How to Become a Relief Teacher in Australia.

Being a relief teacher in Australia has its perks. Relief teachers in Australia are relatively well paid in both public and private schools, and there are plenty of schools to work in. Being an Australian relief teacher is made easier by the supportive community that will help you, whether you’re very early in your career or looking for a change.

So how do you become a relief teacher in Australia?

• Get the correct qualifications.
• Register to become a teacher.
• Get out there and find some work!

What qualifications do you need to be a relief teacher in Australia?

You will need to go to university to be a teacher in any state in Australia. You could do a Bachelor of Education, which is around four years of study. You could also do a Master of Teaching, which is usually around two years if you already have a graduate degree in a field such as Science or English, which are subjects taught in schools. You used to be able to to a Graduate Diploma as well, but few universities are still offering them.

One thing to check when choosing a degree to get a job in teaching is that it will give you Teacher’s Registration. Each state has their own body that organises registration for teachers as well as specific requirements to become registered. Some degrees in Education will not fulfil the requirements to be registered as a teacher.

The Master of Education at the University of Adelaide, for example, is a great option if you already have a Bachelor of Education and are looking at further study. This is also a great option if you plan to teach outside of Australia. If you want to be a relief teacher in Australia, you will want to do the Master of Teaching at the same university. Choosing the right degree to get the qualification you want is essential.

How do you get Teacher’s Registration?

Each state has their own body that will organise and register teachers. The links to every registering body in Australia are in the table below:

To be registered as a teacher, you must submit a few forms and documents. The documents that need to be included in your application are likely to include:

• Birth certificate.
• Photographic identity (such as your driver’s licence or passport).
• Name change documents if applicable.
• Academic transcripts showing conferral or course completion for your completed undergraduate degree  and postgraduate degrees
• English language test if applicable.
• Overseas criminal history record checks if applicable.
• Proof of identity to satisfy the minimum requirements for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

You may need to have a certified copy of each of these documents. This means that you will need to take a photocopy of each document and the original to a Justice of the Peace so that they can certify that the copy is a true copy of the original document. In addition to this, you will need to pay an application fee. The details of these fees and requirements can be found on the website of the registering body in your state or territory.

If you have finished your study in an accredited course and are waiting on your official academic transcript, you do not need to wait to get started. Most registering bodies encourage you to submit the above paperwork with an unofficial statement of results. You will be able to request an unofficial statement of results from your university for any courses that you have completed before you get your official academic transcript when you graduate. It often takes some time to process applications, so getting all of your other paperwork in early means that you will get your teacher’s registration much quicker after submitting the final academic transcript.

How do you find work as a relief teacher?

There are many public and private schools across Australia. Many public schools are a part of a cluster, which is a group of schools with a common system for employing relief teachers. This is more common in primary schools, but some high schools are also involved in these programs. These clusters are geographically based, so it is well worth getting in contact with the cluster closest to where you live.

Many relief teachers find work in schools by simply going to schools and introducing themselves. If you want to work in public schools, you may need to get all of your documentation checked with the relevant Department of Education first.

To work as a relief teacher in private schools, you may need to apply and complete an interview. Many schools will tell you how to apply for work as a relief teacher on their school website. Many schools will also run regular events for relief teachers to come during the evening to meet the school leaders and get to know the school. This is a great way to get to know people at a school that you are interested in working at and for them to get to know you.

There are many Facebook groups that Australian relief teachers have made so that they can share information and help each other. There are many teachers and school leaders in these groups who often advertise work for relief teachers on Facebook. Teachers also use these groups to ask questions and share professional development opportunities, and they are worth joining. While Australia wide groups are great, also consider joining one that is local to your state or town so that you can get the most relevant information for you.