Teach English in
Australia

English is the official language of Australia, but its proximity to Asia means that Australia is a great location for ESL students to study abroad, and as such there is much scope for employment for qualified TEFL teachers. There has been an 80% increase in the number of students studying in Australia in the last 10 years. While most ESL students in Australia are from Asia, you also find students from Europe and Latin America who have travelled to Australia to enjoy the culture and gorgeous weather while learning English.

Teaching in Australia is a great choice for teachers who want to try living abroad but are worried about culture shock – with English being the official language of Australia, you won’t feel too lost at sea when you arrive in the country. While the jobs available to TEFL teachers in Australia are usually better suited to experienced and well-qualified teachers, there are also temporary contracts, part-time roles and volunteering experiences that would be perfect for those fresh off their TEFL course.

If you’re aged 18 – 30 and come from Britain, Ireland, or North America, you can apply for a working holiday visa to teach English in Australia. Visas are for 12 months, and you need to be in good health to apply, you must be able to prove that you have the funds for your return flight, and you can’t have any dependent children. You can’t undertake work for the same employer for the whole year of your visa, and work must be incidental with the main purpose of your trip being travel. The best time to apply for professional roles is September, to start with the new school year in January. However, there are short-term contracts year round for students who come to study in Australia throughout the year.

Students who travel to Australia for their studies usually fall into one of two categories – those on a short-term overseas course, and long-term students. Short-term students usually stay in Australia for around 12 weeks, so if you are planning on being in Australia for less than a year yourself, it might be possible to find work teaching these students who are on a shorter visa like yourself. Many contracts for TEFL teachers will be for a course/term/month rather than a year. There are also longer courses (around 20-30 weeks long) for students who need to improve their English before enrolling on a university course in Australia. You’ll find that a peak season for teaching on short courses takes place from September to May (the warmer months).

However long you decide to teach in Australia for, bear in mind that standards are strictly regulated and schools will expect their teachers to be highly qualified and experienced, even if its only for a short period of time. You’ll need a degree, TEFL certificate with a practical component and at least 800 hours of teaching experience to get your foot in the door. For details on current requirements for TEFL teachers in Australia, visit the NEAS website . If you don’t meet all the requirements, you might still be able to find work at a non-accredited school . The Australian Academy of Commerce  teaches IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation classes.