Life After University
If you are moving close to completing your degree, you may be wondering how you can get a job as a teacher and start earning money so you can stop eating noodles as your main dietary intake. But where do you start?
The below has been put together as a guide to help you to apply for teaching jobs. It is mainly focused on New South Wales, however, it contains links to other states' teacher registration sites.
Disclaimer: The information on this site should be checked for accuracy before embarking on the application process. It is recommended you contact each state's regulatory body to ensure you have the correct information.
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership site can provide you with the national standards you must meet to become a registered teacher. Take a look over the policy below before applying to your local state or territory registration authority.
Early Childhood (EC)
Not all states and territories require registration before you begin working as an Early Childhood Teacher. The ACECQA website gives the details of each state and territory's requirements for registration.
Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
Conditional Accreditation Teacher Education Students may be eligible to apply for Conditional Accreditation through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All teachers working in NSW schools or approved centre-based early childhood services must be accredited with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to be eligible to teach in NSW. You can apply for Conditional Accreditation if you have: Further information can be found on here Conditional Accreditation information. Approval to Teach in NSW The NSW Department of Education is the largest education system in Australia, with a range of employment opportunities available for qualified teachers. Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced teacher seeking employment in NSW public schools, you will need to successfully meet the department’s requirements for approval to teach. You can apply for approval to teach in NSW public schools when you are in the final two semesters of your Teacher Education Studies provided that you: *International students can apply for casual and temporary teaching approval in accordance with the work rights granted under their visa. Before you start your Approval to Teach Application, you will need a NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment from the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian. You will also need to apply for and gain accreditation from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Once you have your valid WWCC number and your NESA ID you are ready to apply for approval to teach. Further information can be found on here Approval to Teach. For the best information regarding the process, contact the Queensland College of Teachers. For the most up to date information, contact the Victorian Institute of Teachers. The Teacher Registration Board - Tasmania has information about registration and jobs. Contact the TRB to find out more. The South Australian Teacher Registration Board website is a good place to start for registration. Make sure you contact them to get the details about applying for jobs. Contact the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia to find out more about registration and applying for jobs. The Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory will be your best bet for information regarding teacher registration and how to apply for jobs. For more information regarding teacher registration and job applications, contact the ACT teacher Quality Institute.
Where can I find documentation for proof of study?
Documents are often required by the state or territory registration authority when applying for accreditation including proof of your study with UNE.
You can download copies of your Professional Experiences Reports from InPlace through the shared documents or Teacher Education Students can send a request through AskUNE.
If you require documentation showing proof of study with the University (either for your records, or for an application for financial assistance from an independent agency), you may download a copy of your Confirmation of Enrolment.
To download a copy of your Confirmation of Enrolment, you can:
- Log into myUNE (using your student username and password).
- Select the myEnrol tab.
- Under the Enrolment Details heading, select the Confirmation of Enrolment for current calendar year link. Your Confirmation of Enrolment will begin to load.
- Once your Confirmation of Enrolment document has been generated, select the 'Print this page' button. You will then be able to select your preferred printing option.
If you are no longer enrolled with the University, but wish to provide evidence of any previous enrolment, you may purchase an official copy of your academic record through the Request for Academic Record form.
For further information please read this page.
Mutual recognition: Teacher registration in more than one state
Mutual recognition allows teachers to be registered in more than one state or territory in Australia and New Zealand without needing to complete the registration process from the beginning.
You do not need to be registered in multiple states/territories of Australia, but, if you do plan on moving, it is a really convenient way of being able to maintain your teaching registration.
Why may you register in more than one state?
Registering in more than one state can come in handy for those working in areas that straddle state borders – Albury-Wodonga on the border of NSW and Victoria, and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads on the Queensland/NSW border spring to mind.
Teachers working in these areas find it useful to hold both states’ teaching licenses, allowing them to work in any school within these areas.
For other teachers, holding multiple teaching registrations – while possible – can be expensive, particularly with multiple annual fees to keep all registrations current and yearly registration fees varying from state to state.
Teachers seeking to hold multiple current registrations will be looking at paying an application fee for each registration as well as the annual fee for each of these, which can run to hundreds of dollars or more.
The exception for this is Victoria and New South Wales - for those who are accredited teacher in NSW and wish to work in Victoria, the Victorian Institute of Teaching will waive its annual registration fees while the teacher maintains accreditation in NSW. This is a reciprocal agreement that allows teachers who live near the NSW-Victorian border to be able to work in both states and only pay one annual fee.
Below are some places to start gathering information in each jurisdiction. Each governing body has dedicated support staff to help you navigate which application process is correct for your personal circumstances.
The NSW Education Standard Authority (NESA) – Interstate Teachers provides teachers with important information when applying for accreditation. There is particularly useful information for Queensland and WA teachers. The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) offers an information sheet on mutual recognition as well as online forms and information on applying for mutual recognition. NSW teachers should contact the QCT directly for more information. Complete the application to the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) under mutual recognition form (excludes NSW teachers). Teachers who wish to be registered in both NSW and Victoria can apply for a waiver of fees. The Teacher Registration Board (TRB) "applying for teacher registration under mutual recognition form" outlines the process for teachers, as well as information for teachers from NSW. Teachers in Tasmania will also need to hold a registration to work with vulnerable people, in addition to their teaching registration. Applications for registration can be made via TRB Online. The "Application for registration under mutual recognition" page on the Teachers Registration Board (TRB) website covers both information and the application forms required for this type of registration. Teachers from NSW should contact the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia directly. For WA applications check the "applying for mutual recognition with WA TRB" page. Teachers in WA will also need a working with children check. Mutual Recognition. All applicants who hold teacher registration in another Australian State or Territory, or in New Zealand, will be granted the equivalent category of registration in the Northern Territory in accordance with the provisions within the Mutual Recognition (Northern Territory) Act 1992 or the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth). Don’t forget that teachers in the NT will also need to hold an Ochre Card before commencing a registration application. For comprehensive information about all aspects of registering to teach in the ACT, consult the ACT Teacher Quality Institute, where you can gain information on what type of registration is right for you. Don’t forget that teachers in the ACT will also need to hold a Working with Vulnerable People Card in addition to their teaching registration.
