Holders of Independent Skilled Migration or Working Holiday visas, or New Zealand citizens

If you are a qualified teacher with the right to work in Australia and you are planning to move to WA, either permanently or on a working holiday, you can start the processes of looking for a job before you arrive here. Please note; NZ residents (who are not NZ citizens) who wish to teach in a public school will need to apply for a visa with work rights through the skilled migration program or a 457 visa.

To find out if you are eligible for a Working Holiday or Independent Skilled Migration visa visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Before you arrive in Western Australia

Step 1
Complete an application to register with the WA College of Teaching (WACOT):

W: WACOT

Please note that you will only be able to register with WACOT if you already have a visa giving you the right to work in Australia. It is advisable to contact WACOT before leaving your home country to determine which local police clearances are required.

Step 2
Complete an application form (this should be no more than eight weeks before your anticipated arrival in WA) and send it to Teaching WA by post, email or fax.

Note – you do not have to wait for a response from WACOT before submitting your application to Teaching WA.

After you arrive in Western Australia

Step 3
Contact WACOT to finalise your registration.

W: WACOT

Forward a certified copy of your WACOT Registration Certificate to Teaching WA by post, email or fax.

Step 4
Notify Teaching WA that you have arrived in Western Australia and are ready to start work. It is important that you also provide your local contact details. You will need to complete a Net Pay Authority form with all your banking and tax information to ensure you are paid promptly. You can download the form from:

W: Staffing Branch

Step 5
Attend an entry and orientation program. It is essential that you participate in this program to provide you with the necessary knowledge to start teaching in our schools.

The program provides two days of free professional development and support where presenters will take you through a range of areas including:

• the WA Curriculum Framework
• resources to support your teaching
• an accredited program for managing student behaviour
• cultural orientation and strategies to support Aboriginal students

There is also a ten day practical teaching assessment which will be conducted in you school.
Further details about the program and pre-course reading materials will be sent once you have confirmed your attendance.
To participate in this program you will require registration with the WA College of Teaching (WACOT) and have submitted your complete application for your temporary employee identification number to the Department.

Step 6
Once the entry and orientation program has been successfully completed your identification number will give you full authority to teach.

Step 7
Your ID number will allow you to complete a Placement Request form at:

W: Staffing Branch

Your Placement Request outlines where you are willing to teach and what you are qualified and prepared to teach. You can include as many schools and districts as you like, a wider selection increases your chances of being offered an appointment. You should be aware that, in general, jobs will only be available in rural and remote areas and on a full-time basis. You can also apply for jobs using the JobsWA website.