Hello everyone,

I realise you have all been a little anxious on what is happening and why.

So here is an update, and this is the news upto date. I hope this clears things up.

DET accepts that it has a moral obligation to sponsor the teachers offered positions already and all of them were advised by last Friday, will be coming in January 2010.

For those still waiting news:
Anyone interviewed who wasn't offered a position has been advised the program is on hold and will be contacted in May about the current situation as it applies to them individually.

DET is using new Permanent visa as the old 457 for teachers is no longer an option (immigration decision) this is only reason this new visa is being used. So those who came on the 457 like us its just how things worked out, DET had no control over this.

DET is not advertising or interviewing in UK this year.

DET has NO VACANCIES in any school in WA because the current global economic situation. eg everyone is putting on hold retirement or returning to teaching after redundancy.
(Dereks enthusiasm and optimism is not happening in WA)

DET will review the sponsorship program later this year.( No guarantees it will return and its looking shaky)

I hope this is of some help. I do not work for DET nor is this post endorsed by DET. However this is the actual info you need

GEMS

Many thanks Gems.

PS, approx 50 teachers will arrive in Jan. These will be Primary and Secondary.

Gems

"DET will review the sponsorship program later this year.( No guarantees it will return and its looking shaky)"
Hi I am married with 2 young girls I will be finishing my PGCE at the begining of june, I was planning in applying for WA sponsorship during my probation year (due to finish June 09), but with the above information it looks very unlikely. Does anyone Know if there are any other options for me to get to WA? would appreciate any feedback

Nobody know what the current world economy will bring and when things pick up.

However have to say that the scheme has been around in some form in the past. So although it not all good news at the moment, if your just starting out get your first year or two under your belt. Then things could have changed for the better regarding the scheme.

GEMS

Wonder what's been going on in this thread? Chill people please

Are you Primary or Secondary? Regardless you're probably going to have to apply for the 175 visa...which will take quite a long time to process if you're Primary, and a shorter time if you're Secondary, as Secondary is on the CSL!

www.immi.gov.au

Hi Jen

Primary, I have been having a look at the 175 visa, my problem is I will be 31 this year, so when I have the 3 years expierence to gain 10 points for Specific work experience to take me up to 120 points, I also lose another 5 due to me turning 34, so I will still be short 5.

Hi Gems,

Thanks so much for your insight, very helpful.

Will

For those worried that they may be coming to no job.

Well teachers move and leave even in the middle of school year.
My hubbies school is starting term 3 today. His is classed as great school (so no extra allowance). Vacancies come up in good school too (I know some worry they will be shipped to the desert).
So today they have one person on long service leave (you can get long holiday if you have worked several years).
One person has left as pregnant.
Therefore they are shuffling jobs. Also another teacher has said yesterday at teacher training she is going on long service leave.
Last year they lost a couple of teachers mid year to Maternity and move to Perth.

So as you can see things change here even in the middle of the year.
Det will find positions for those who are coming. So please try not to worry.

Those coming in January, well its the new school year and people always move around leave. Det will therefore be able to sort your positions as they can.

However you need to realise DET are working extremely hard to honour their commitment to you.

Hope this is clearer

Gems

My husband's school is the same - lots of mid year movement!

As you said, people get worried about being shipped to the desert. We are only an hour from Perth, on the coast in the city of Mandurah - small allowance and no subsidised rent or house provided, but hey, you can't win them all!

Then u do wot I did, the IELTS exam, it'll get u an additional 10 points for English competency if u hold a certain passport eg UK?

Anyone give me a clue as to how far in advance medicals need to be done?

We had ours done in Sept, visa started being processed in Nov (i think). You can't get them done till they tell you, that's the only thing.

DET will inform you when to get your meds done. Check who you can use with DIAC and get costings. We went to Cambridge for ours as it was easier to sort out Xrays than going more locally to Northampton plus we made a day of it !! You won't be back in Blighty for a while !!

Visa process for us was Early Nov however am led to believe your visa type may require more detail so prob best to get advice on that from others coming out in June/July. DET will keep you on the right track. You are not alone !!

N