? As for my partner, if I added him on the same visa would that be another £1000? We've lived together for 8 years.

It just seems like a huge amount on top of flights over there and the cost of moving. Wondering if we can afford it. :( Maybe our only hope is to be sponsored somehow?!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Even if you're sponsored, you still have to pay for the visa! I guess they make it so expensive to sort the wheat from the chaff, find out whose serious about the move, and will stop at nothing to do it....

I couldn't particularly afford it either, so got a credit card especially for all of this Aussie stuff, which I intend to pay off with some of the equity from the sale of my house, when it's actually worth something that is! :p

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Hi,
Only the main applicant pays for the visa. The other people named on the visa are included in the fee. So it will be about £1000 for the visa overall. But I agree, the costs are staggering when you include your Teaching Australia skills assessment, getting copies certified and medicals/police checks.

Good luck,

Will

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Ok...so how much does that cost? I didn't know you had to do a Teaching Australia skills assessment - what does that entail? Could you tell me the full costs for myself and partner?

After our initial excitement we're becoming a little despondent. My partner has been ill for a while and hasn't been able to work, so we have no savings. Our parents are pensioners so can only help a little bit. The credit card thing may work but we don't own a home. Argh!

We can't give up now though. Am I right in thinking it takes about 2 years to get the Visa? I'm starting to think we might have to rethink and emigrate somewhere else. :(

I do appreciate all of your help, even if I sound a little down!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Skills assessment is $450 which converted to £226 when I did it in dec/jan. After the application goes in there are additional costs of a few hundred quid for medicals and police checks, so far I've paid well in excess of £1500 and that's before the meds! Was ur teaching degree 3 or 4 years?

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

The reason I ask is because some people have had trouble having their three year teaching degrees recognized by Teaching Australia, they're the assessing body if u want to google their website...

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

I did a Languages degree (French, German and Linguistics) for 4 years and a PGCE specialising in Early Years/KS1 for one year (hence a whole lot of student debt still!) I am in my 5th year of teaching, beginning a temporary management post in September.

I can see I'm going to have to save lots! How long has the whole process taken for you? What checks would my partner have to do. He is just recovered from M.E. - hope this wouldn't go against him.

I really do appreciate the advice!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

My process is still ongoing and could take up to 3 years as primary isn't in demand! Where ur partners condition is concerned, ud be better seeking advice from a MARA registered agent, every case is different and as I'm no expert, medical or otherwise, I'd be in no position to advise, sorry.

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Agreed, post on the main forum asking which agent has an expertise with medical conditions.

Good luck,
Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

BOO! :p

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

YHPM

Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Guys,

Looking a bit down the road but in addition to applying to private school have thought of using a recruitment agnecy. Any recommendations?

Bezza

p.s. what does YHPM mean?

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

"you have PM"

been on here too much:D

Not thought of an agency but I'd say that I am probably looking at private myself. We're off to Adelaide if the visa ever comes although Vic SS is available now for me so that's been on my mind. Not sure I could cope with with all the choice of where to live as it's so big.

Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Folks,

Just want to share the good news that Vic SS came through today.:D:D:D

Doing it all a bit backwards to so Teaching Australia goes off early next week and hopefully .....

Reccie to Melbourne this summer - any suggestion re laying the foundation for employment in due course.:confused:

Bezza

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Congratulations:thumbsup:

Have to say that Vic SS has crossed our minds now maths is on.

Good luck,
Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

What's Vic SS? Sorry to be thick.

Very concerned about the amount of money we'll have to pay. We may have to look elsewhere I think. It's gutting though as our hearts were set on Melbourne!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

SS = State Sponsored = quicker processing processing and fewer points required.

Bezza

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Thanks for that. How do you go about being 'state sponsored'? If we decide on Australia, it would definitely be Melbourne, hence Victoria.

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Tillybud,

Just to add some flesh to the bones.

To get into Oz sooner rather than later there are two things that help: a State that is willing to sponsor your application and a job on the DIMA Critical Skills List (CSL).

We have just got the sponsorship for Secondary Teaching IT/Manual Arts in Victoria. :) Better still Secondary Teacher is on the CSL at present. :D

Our problem might be that by the time Teach Australia check my quals. and we get back from our reccie the CSL may have changed! :(

Lots of States do sponsor but then you have a moral obligation to spend two years in that state. Luckily we wnt to live in Victoria. From memory Qld, NT and ACT were our other options for me as a secondary teacher. SA were able to offer temp. residence leading to a permanernt visa although this might all have changed.


Bezza

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

How long is SS valid for? You won't need to worry about the CSL if you're SS is still vaild. Obviously, if you want the freedom, then you may prefer not to have SS, but it's a lot better than those who cannot get SS, ENS or on the CSL.

TBH although we lodged 176 (family) March 6th, we have considered SS with Vic but that would only be if there is a problem getting our visa with CSL - keeping an eye on the CSL tracker and BE update.

Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Hi Cooler,

SS valid for 6 months so we have until 20th Nov to get the 176 lodged. Should be fine. :)

Am I mistaken that SS and CSL is better than just SS? :confused:

I thought this because on the processing update it reads:

Priority Processing - Change From 1 January 2009

Following recent announcements by the Minister for Immigration and
Citizenship, in response to the current global economic environment,
processing of General Skilled Migration applications gives first priority
to applications in the following two categories:
1. Applications with a successful State or Territory Nomination; and
2. Applications where the nominated occupation is identified on the
Critical Skills List (CSL).

Although the next para suggests one criteria is good enough. :confused:


Bezza

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

I think SS alone is adequate as they guarantee a CO within 10 days of receiving SS. As often seems the case, the phrasing is is not tight. It should read that only groups one and two get looked at, currently.

You've got worries once you get a positive back from TA - good luck.

We lodged 6th March and got meds done 7April but we have only gone for 176 (family) but the concern would be that secondary teacher comes off the CSL before we get the visa. I wouldn't think they'd change that at least until the end of this processing program. Or, they fill the 108k places so we don't get a look in until they start the next one and apparently, they have a break so no processing gets done at the start:frown:

Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Trying to watch my beloved Clarets play Seff Utd but soooooooo nervous have had to read Brit Expats.

How sad am I?

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

SS sounds like it would be good for us, as we had our hearts settled on Victoria. Where would I go to to request state sponsoring from them - is it the [email protected] address?

I did my points score and at the moment it's 125 (will be 120 in 2 years when I reach 30!). I guess that's encouraging. So it would be the Skilled - Independant - Migrant Visa (subclass 175) I guess. Would it be this one if I wanted to take my partner of 8 years too? Would he be included on this?

This is probably a stupid question but if one visa gets declined do you have to pay all that money again to reapply? I just don't know where they expect people to find all this money from.

I hope everything works out for you guys, and I really appreciate your advice.

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Tillybud,

Look at the Live in Victoria website. The site has lots of good info but the key is to have a job on their 'wanted' or in demand list. At the moment the list states : :)

2413–11 Secondary School Teacher Must have at least one of the following specialisations:
• Mathematics
• Technology (Metal, Wood or Automotive)
• LOTE (Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, German or French)

The website address for this document is http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au...6-15052009.pdf

Just delete everything after au/ to get the home page. :)

The application form etc is all there. Unlike some other states they nominate you based on your registatregistrationT not your Teach Australia skill accreditation -which is our next step.

The subclass you apply for 176 which in effect is no different to a 175 except you have a lower pass mark, priority processing but an obligation to live in Vic for two years

Payment for your visa is in two stages. The first stage needs skill accrediaaccreditationyou apply so don't ignore the hidden costs. No obvious money back scenario as far as I know but others may well help there.

Thanks for the kind words. We have lived and worked there (Gold Coast) and know its isn't utopia. :D

As my late uncle said, whilst basking in the Newcastle (NSW) sun - this is the difference. Same bucket but a tad shinier!

Bezza

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Tillybud, the issue will be how your PGCE is assessed, I think Teaching Australia would say you are a Primary school teacher. However, with Vic, you don't need assessing first (bezzanbob) so that may help. I have read that on BE that Vic can be fickle, as in all other states just say yes if you fulfill criteria but they can say no. There is a post from software guy on the immi section with 20 yrs exp who was declined even though he passed everything. This can be helpful to you if they don't get many applicants.

Very best of luck and keep us all updated,
Cooler

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Thanks so much for your advice - I looked at the website and on their skilled sponsored 176 list it didn't include primary teachers - I guess I wouldn't be able to get there that way then? Though I could be a pre-primary teacher - I currently teach 4-5 year olds (trained in 3 to 7 at PGCE, though qualified to teach any age) and have extensive knowledge and training in the birth to five years old document. It's also encouraging to know that languages are in demand in secondary - could help my position too!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

I was assessed as pre primary and primary but because I hadn't taught children from birth up, I was told tough! Part of their teacher training in Oz involves a component of their degree covering from 0 up, the lowest age I've taught in the uk has been Nursery!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

That's mad! So you're meant to have taught babies?! :huh:

I can understand what they mean - I've had training in the new birth to five document as I teach reception and we assess now according to these criteria. I would have presumed this would be enough to teach pre-primary. I see myself as very much an early-years practitioner (although I have taught Year 2 as well) and it would be great shame not to be able to. I wonder if I volunteered at a private nursery over the Summer, this may help my claim?!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

I was told that unless I'd had long day care experience, at least a years experience of, then sorry... I actually rang and spoke to a girl who told me that, I tried to argue my point but she was having none of it! :(

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Ive 9 years experience from 3 right up to 8 year olds, though predominantly, over the past few years my experience lies in Upper Key Stage 1. During my 4 year BEd training most of the focus was on the early years with a major part of my degree then homing in on under fives. When I phoned one of the states who were sponsoring Pre-Primary Teachers as I said previous (I was typing it from my iphone, thus it being short and sweet) I was told that that was all well and good, but unless I'd had a substantial part of my recent experience (as in the required 12 out of the last 24 months) working with children aged 0 up, then I was not what they were looking for, even if I had been assessed by Teaching Australia as a Pre-Primary and Primary teacher. Also because my 'under fives' training and my Nursery experience was so many years ago, it didn't count for anything, it has to be recent. I know this is not what you want to hear, but I'm just being honest Tillybud...

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

Folks,

Coming over for a while in August.

Not a validation trip - yet!

We have some contacts in schools already but does anybody have any other advice on what we could/should do to enhance our prospects of employment?

Bezza

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

From what I've been told, unless you have PR (ie your visa) you won't be taken seriously when job hunting...the person who told me that may well be wrong but I thought I'd let you know regardless!

Re: Teaching in Melbourne
 

my wife and i are both teachers and will be arriving in 2 weeks..soooo excited...:D we are not looking to start work straight away but I have started to look at temp / perm teaching jobs and have come across 2 agency...Sanza and ANZUK....anyone know anything about them or can recommend which one is best ?

cheers

See you soon