Be the change you want to see

It’s a sad reality that not every child in Australia has access to the education they deserve. Children from the lowest income households are on average three years behind in school by the time they’re 15. We want to fight educational inequity – and make sure that any student who wants to learn can get access to world-class teachers. And we do that through people like you.

By working with Teach for Australia, you’ll be creating the change you want to see in the world – addressing social injustice around educational inequity, while inspiring the next generation of students.

Our award-winning Leadership Development Program means you’ll work as a teacher in secondary school level classes ranging from Year 7 to Year 12. You’ll get a full salary and benefits for two years, while also studying for a Master’s degree and receiving one-on-one coaching and mentoring.

Teaching to Lead

You’ll be teaching in subject areas that are directly related to your previous studies – whether you’ve just graduated or are more than 10 years out – and you’ll become part of a dedicated community committed to tackling educational inequity.

It’s not just the students who’ll benefit from your impact; you’ll develop and hone your leadership skills on a  personal, professional, and academic level. And after two years on the program, you’ll be an exceptional leader set up for contributing to society and the broader community. Your Teach for Australia experience will be a life-changing one.

Our 2 year program is made up of several components to make sure you’re well supported and set up for success.

National Initial Intensive

Our program kicks off in November 2022 with a 6 week residential training program. It will fast track you to prepare for and give you the foundations for entering the classroom. It’s here you’ll complete a portion of your Master’s and get to connect with peers from within your cohort and beyond.

Teaching & leadership development

Once you begin teaching in 2023, you’ll develop your teaching and leadership skills throughout the program through first-hand teaching experience, continuing your Master’s and one-on-one coaching and mentoring.

Earning your Master of Teaching

Delivered in partnership with ACU and embedded within the program. Associates will complete a nationally accredited and internationally recognised Master of Teaching (Secondary) (Leading Learning) in 2024. You’ll already be changing lives for the better by this time too!

A little bit about Jun

Life Before Teach for Australia
Law

Teaching Areas
Legal Studies, Chinese –Mandarin, English as an Additional, Humanities

Current Employment
Policy Manager at the Department of Education (Victoria)

Jun wanted to do something meaningful and impactful in his life. Originally from Brisbane, he was considering his career options in law and diplomacy. Teaching wasn’t on his list until he learned about Teach For Australia.

“I never intended to be a teacher until I found Teach For Australia, where I could work towards a bigger goal of systemic change and impact,” he says.

“My placement was in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. My school was very multicultural and diverse which made the place really interesting. I had a wonderful experience at my school and loved working with all the different type of students as well as interacting with the different parents.”

“I learnt that I was quite capable of adapting to situations quickly and that I could lead. It really set up an orientation in myself that I could do anything and helped me to apply for my senior positions after the Leadership Development Program.”

Jun is now a Policy Manager at the Department of Education in Victoria, committed to a vision of an Australia where all children, regardless of background, achieve an excellent education.

“I know that to address educational inequity, it requires multiple players in multiple sectors. But the thing I miss about teaching is interacting with young people each day and helping them grow and learn.”

A little bit about Kath

Life Before Teach for Australia
Manager at Ernst & Young

Teaching Areas
Legal Studies, Accounting, History

Current Employment
Classroom Teacher at Mill Park Secondary College

After nearly nine years in the corporate world, Kath realised that she wasn’t doing what she loved.

“I had plenty of time working for commercial gain,” she says, “and knew I wanted a renewed focus on doing something that is beneficial to society as a whole.”

She wanted a career with more social interaction, and less time sitting behind a desk. Kath wanted to pass on the opportunities she had in her education to another generation of students, but Kath didn’t want to put her life on hold to change careers.

“A priority for me was to not feel that I was taking a step backwards in my professional life, and taking two years out of paid work to attend a conventional Masters degree,” Kath says.

“The draw of the Leadership Development Program is that it throws you in to work straight away – and that very much suited me.”

“The most rewarding part of the program is that I get to form new connections every day with those who are either in the education system (students) or are passionate about improving it (Associates, staff, other teachers).

“To be able to guide my students through subjects that I love and to see them become interested in and motivated to pursue the subject is really something.”

Compared to other wealthy nations, Australia’s education system is one of the most unequal and inequitable.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are on average six times more likely to be below the national minimum standards for literacy and numeracy.

COVID-19 has only exacerbated these problems, with estimates showing that the achievement gap has tripled in 2020 for students who are experiencing disadvantage.

Students from rural or remote communities are less than half as likely to go to university – and are more likely to drop out if they do.

Welcome to the team

Teaching isn’t easy. It’s demanding of your time, experience, and patience. But for those up for the challenge – the rewards can truly be life changing. Our program sets a high bar too but we set you up for success with a comprehensive network to support your professional development and to help maintain your health and wellbeing. You’ll be working with a great team of supporters including your:

Teaching and Leadership Adviser (TLA)

An experienced teacher who will provide rigorous one-on-one coaching, regular classroom observations and pastoral care to guide your development as a teacher and leader throughout the program.

ACU Academic Mentor

They will support and supervise your progress throughout the degree and guide your achievement of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

School Mentor

This is an experienced teacher at your placement school who will provide day-to-day practical support and help with integration into life at the school and within the local community.

We’d also encourage you to get involved with the Teach For Australia community – a national network of leaders who share best practice, emotional support, and collaboration towards achieving change. Associates can also connect with the global network of leaders around the world as part of the Teach For All network, with ACU Student Services, and our Alumni so you can discuss international education and classroom best practice, school leadership, social innovation, and policy.

Learn more at one of our events

The best way to find out if this is the program for you is to join us at an information session or workshop. You’ll learn more about our work, the program and what we look for in applicants.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/teach-for-australia-7924562332?_eboga=896872775.1641782995&_ga=2.133333326.1565428274.1644988523-896872775.1641782995

If you’re successful on Selection Day, we’ll extend you a conditional offer. Next comes placement in a real school – and this is where your skills really get a chance to shine. We place Associates exclusively in schools serving low socioeconomic communities, working in the regions and communities that need the most support.

Working in close collaboration with fellow Associates, teachers, school leaders and the community, you’ll usually be placed with other Associates within the same school, or in schools nearby.

The placement process begins in September and runs through until December. Once you’ve been placed, we encourage you to get in touch with your school and plan for potential relocation before starting teaching in early 2023. (Some Associates may start training at National Initial Intensive before their placement is confirmed.)