Leading Out was an incredible team to work with. They helped me navigate through the tedious paperwork and somehow made the process less stressful and a lot more exciting. Even when I was settled overseas, they were always available to help with questions, concerns, confusions, or simply to offer some suggestions. It was comforting knowing that I always had someone I could reach out to for help.
What was your favourite classroom experience while in Australia?
Being a casual relief teacher brought me to new parts of the city every week. It was quite challenging to walk in to a group of students you had never met before and teach lessons you were not familiar with, but once I got accustomed to it, I was able to enjoy the journey and embrace the life of teaching on the fly. Not to mention, learning to entertain a group of students with my funny accent.
One experience that does stick out for me was my day as a Phys. Ed teacher at a Special Development School in Yarraville. I was so impressed with the support, the attention, and the detail that went in to coordinating lessons for these students. It was an extremely rewarding experience for me as a new teacher and I definitely left that day with more than I came in with.
What was your favourite travel experience?
Moving to Australia was an experience in itself. There are so many places to explore and if it weren’t for time and money, I would have done it all! I am very happy, however, that I was able to make the trip over to Tasmania. It was probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. We travelled over with no particular plan or schedule, but only a hand written list of suggested places to visit from friends and acquaintances we met along the way. It was quite refreshing to set out on the road with no time constraints or commitments. I don’t think there are many places in the world where you can get away with this type of haphazard plan, but it seemed that no matter where we went or which direction we took, it always left us in complete awe.
Why would you recommend teaching in Australia?
Teaching abroad was a great transition for me after graduating from teacher’s college. I was looking for an opportunity to travel while also continuing to gain experience as a teacher. It was nerve-wracking walking into a new class every day, but it was also quite exciting. Every day brought a new challenge and the whole process taught me a lot about myself and the world of teaching.
What advice would you give a new teacher moving to Australia?
Pack warm clothes. I thought I was escaping the Canadian winters by going to Australia…little did I know that I would have to wear socks and sweaters to bed some nights. Besides that, go in with an open mind and see every day as a new adventure. It’s a beautiful country filled with some amazing people.
What Leading Out support and service have you enjoyed the most?
Leading Out has been there the entire way! If you need someone to support you, you can count on Leading Out. Before departing Canada I was more than prepared thanks to their services. They realize that it is difficult to come half way around the world so they are willing to do whatever it takes for you to settle down and get comfortable. There is always someone there for you and their service is very reliable. Frequent emails and events will keep you up to date on what to do around the city. Mentoring and other programs are available for extra support and cash flow. Social gatherings occur to meet new people and to share your experiences. They are there to help and support you and to make things stress free.
The best place traveled within Australia:
Before I left Canada I hadn’t done a whole lot of research about what to do in Australia, let alone places to visit while being here, but let’s just say that so far my experience has been a huge eye opener! I have only been abroad for just over three months now and there are heaps to do out here. Taking a drive down Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles was only one of the most spectacular things I have ever done thus far. The scenery is just so breath-taking and beautiful it feels as if you are in a dream. I also got a chance to do a quick weekend trip to Phillip Island where I saw the koala’s, the nobbies, and the penguin parade. Again the scenery was just spectacular! Cannot wait to take a trip up to the East Coast during the next break to experience more of Australia!
Tips for International Teachers?
If you are coming from a small city as I did be prepared to be amazed at how beautiful this country is, but at the same time feel a little overwhelmed with the adjustment. Settling down may be stressful at first, but once you get a chance to explore the city or the area which you are situated, you will realize that everything here is so convenient. I must admit the public transportation system here is pretty straight forward and the scheduling is fairly accurate. It is very easy to go from place to place, and over time the system will only get better with more trains, trams, and buses coming more frequently at your convenience. Melbourne is definitely a busy place so expect to see heaps of people roaming the streets wherever you go!
Keep in contact with your family and friends as often as possible. Being half way around the world can be a little bit tough if you haven’t been away from home like I have. The world of teaching is not perfect and things aren’t always going to go as planned so expect a lot of ups and downs, however take these good or bad experiences and learn from them. Talk to people back home or other teachers within your school, as someone will be there to support you the entire way. Take the time to vent your anger/frustration or wonderful times to your family and friends because everyday you will come home with a story to tell!
Be prepared to spend a little bit more money than expected, as things can be a bit pricey! Everything seems to cost a bit more around here, especially food and clothing, but remember…no tax! The prices you see are the prices you pay. Also another thing to remember when eating out is that you don’t have to tip the waiter/waitress as it is not expected. I suggest that you pack enough clothing/supplies to get by at first, but eventually you will end up buying if you want to be up to date with the latest styles and fashions here…Melbourne is regarded as the fashion capital of Australia.
Last but not least when teaching out here remember that kids are kids. You are a new teacher from a different country at the school so expect the kids to test you a little bit. They may crawl under your skin and try to get away with a lot until you get to know them so have patience and don’t stress! Get involved with as much as you can at your school and in no time the kids will open up and become so attached to you. I always keep in mind that the first few years of teaching are going to be the hardest, but remember it’s an experience that you are never going to forget! Stay positive and keep an open mind, and from there you will figure out what kind of teacher you want to be…
What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?
I am happy to say that the one thing that I have enjoyed the most about teaching in Melbourne is getting to know the students and learning their sense of humour. Thanks to Leading Out I was fortunate enough to have landed a contract position within the first week of term 2. My first day of teaching was a little bit nerve racking, however the students here open up to you very quickly and are just so mesmerised by our Canadian accents! They have so many questions to ask and are super curious about what the similarities and differences are in Canada. Needless to say their sense of humour here is very entertaining, but it is the one thing that I look forward to when coming in to work each day.
Seeing as this is my first year of teaching in my own classroom without an associate present, I do notice some similarities and differences when comparing it my experience back home. One main difference is that high school begins in year 7 here. This still tends to throw me off a bit because there is a mix of students between the ages of 12-16 who are in the same building…weird! I work in a multi campus school which splits up students from year 7-10 and year 11-12 at different campuses. Another difference here is that high school students get time for recess, whereas recess ended for me after grade 8. In terms of teaching you may be a little bit shocked with the student-teacher relationships here. Teacher’s tend to be a little bit more layed back compared to Canada. For one thing, students here may ask for your first name, and it is not unusual for students to be calling teachers by their first name. There are also some differences in the curriculum here compared to back home, but all in all they cover most of the same topics and requirements needed for post secondary education.
What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?
The Leading Out services are first class services that every traveling teacher should take advantage of. All the services have assisted me in a stress free transition, from being picked up at the airport, to having a network of Canadian teachers to make me feel at home, everything about this program has exceeded my expectations and would recommend this program to anyone wanting to travel and teach.
My girlfriend and I were very nervous about leaving Canada and teaching in a new country. Leading out made this transition pain free. We e-mailed They were extremely helpful and would reply almost immediately. We were picked up at the airport, then set us up with our banking information and cell phones all within one hour of being in Australia. what service!! All the tedious things that must be done will get done right away. We also took advantage of the accommodation that is great, new, clean, everything’s included and have its own gym. My girlfriend and I have enjoyed living in house so much we have signed a lease until we leave. The excursions that Leading Out plans are a great way to meet people so go on them.
Tips for International Teachers?
If you are coming to teach in Australia go through the Leading Out program. You get to relax and enjoy your holiday and they help you with everything. Do not panic if you get here and want to go home in the first couple days. Melbourne is a great city but takes a couple weeks to warm up to. Once you are settled and recovered from jet lag you will begin to love the city and the things to do. Take advantage of your time off and travel. If you do not have a car get a month public transportation pass right away, it will save you money. Be prepared for the Melbourne weather. It is not always hot like you may believe. In the summer it is hot in Melbourne and can get up to 40 degrees but in the winter it is cold and you will need sweaters and jackets. Buy an umbrella it can be sunny in Melbourne and then two seconds later it can be raining so be prepared. There are so many festivals and events going on in Melbourne make sure you stay informed.
The best place travelled within Australia:
The best trip I have been on so far has been the Leading Out excursion to the Yarra Valley for wine tasting. This was a great experience that was cheap, fun and a great way to meet the Leading Out crew. I would also recommend going to Jan Juc beach which is just a little more than an hours drive away or a two hour train / bus ride. This beach is nice and has the biggest waves I have ever seen! You must try surfing, you can get a lesson for $55 and this will get you all the gear and 3 to 4 hours of surfing. So fun, it’s a must do!! Rent a car and take two or three days and drive the great ocean road. You will not be disappointed!! Melbourne is a great city and I recommend spending a couple days just walking around the city and alley ways, there are so many neat and cool places hidden away. There is always something going on in Melbourne so it is impossible to get bored or run out of new things to try.
What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?
I have enjoyed the whole experience of teaching in Melbourne. The schools are great, the staff is great, and the pay is better than in Canada. The transition has been stress free.
Victorian schools offer you more freedom in the classroom compared to Canadian schools. It’s a much more laid back atmosphere and I find the material you teach or your methods of teaching are not monitored as closely. I have enjoyed this and have tried lessons that I never would have had the courage to do in Canada. There is great support for graduate teachers and they have a mentor programs. The biggest change would not be with the school or structure but with the personality of the students and staff. Australians I find are very easy going and stress free people (for the most part). As a result, the classrooms are not as structured but no less productive. Report writing is completely different so make sure to start it early and ask questions. Another change, for the better is the amount of time off you get when teaching here. You get two weeks off after every three months and then a month holiday at Christmas time. This is a great way to break up terms and travel. Teaching in Victorian has been an enjoyable experience and I would recommend it!
What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?
I have enjoyed the social events that Leading Out have organised and it has been a great way to make friends with others new to Australia. When I first arrived to Australia the company arranged for me to stay in shared accommodation with others from all over the world and this was a great way to make new friends instantly. Leading Out has been a huge help to me both before I arrived and since I have been in Australia. The company is very professional and has dealt with my many questions quickly and efficiently. You know a quick phone call to them will clear up any uncertainty and its very reassuring to have such a reliable service available.
Tips for International Teachers?
Make the most of your time here by using weekends and breaks between terms to travel around Australia. Don’t forget that its supposed to be a working ‘holiday’ so give yourself enough time to travel. Be prepared for the changing weather conditions! They say you can experience all 4 seasons in one day in Melbourne and trust me its true! My advice would be to pack each day for all possible weather conditions and you’ll be just fine! Research Aussie Rules Football! It’s like a religion here and you won’t be accepted until your supporting an AFL team.
The best place traveled within Australia:
The best place i have been to so far has to be Fraser Island. It’s the largest sand island in the world with amazing lakes and scenery. I did a 3 day/2 night self drive safari trip and along with 8 others, travelled across the island on a 4 x 4 jeep stopping at amazing places including Lake Wabby, Lake McKenzie and Indian Heads.
What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?
I have enjoyed the challenge of teaching in another country and Melbourne has been a great place to gain this experience. I have been to lots of different schools in my time here and all have been both challenging and rewarding. I have particularly enjoyed teaching PE in the primary schools and working with the younger children has been very enjoyable. It has certainly made me consider whether or not I want to teach at primary or secondary level when I return to England.
What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?
For someone who took the chance and came to Australia to teach, it might strike you as odd that I am a person who doesn’t like the unfamiliar and unknown. Because of this, I took advantage of everything Leading Out had to offer; they found me an apartment before I got here, they set up a bank account for me, they organised my interviews and found me a job. Seeing as I started work the day after I landed in Melbourne, knowing everything was in order really put me at ease and allowed to jump head first into my adventure!
After my contract ended, Leading Out immediately helped me get the ball rolling on CRT work. I’ve also taken advantage of their travel discounts to help me book trips. And if it wasn’t for all the different activities organised by the social committee (trips to Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road, learning to play footy, surfing lessons, etc.) I might not have experienced my own city or met other Canadian and Leading Out teachers.
Tips for International Teachers?
DO EVERYTHING!!! At school, volunteer for everything; take advantage of field trips, camps or sport days. If an activity comes up on the weekend, take part in it! If you’re travelling and you have the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary, try it! Whether your teaching experience is good or bad, if you dive head first into anything that is presented to you, you will have the most amazing and rewarding experience possible!
The best place traveled within Australia:
How can I narrow it down?!? I have been to some of the most amazing places since I arrived that I don’t think I can pinpoint one that is the “best”. Some highlights include camping at Mt. Sterling, hiking up to the top in the rain and seeing the peaks of the surrounding mountains shrouded in mist; driving around Fraser Island and visiting Lake Mackenzie with its crystal waters and sand like baby powder; sleeping under the stars at Kroombit Cattle station, eating fire grilled steak and drinking billy tea after a day of rounding up goats on horseback; also at Kroombit, riding quad bikes through the outback as the sun sets; sailing the Whitsundays and finding Nemo on the Great Barrier Reef…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?
The first and most obvious difference I saw between teaching in Victoria and teaching in Canada was the role of the teacher; back home it was the teacher who had immediate contact with parents if a child was performing poorly in class, or if there were constant discipline problems. Here in Victoria, that role is passed on to pastoral team leaders and junior and senior school heads. The teacher can then focus on delivering the lesson instead of who they have to contact after the lesson is done, who they have to chase for homework, etc. This was certainly a big help to a new teacher still trying to learn the ropes of a different evaluation system. Speaking of which, that is the other major difference I noticed; there is a lot of material packed into the curriculum that must be covered as well as a high number of evaluations to be completed. It seemed like there was some sort of evaluation task, test, or essay every week. The content of the material covered was very similar to what I was teaching in Canada, but it seemed to me that, back home, I had more time to cover it.
During both my contract and CRT work, I have been blown away by the support given by the school’s staff. Coming to an unfamiliar country with a totally unfamiliar system can be extremely overwhelming, but when there is someone there to answer every question, big or small, to provide teaching ideas and activities, or even just to ask if everything is going well makes that transition so much smoother (and more enjoyable!).
Subject Area: Primary, taught in a rural school in Australia
What Leading Out support and services have you enjoyed, or have assisted you, the most?
Leading out was very helpful in finding me a place to live. I also was very thankful for the bank set up, and the help with all the paper work that needs to be done. Leading Out is always there to answer any questions you may have. I felt like I had a security net the entire time.
I was in a rural community, and the most helpful was the fact that Leading Out was always in contact with my principal. You never feel alone!
The best place traveled within Australia:
The best place I have traveled so far in Australia, would have to be Fraser Island. My traveling partner and I went up the sunshine coast for our two week school holiday. The Sunshine Coast is beautiful! We ended it with a tour of Fraser Island. It is the most beautiful and unique place I have ever seen! It is a must! We did the three days two nights tour.
Tips for International Teachers?
It would be good to have some money saved up before you come, in case you don’t get work right away. I was very lucky to have full time work the moment I landed. That meant I got paid while on vacation. My experience from my own school, is that a lot of teachers don’t leave any instructions as they are not required too. In my school board, it is mandatory to have your lessons prepared three days in advance so that if you are sick, there are plans. That is not the case here in Australia.
Another tip, is take advantage of ALL school trips. I got to see most of Victoria for free! I volunteered for every school trip. I honestly think I was out of the classroom more than I was in. I learned how to surf, went on rainforest hikes, sea kayaking, mountain climbing, the list goes on, all for free! It is such a great way to get the true aussie experience and bond with the kids.
If you come in Mid August/Sept. bring warm clothes! I froze my butt off for quite sometime! I didn’t believe people when they said it would be cold. Especially in Melbourne!
Get your VIT in ASAP! I left mine really late, only because there were issues with police checks. I had the ontario one done, but not the federal, so everything was delayed. You can not teach in front of a classroom without it, and it takes a long time to process. That is number one! Also bring everything with you as far as documents go.
What have you enjoyed most about teaching in Victoria?
I actually didn’t end up working in Melbourne. One week before I flew to Australia. Leading Out contacted myself and my travel partner, to ask if we would mind working in a rural community. Being from one back home, we were very keen. We ended up in a little town 3 hours from Melbourne. It was an amazing experience and I am so glad that I ended up there. I was hired on full time to coach teachers on smart boards and to teach year nine science. It was great to become part of a small community like that. I highly recommend it! It is really beneficial to have a car if you are going to live outside of the city.
I have not noticed too many differences. The major difference I would say it the report card. I was teaching year nine, which I have never done back in Canada, so that in itself was all new to me. Secondary school reports are much different than elementary. Other than that, I find kids are the same where ever you are.
There are plenty of books and online materials to walk you through the steps of writing a winning resume. Since we cannot possibly cram it all in here, consider the following do’s and don’ts when writing your resume to be helpful and simple reminders to help your resume stand out. If you have crafted a resume and consider it an inspiring piece of art, that’s great! Remember, it’s never a waste of time to keep it fresh in your mind and revisit it from time to time. Keep it current and recheck for those sneaky grammatical and spelling errors. These mistakes happen to all of us if we are not careful.
Edt! eidt! Edit!
It is not enough to read it over yourself. A second and third set of eyes will be invaluable to catching errors that you may have overlooked. Read it out loud. This is the best way to see how it will read to someone else.
Design
Be consistent with the format you use and how you list your information. Choose one and stick with it. Be mindful that you are not changing the format from one section to the other (spacing and margin alignment).
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When including your personal contact information, be sure to include the most up to date and appropriate data. Your contact phone numbers should have voice mail, preferably a message that does not include “what up” or ” leave a message okie dokie!” Stating your name is always helpful.
If you have not already created a separate professional email address, may we suggest you do it. While hotpants or cuppycake may be a well earned and fun nickname, this is not the best way to set you apart from the rest of the candidates. A simple combination of first initial and last name will do and look far more professional!
Know Yourself Don’t shy away from the great qualities you have to share. As you already know, this is the point of a resume, and it doesn’t hurt to add more and or refresh some of your strengths. Spending one-on-one time with your resume and rewording it also helps you keep the language fresh in your mind. You want to be able to recall your assets and strengths during the interview. Your work ethic, quiet confidence, sense of humour, flexibility, adaptability, positive outlook, initiative, leadership qualities, efficiency, open-mindedness, resourcefulness etc. will shine through.
Helpful Tip: Applying for a teaching position overseas suggests that you have an adventurous spirit and that is half the battle. Experienced and inexperienced travelers are prone to encountering some “culture shock” and it doesn’t hurt to read how others worked through it. Our article on culture shock in Australia may help you generate a few qualities to include in your resume. Qualities that highlight your willingness to learn from a new culture and share your own. These will go a long way.
Think of your resume as your introduction and first impression. Take the time to review and revise. We already know you are awesome teachers, let your resume reflect that.
The most important factor for us when helping people find primary teaching jobs in Australia is that they are happy before, during and after their stay. We pride ourselves on giving honest advice and feedback to our teachers even if it isn’t always the best news. The last thing we want is an unhappy teacher half way across the world and we do try our very best to avoid this.
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.
The chill is in the air and I bet for many of you Canadian teachers, all you can think about is Term 2 teaching holidays in Melbourne. Wondering where you should go?
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!).
We did talk quite a bit about how to find furniture in Melbourne in past posts, but what about when you leave Melbourne and want to sell all of your stuff.
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)!
Name: Lia
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Don’t shy away from the great qualities you have to share. As you already know, this is the point of a resume, and it doesn’t hurt to add more and or refresh some of your strengths. Spending one-on-one time with your resume and rewording it also helps you keep the language fresh in your mind. You want to be able to recall your assets and strengths during the interview. Your work ethic, quiet confidence, sense of humour, flexibility, adaptability, positive outlook, initiative, leadership qualities, efficiency, open-mindedness, resourcefulness etc. will shine through.
