With the surplus of teachers in most parts of Canada, America and even in the UK, primary teachers contact us with the hopes of securing a full-time primary teaching job in Australia.

Things have changed in Australia for Primary Teachers

Primary teachers are no longer in a shortage in Australia, in fact in most parts there is a surplus. This is not good news because it does mean that it is highly unlikely you will get a full-time short-term or long-term contract before you venture over the Australia.

What Can Primary Teachers Rely On?

Australian schools like to see primary teachers in the classroom with the kids, working with the curriculum and this can be done through casual relief/supply work (CRT). After seeing you in the classroom and with some experience under your belt, you will find that contract positions might come up. So April to November is a great time to plan on working as a teacher in Australia.

When to come for Casual Relief Teaching?

We always tell our teachers the same thing…the beginning of the year (aka Feb & March) are very slow since schools have only started the year and the sun is still shining. Once sports have started, professional development for teachers and other meetings, and when the sun is no longer warming everyone up (aka winter), this becomes the busiest time for casual relief teachers (tips for Australian winters). BUT, the end of the year also slows down as schools wind down and the sun starts warming everyone up and the end is near.

How Can You Find Primary Teaching Jobs in Australia?

Keep in mind that your Working Holiday Visa allows you to do as many jobs as you want (as well as the 2nd Working Holiday visa)  so many of our primary teachers work as a tutor; work in a daycare; restaurant work etc.

We also recommend primary teachers get additional qualifications or something unique to their resume. Teaching French always helps, being an ICT specialist is an asset, having an intermediate qualification is a definite benefit.

We are sorry that we don’t have better news but we want to be straight up with our teachers and anyone who is thinking about coming to Australia. There is definitely work available during certain parts of the year for primary teachers, and contracts do come up, but you have to be prepared to go to Australia with casual work in mind, be open-minded and obtain unique experiences where you can.

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1) Uluru – OISE student teachers and other Leading Out teachers just returned from a great 4 day camping trip to the Outback and they have said it was incredible!

2) Great Barrier Reef – don’t miss one of the 7 wonders of the world.

3) Tasmania – a secret haven not to be missed (although cold this time of year so may want to consider a summer visit!).

4) Fraser Island, Whitsundays – Warm, so many fun outdoor activities!

5) Vietnam – beautiful country, affordable and warm!

6) Thailand – relaxing, beautiful people, great shopping!

7) Japan – unbelievable country and although going through a hard time, really is worth a visit!

8) New Zealand – incredible and one of the islands can definitely be done in 2 weeks; fantastic skiing!

9) China – history, unique, worth a visit!

The post It’s that Time of Year Again to Travel out of Melbourne! appeared first on Leading Out.

Many people just give everything to an Opt Shop or worse, throw it all away! It is environmental to try and pass on all of your items to someone else. That way, they don’t have to buy everything brand new, but it also doesn’t fill up the landfill sites (and bonus, you can make a bit of money back!).

So how do you find people who would actually want your used couches, bed, fridge, kitchen utensils, desk, etc. Well we all know Ebay and for individual items, this works well but the best option for used items, we have found is Gumtree.  

Gumtree Melbourne is fantastic to buy or sell the small things (utensils, plates, etc.), to bigger things (fridge, bed, desk), and you can even sell/buy cars for under $5000. Did you know you can look for work here too or a place to rent (just be careful for people who are scamming you)!

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Not sure how to get to Australia? Contact us now and let us help you make your dreams come true!

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6) A Backpack – so often when I pick up teachers at the airport, they show up with big refrigerator size suitcases. What you will find out quickly is that having a backpack when travelling in Australia is essential. It is not like Europe, most attractions in Australia are outdoors and require hiking, walking, swimming, etc. Not an easy thing to do with a rollie suitcase! Save yourself having to buy one, and make sure one of your bags you pack for Australia is a backpack.

7) Electric converter – If you didn’t know, Australia’s voltage is 220V but more importantly, the spokes are angled. You don’t need a large one if you already have an adapter on your laptop (which most do!). Also DO NOT bring a hair dryer or hair straightener. Doesn’t matter what you do, it will blow up! So leave it at home.

8.) Laptop – or any other technology. If you don’t know, electronics in Australia are super expensive so come prepared!

9) Mobile/Cell phone – If you have a phone with a SIM card, get your phone unlocked and bring it with you. It will save you from buying a phone and you will only need to buy a SIM card.

10) Bring half the stuff, double the money – this is usually the advice when going on holiday, but I think it is even more important when moving overseas. Although you want to make sure to have the critical things, there is no point bringing everything but the kitchen sink! There will always be things you will need as you get used to the climate and the type of activities you are doing.

We hope this has been helpful for you.

If you have other things that you found helpful when moving to Australia or something you know you won’t leave home without, let us know!

The post What to Bring to Australia Part II appeared first on Leading Out.

The Ten Most Important Things to Bring to Australia

1) A Jacket – not just a thin jacket, but a real winter jacket. Despite what people think about Australia, it does in fact get cold. So cold that those that don’t bring jackets, scarves and a hat, usually buy it or have their family send it over. Learn more about Winter in Australia or Tips to cope with Winter.

2) Electronic Copies of documents- since you will be travelling, you won’t want to carry original copies or photocopies of your documents. Not only as they could get ruined or lost, but also must easier to send to schools/agencies online.

3) A Variety of Clothing- remember not only will you be travelling but you will also need teaching clothes. We suggest packing a number of items that can be mixed and matched to make different outfits. Clothing is expensive in Australia so you don’t want to be relying on this to heavily especially over the first few months.

4) Toiletries– Deod0rants are mainly sprays so if you like stick, then stick with it and bring a few over! Sorry guys but this is an important one for the females you come over to Australia. If you have your favourite types, bring them as they are quite different or old school products in Australia. See Australian feminine products.

5) Photos of Family and Friends – Yes you will have your laptop but there is nothing better than having a few printed photos to put in frames up in your room. Just makes your new place homey and makes your home overseas feel a little less far away.  Homesickness is quite common and the 3-month rule will help you see that you are not alone.

Come back here to find out what the next five things that you should bring to Australia when moving to teach! Find the second part of this series here.

Have you thought of anything that we haven’t said yet? Let us know!

The post What to Bring to Australia Part I appeared first on Leading Out.

Why would you want a Second Working Holiday Visa?

We explain to our teachers, that the 417 Working Holiday visa lets them work and travel throughout Australia for an entire year doing whatever they like. The only major stipulation is that they can only work with one employer for up to 6 months. Once the Working Holiday visa is over, it is much more difficult to stay. Likely most will need to obtain a full-time position and get sponsored by an employer. This is called the 457 Business Sponsorship visa and you are then bound to that employer and cannot work with anyone else.

The benefit of getting the Second Working Holiday visa, is it allows you to continue working as many jobs as you want in Australia, while travelling, and you are not bound to any employer. This is fantastic for teachers who are enjoying casual relief teaching, tutoring, holiday programs, and perhaps picking up jobs during vacation at a surf shop or in a bar etc. You won’t be able to do this on the Business Sponsorship visa.

So how do you obtain a Second Working Holiday Visa?

During your first Working Holiday visa, you must spend 3 months doing specified work in rural areas in Australia. For teachers this works well to complete the 3 months over the summer and term holidays.

The Specified work can be found on the Immigration site and some examples include: 

This work can be paid or volunteer work. Another fantastic organization is WWoofing where you volunteer your time to do work, and your board and food are included. There are many fantastic opportunities to travel and see the country, while WWoofing and making a difference. Plus this will assist you with your 3-months specified work towards a Second Working Holiday visa.

Just remember, the Working Holiday visa is unique and no other visa (as an overseas visitor) will give you the flexibility that you will want while travelling and working in Australia!

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My suggestion is, sign up for an account now, and you will be surprised how many people are actually on it, even if you are not overseas yet. This way, when you are already on your computer, you can have a quick chat with someone too!

Ten years ago when I first travelling to Melbourne, Australia, Skype didn’t exist, or Facebook, and I was lucky to even have my family using internet regularly. Now back in Melbourne, having skype to quickly call my friends and family in Canada, makes such a difference to my enjoyment and love for living in Australia.

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What is a Bond?

Australian rental policy allows the landlord to take the value of a month and a half worth of rent. This is called a “bond”. It is NOT (nor anything like) paying “1st and Last month’s rent”. The hard thing is that you are expected to come up with this money when you take the apartment AS WELL AS the first month’s rent!

Most young teachers will be coming off the university “student ghetto” rental system when they move overseas and not have this substantial amount of money saved.

Worse, when you decide to leave, you don’t get that free month of rent to put towards your next apartment. You will be paying rent until you leave.

You won’t get the Bond back until after you make a separate application once you’ve already moved. With your application, the government is told they are no longer allowed to collect interest on YOUR MONEY and will return it to you ON THEIR TIMELINE.

How Do I Calculate the Bond?

Don’t bother trying to calculate the bond yourself. You might think that if you are paying $400/week, you will owe 6 weeks of rent as a deposit on the apartment ($2400.00). This is incorrect. Rental agencies have their own percentage to calculate this cost.

I was out an extra couple of hundred bucks from my calculation—and it was totally legit.

Tip:

Setting up in a new place—let alone a new country—incurs extra costs. Make sure you save money before moving.

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