Australia – Steve

I really enjoyed teaching English in Australia and found it a great way to experience a truly massive and amazing country. I’d recommend it to anyone who (like me) can’t afford to fund an extended trip around the place but is willing to juggle work and play over the course of a year.

Work can be found in private language schools, teaching a mix of Asian, European, South American, and occasionally African students. These schools are similar to those operating in other English speaking countries, and generally consist of young adult students hoping to improve their English whilst having a good time in Oz. This means that motivation levels can vary widely. Classes range from hard working Cambridge groups and IELTS/EAP students desperate to get into Australian colleges, right through to easy going general English groups with more interest in surf reports than reported speech.

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Study a TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos in Peru, South America and travel the world, live abroad and enrich people’s lives by teaching them English. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate is an internationally accredited and accepted qualification to teach English to people from non-English speaking countries. More questions? Head to our What is TEFL? page

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If you’re wondering about access to work there’s bad and good news depending on your age! Visas are tricky to get, and sponsorship (by employers) is not easily obtainable in the TEFL industry unless you have something special to offer. BUT, if you’re under 30 and from a signatory country (including the UK, Ireland, Canada and many others) you can qualify for a ‘Working Holiday Visa’ (See the Australian Government Website in your country for details). This bit of wallpaper for your passport isn’t too expensive and entitles you to work for 1 year (up to 3 months for each employer you can find).

When armed with a visa, blast all prospective schools with emails and CVs offering your services, and providing you’ve got a TEFL qualification you should get some positive responses. An invaluable resource is the list of accredited language schools which can be found at www.neasaustralia.com. Schools are listed by state and if they don’t supply an email address you’ll have to do a few searches by name to dig out the contact details.

————————————————————————————————————–Pay is usually enough to live on comfortably though definitely not extravagantly. I managed to save up travel money during my work stints without starving or staying home every night. The usual rules apply regarding employers – get a contract, check the pay, but remember that there’s a steady supply of teachers in the bigger cities so your bargaining power is limited.

I found that some of the bigger schools in particular weren’t overly concerned with real teacher development (revolving door employment policies to keep wage costs down) but always paid on time and had good resources. Also, some places only recognise Australian or British Council school teaching experience when it comes to remuneration, but are happy to ask such ‘unproven’ staff to teach Cambridge or other more demanding classes.

Accommodation is cheap if you’re prepared to share a house – check the classified adverts in the local papers. Private residences can also be rented and tend to be of varying quality but uniformly expensive.

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When it comes to spending your earnings, you can start to enjoy the benefits the ‘lucky country’ has to offer: great food, the great outdoors, surf, loads of sports facilities, modern shops etc. Supermarkets are reasonably priced but eating out in Australia is deservedly popular and many places let you BYO (bring your own) alcohol. Loads of pubs and clubs; outgoing people; and a lively, original arts scene all mean plenty to see and do.

My own experience was of nice classes and fun school activities (like being paid to take surfing lessons or play beach volleyball with the students). Management varied from friendly and enthusiastic to bureaucratic and dishonest. The bits of independent travel in between work were fantastic, and I even got to know a few Aussies amongst all my fellow tourists. The locals are easy to talk to but speak their minds, so don’t always expect polite banter or five-star customer service. On the other hand, they value their leisure time and like to show guests a good time.

As for travelling around and seeing the sights, you’ve all read the guidebooks, so get out there – if your school runs a social activities programme you might even get paid to do it!

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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Similar in size to the USA, Australia has only a fraction of the population and all the wild-roaming space you could possibly need, complete with stunning scenery and all manner of wildlife. Its coastal cities are also part of its pulling power, as is the fascination with its ancient past.

Long before European explorers blazed a trail through the country, the Aboriginal people, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, thrived and there has been a concentrated effort in recent years to preserve their culture. Meanwhile, a cultural mix has penetrated the cities which are enriched with people from across the globe, including Chinese and Greek communities.

Why you might want to teach in Australia:

• The salaries are better than many western countries
• Kangaroo Island – less-visited than Fraser Island, but with far more to see
• Melbourne – vibrant, cosmopolitan city with excellent food and nightlife
• Flinders Ranges – a camper’s and hiker’s paradise
• The Whitsundays – serene sailing and some of the best snorkelling and diving anywhere

Things you might not know about Teaching English in Australia

• Australia’s highest-ever recorded temperature was a scorching 123°F!
• Australia’s wildlife is notorious: its crocodiles can to 20ft long!
• Australians love having a burger on the bar-b! The average Australian will consume the equivalent of 18 whole cows in their life!
• There are actually four types of boomerang, and only one will return to the thrower

Summary

The demand for teachers is high, but there’s lots of competition for jobs

Main TEFL regions

Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne

Types of teaching

PELICOS language schools: General English, Cambridge (PET, FCE, CAE, CPE), Business English, EAP, IELTS, TOEIC

University ELICOS centres: General English, EAP, IELTS

Private non-ELICOS language schools: General English, Cambridge (PET, FCE, CAE, CPE), Business English, EAP, IELTS, TOEIC

TAFE colleges: General English, ESP

AMES: General English, EAP, ESP

Accommodation

You will usually have to arrange this yourself. A room in a shared apartment starts at about A$300 per month, while an apartment of your own will be at least A$800 per month.

Flight reimbursement

No

Salary

A$2,400 -A$4,600 per month, depending on your qualifications and experience.

Taxes

At the lower end of the salary range, you’ll pay about 11% of your salary as tax; at the higher end, it’ll be more like 18%.

Cost of living

The cost of living is on a par with other western countries. A weekly travel pass for Sydney city centre will cost A$35, a beer in a bar is about A$4, while a cinema ticket is about A$9.

Potential to save money

On a starter’s salary, you’re unlikely to save any money; but as your earnings increase with your experience, you should be able to put some money in the bank.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

As the market is so competitive, you should get as much training as possible. TEFL Zorritos 160 hour on-site course will fully prepare you for teaching in Australia or anywhere else in the world.  With the 5 advanced certifications included as part of the 160 hour course you will definitely have an advantage when looking for a job in Australia.

Common teaching conditions

You’ll usually be teaching for 25 hours each week. Your students will be immigrants from across the globe.

Be aware…

If you’re a native English speaker who hails from outside of Australia, be aware that some words have slightly different meanings in here, which can lead to some embarrassing situations!k & Visas

How do I find work?

If you’re suitably qualified, try applying to the schools listed on the ELICOS website. This is the only way you’re likely to be able to get a job without being in Australia.

Can I find work while in-country?

As most teachers work on short contracts, this is your best option. You can still use the ELICOS list, or you could simply pick up the local yellow pages – there are hundreds of language schools across the country.

What is the usual hiring process?

The best way is to take your CV into the school and they’ll arrange an interview if you’re up to their standards.

Is a work visa required to find paid work?

Yes. Most overseas teachers work on a 12-month Working Holiday Visa. It’s available to 18-30 year olds from the UK, Canada, the USA, Ireland and several other countries.  If you’re not from one of the countries participating in the scheme, it will be difficult to obtain a visa.  New Zealand Citizens, however, do not need a visa.

Work visa requirements:

• Aged 18-30
• From one of the participating countries
• You can only work for each employer for six months
• Copies of birth certificate and valid passport
• Copies of qualifications
• Health Insurance
• Evidence of at least A$5,000 in the bank

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!