i just wanted some advice please if any one can help? I've just qualified as a primary school teacher here in UK and am hoping to move to Brisbane next summer. I know i can't teach in Aus. coz I've only done the three year degree and i'd have to have a four year degree but would I be able to teach in a TAFE? I used to be a hairdresser before i went to uni and was hoping to teach hairdressing in a TAFE. I'm doing supply in a FE college here, starting in Sept. teaching hairdressing and Key skills so was hoping i might be able to do the same in Aus. can any one give me any help in this area? Thanks, Babs.

Hi. I work for Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, (BNIT) check their website: http://bn.tafe.qld.gov.au They have a few campuses and hairdressing is taught at Caboolture. I know the lady who runs the courses there and a few months back was looking for hairdressing tutors.

Some advice about TAFEs:
You will be very lucky to be offered a full time permanent job when you apply so be prepared to take casual work. If you can be flexible and the students like you more work will come your way.
Do a search for all the TAFEs in your chosen area. Find out the name of the Operation Manager who looks after that curriculum. Send speculative resumes and then follow this up with a phone call saying you are in the area and can you chat about possible part time teaching vaccancies.

You will need a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (the equivalent of the old D32 D33). You may have to fund this yourself or the TAFE may pay for it (they paid for mine); and it is possible to get work without this BUT you will be expected to get the qualification if you want to continue to teach.

I spent 10 years working in colleges in the UK. I am lucky because I really enjoy my work, and BNIT is miles better than any UK college I have worked for. Although I am classed as part time casual I earn quite a bit as the hourly rate is good. I have just recently been put on a full time fixed term contract. I also do some work for Queensland University of Technology.

Good luck. Any further questions just ask.

thank you so much for your posting, that is really good information and i feel a bit better about the situation now. I can be flexible and casual work wouldn't worry me so it will be good to be ready for that aspect rather than thinking i will be full/ part time only. I'm off to have a good look at the website,Cheers, Babs.

Hi Babsw,

Sorry, I can't offer any advice re: TAFE's, but I am interested in what you say about the 3 year degree issue. Is this something that you had confirmed by Teach Australia? My partner is in the same posistion, I have emailled them to query this but can't rest at the moment as this has come as a big blow...

Have you written off being able to teach primary all together then? Is there no courses you can do whilst in Aus to get round this?

(I have a thread regarding this here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466301)

Cheers for any advice you can offer...

Hi, my info came from Adelaide, Flinders uni but I've seen since that it applies through Aus. but yes you can take extra courses when you are in Aus. to make up the difference. I haven't gone into all this yet as we are hoping to move to Brisbane and I need to get in touch with Brisbane teaching people to find out what to do, so no I haven't given up but it will be more difficult than I first thought. Luckily for me we are not going out on my job so in that sense it's not as big a worry as i will have time to sort this.I hope!!! Thanks for the link, I'll have a look at that now.Babs.

Cheers Babs,

I got a reply from TA, see the link above for their response...

that was really interesting, so if Kate was to take an open university course at the higher level ( for one year) would that be acceptable for her to be able to teach in Aus? And that would also apply to me. I think I will wait to see if we get the visa and then look into doing that in Aus. or see what other courses there are available in Aus. and then from my point of view it would give me some experience of the Aus. system as well but for Kate if she were able to complete this one year before you go,it would mean she could start straight way if she had that year behind her.
Please don't anyone shoot me down in flames if the OU course is not the correct way to go as it was just a suggestion but your replies show that it can be done (to still teach) if you have got the three year degree with QTS! Thanbks for the info and good luck with finding a course! Babs.

I've had another reply, I'll post it at the link above again.

So from what I can make out as long as your qualified to teach (except GTP), and have 4 years of university education, your OK.

So if Kate did a one 1 year degree in "cow farming" - she'd be ok.

The question is now, what 1 year courses are available? I'd be careful with the OU option, as (and I'm not sure if this is true), the 1 year must be full time. So if OU is seen as part time, it's no good...

I think are best option would be for Kate to do a masters of some sort...

We just need to work out how feasible financially this is.

Message for the woodcutter

I am a fully qualified secondary teacher in the UK and have already had approval of my qualifications from teach australia. I currently teach A level and BTEC courses in fashion, pattern cutting, art and tailoring/draping.

I would actually prefer to work in a Tafe rather than a secondary school when I get to OZ.

Can you advise if these subjects are currently taught in colleges and do you think I would have to do the extra qualification or would my PGCE (post graduate certificate in education) be sufficient?

Any help woudl be great

Hi,
TAFE colleges are vocational colleges. Suggest you do a google search for TAFE colleges in the area that you are hoping to settle in and check out what courses those colleges offer.
Irrespective of any UK teaching qualifications you will still require a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. To make things easier for you and if you have the time you could do the D32 D33 (are they still called that) whilst still in the UK and APL them in Australia. That's what I did and only had to attend a 2 day workshop and provide some evidence of lesson plans, course material, meetings attended, assessment etc.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for the advice....is that a City & guilds course do you know? I will have a look into doing that

Not sure - think it might be. Basically it's an assessor's award.

Does anyone know if the TAFE colleges also have programs that teach adults high school level courses?

I am a secondary math teacher but all my work was done at a college in Canada. I taught adults high school level courses so that they could get high school equivalency and potentially go on to University or work.

I would love to only work part time since I have two small kids. I'm hoping to go back to work next year and I would prefer to be teaching adults if possible.

The answer is yes. TAFE offers levels of courses which equate to High School. These would be Certificates II; III and IV, and are taught to adults. Specifically the Cert II and III are for adults who, for whatever reason, missed out at school.

Fantastic! Thanks for the quick response.

I'm not in a rush to find work, so I guess I'll just keep an eye on the one in my area and see what happens.

Do you know if you need to be registered with the Queensland College of Teachers? I'm just in the process of doing that right now, but it will take a few months. My guess is that it wouldn't be needed but it'd be nice to know with a little more certainty.