Excerpted from the Australia Career Guide

Early childhood teachers, diploma candidates and candidates with experience working with children with additional needs are in high demand, according to specialist recruiter Hays.

Hiring Trends

Teacher Shortage

There is an evident shortage of teachers in key subject areas, predominantly design and technology, science, ICT and leadership. At the same time, schools are becoming more selective and often seek teachers with diverse, flexible skills, says Hays, driving salaries up even more.

Early Childhood

The chronic shortage of qualified staff continues in early childhood and school age day care centers. Hays reports the shortage is most acute for Diploma Trained and Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs). This shortage is expected to continue.

Salaries

Salaries for teachers in government schools remain stable, according to recruiting firm Hays. Teachers in New South Wales are the highest paid. Salary disparities also extend outside government schools; teachers in the private system typically earn higher salaries than those in the government systems. Independent schools are moving toward a three-band pay scale, resulting in higher earnings sooner for teachers in the private system, says Hays. Salaries are also becoming performance-based.

Widening the divide, independent schools often pay 4 to 10 percent above the salary scale in an effort to secure and retain the best teachers.

Organizations and Trade Associations

Note that the organizations listed below are all national organizations. In addition to these, there are many state-based associations. Australian teachers are administered by state governments, and laws, curricula, and working conditions vary considerably between states.

Australian College of Educators
http://www.austcolled.com.au/
The Australian College of Education is an organization focusing on professional development for teachers at all levels. Among other activities, it implements PD programs and awards, conducts conferences, forums and symposia and publishes PL resources.

Australian College of Educators
Post Office Box 323
Deakin West, Australian Capital Territory 2600
Tel: (02) 6281 2306
Toll free: 1800 208 586
Fax: (02) 6281 2394
Email: ace@austcolled.com.au

Labor Unions

Australian Education Union
http://www.aeufederal.org.au/
This large, very active union has 165,000 members in government schools. The AEU produces policy and research on public education, offers professional support to members and holds numerous forums, meetings and conferences. Its work also encompasses issues in early childhood, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and indigenous education.

Australian Education Union
Federal Office
120 Clarendon Street
Southbank, Victoria 3006
Tel: +61 (3) 9693-1800
Fax: +61 (3) 9693-1805
Email: aeu@aeufederal.org.au

Periodicals

Australian Educator
http://www.aeufederal.org.au/Publications/AE/AEissues.html
This quarterly magazine is produced by the Australian Education Union and is provided to all AEU members, although anyone can subscribe. It covers issues of interest to government primary and secondary teachers and provides information on union campaigns and relevant government policies and legislation. Selected items from each issue are available online. There is a fee for an annual subscription.

Australian Education Union
120 Clarendon Street
Southbank, Victoria 3006
Tel: +61 (3) 9693-1800
Fax: +61 (3) 9693-1805
Email: aeu@aeufederal.org.au

This is just a short sample of what you’ll find in over 100 pages of information in the Australia Guide.