Australian job market

Please note that our certificate course is mainly designed for people who want to leave Australia to work overseas, not specifically for people who wish to come to Australia to work. While the TESOL job market is good in Australia, it is harder to get a job here if you only have a TEFL certificate and nothing else. You'll be competing with hundreds of Native English Speakers with education degrees and a minimum of 2 years experience. If you have that yourself, you've got a good chance of landing a job in Australia with a TEFL certificate.

90% of our trainees do our course to work in countries where English is a Second Language. What you learn in the course will prepare you for teaching overseas in Asia, South America and other non-Engish speaking areas.

What is the TEFL job market in Australia like? Will I have trouble getting a job?

The TESOL job market in Australia is good, as long as you have a recognised degree and some experience along with your TESOL certificate, and finding employment is a fairly straight forward matter. It is probably best to investigate the school or college you would like to teach at and find what their requirements are before registering, if you plan to teach in Australia.

If you wish to work in Australia and you don't have a degree, you may still find work in non-accredited institutes (there are hundreds), businesses with language training centres, aboriginal support centres in Arnheim Land and other rural places, and many other areas around the country. Remember that Australian businesses prize experience, so it's best to do 2 years teaching overseas first.

May 2011 update. With changing immigration laws, colleges closing all over Australia, reduced student intakes and recent Earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan meaning teachers returning to Australia, there is now a lot more competition for work and so most businesses no longer advertise that they have a job available.

This might seem dire but it just means that you need to be more proactive. Go door knocking looking presentable with a neat resume. You may be able to get a job on the spot. Happy, positive, proactive people who go door knocking have a better chance of securing a job in Sydney than shy, quiet people who just email resumes.

When do I need to start looking for work? Where do I start?

We suggest you begin setting up interviews and sending resumes in the fourth week of the course after we have covered job related matters during input sessions. There are dozens of TEFL employers in Sydney alone, and hundreds elsewhere in Australia. Of course, you’re certainly not limited to working in Australia – where to teach is up to you! Have copies of your degrees prepared so that you can present these documents to your potential employer.

What will TEFL International in Sydney do to help me secure employment?

We can give you a list of currently available jobs in Sydney and other cities in Australia if needed. We will also help you with resume and interview preparation.

What is the average salary like?

The average TESOL salary in Australia is about AU $35,000 to AU $50,000 per year, though of course this varies depending on what type of school or company you work for, and whether you work full- or part-time. Very experienced TESOL teachers can earn anywhere between AUD $35 to AUD $65 per hour for classroom teaching and about AUD $20 to AUD $30 per hour for teaching privately, less tax. As many of the jobs in the industry may be 6 to 9 months a year, some businesses may wish to employ you under a contractual arrangement, in which case you'll need to apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) and take care of your own tax.

Do most schools provide accommodation for their teachers?

Some employers in rural areas provide accommodation as part of an employment package, those that do not may offer assistance in finding suitable accommodation. Accommodation is generally easy to find and inexpensive.

How many of the TEFL graduates actually find work in Australia?

Most of our course graduates who have wanted to work in Australia have been able to secure teaching positions.

Do schools provide health insurance?

Generally, no. However, if you pay Australian income tax, you are entitled to a medicare card, which gives you limited medical cover. Visit http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ to find out more.

Do schools provide work permits?

Generally, no. It would be expected that you would already have an Australian worker’s visa to be able to work at the school. Visit http://www.immi.gov.au/ to find out more.

What is a typical teaching position like?

Teaching positions vary greatly and a good deal of choice is available. There are teaching positions available in schools, language centres, businesses, hotels and resorts and more besides.

Can I return to my own country and teach with my certificate?

Yes, though the requirements for working in ESL or TEFL in many western countries are different, and sometimes need graduate education in ESL or TEFL.