Filipino Teachers in Australia

AspireAU21 · December 2016

@sunflower ano po ba yung certificate III for childcare? pwede po ba makapagwork ang wife ko habang nagstudy? kailangan pa din po ba ng IELTS? Thanks again! Happy new year!

sunflower · December 2016

@AspireAU21
Bale merong tinatawag na AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) levels of study, and they are as follows:

Level 1 – Certificate I
Level 2 – Certificate II
Level 3 – Certificate III
Level 4 – Certificate IV
Level 5 – Diploma
Level 6 – Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
Level 7 – Bachelor Degree
Level 8 – Bachelor Honours Degree,
Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Level 9 – Masters Degree
Level 10 – Doctoral Degree

So as you can see, Certificate III is called the way it is because it is the 3rd level of qualification, mas mababa siya sa Cert IV, Diploma, etc. But studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood will enable someone to work as:

Childhood Educator or Assistant Educator
Playgroup Supervisor
Preschool Aide
Family Day Care Educator
Nanny
Outside School Hours Care Assistant
Recreation Assistant

And yes, your wife can study her Cert III while working in an early childhood setting.

She can study her Certificate III in Early Childhood through different registered training organisations, such as Tafe. Read more here: http://tafebrisbane.edu.au/course/10439/certificate-iii-early-childhood-education-care-online

Regarding the proof of English proficiency, you'll have to call up Tafe or other registered training organisations to ask. I don't think I showed my IELTS results when I enrolled.

Hope this information helped!

krole · January 2017

Hello bago lang po.. ask ko lang po sna kung un ielts lang ang pwede itake. may nabasa po kase Ko pte acad.. ano po ba un? Mas madami daw pumapasa

Seulange · January 2017

@krole Hello! Other accepted English proficiency tests for teacher registration are ISLPR and PEAT. But, for migration purposes (as a teacher), I believe you have to take the academic version of IELTS and get minimum of 7 in reading and writing and 8 in speaking and listening.

krole · January 2017

Un po ba peat result na pumasa accept nila sa assessment..pasensya na po naguguluhan po ako..kauwe ko lang den po from oz visit visa lang..konti plang nababsa ko..plan ko po sna bumalik australia kahit po di na teaching job pasukan work.. dami po kase cash on hand job dun..independent without sponsor po sna kaso may assessment at skill select at magpasa ng interest at rwquirements.at ielts exam di ko po malaman kung ano unahin..pra malaman kung qualified..nagpunta ko ielts review center kahapon pra maginquire tinatanong ako depende dw kase kung alin general training o academic..

krole · January 2017

Another thing po elementary teacher po ako. 10 yrss experience. wla sa sol..pano po un. Pero ksma sa consolidated..pde po kya ako mag paasses sa pre elem..nag handle po ako grade 1 pupils..(7 yrs) age 5-8..

sunflower · January 2017

@krole
Hello! Yes, IELTS-Academic is the first step. You'll have to acquire a minimum of 8.0 in the Speaking and Listening components and a minimum of 7.0 in the Reading and Writing components.

Also, AITSL (the assessment body for teacher migration) will consider all teaching-related experience. So kahit Elementary Education ang degree mo, pwede ka parin mag-apply for Pre-Primary School Teacher.

Good luck!

krole · January 2017

Thanks for the info..I can now move on..

Celeana · January 2017

Hi! Bago lang po ako, tanong ko lang po, which is better po to have a high chance na makapagwork or makapagturo sa oz? Mag-aral ako dyan ng early childhood or mag.apply or magpa-assess sa AISTL?

Graduate po ako ng BEEd and I am taking up my MA ng early childhood, I have 3 yrs teaching in grade 4 and 1 year sa kinder.

PIPO · February 2017

Hi, just want to ask about the difference between initial teacher education and supervised teaching practice. What would be the documents needed to prove those two?

Thanks a lot.

Seulange · March 2017

@Celeana Hello. Since you already have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and experience in teaching, I personally think it would be better to get assessed then migrate here as a permanent resident. In terms of finding a job, they prefer those who are permanent residents or citizens.

Seulange · March 2017

@PIPO Hello. Initial teacher education documents would mean your transcript of records and diploma. A proof that you have finished a degree in education. Document to provide for supervised teaching is just a certificate from your university that you have undergone practicum/ practice teaching for 45 days. It should state what levels you have taught and subject/s.

PIPO · March 2017

@Seulange thanks for this.

mlv051714 · March 2017

Hi, ask ko lang if pasok po ito for secondary school teacher. Engr po undergrad, took up units for education and finished master of arts in teaching mathematics currently on dissertation phd in mathematics educ LET passer. 8 yrs college instructor sa college of education ngayon po working as SHS teacher dito sa KSA. Medyo complicated kaya ndi ko po sure if pwede? any idea or help? Thanks

Seulange · March 2017

@mlv051714 Hello. I personally think you have a chance at getting a positive assessment. Based on AITSL, initial teacher education qualification is the qualification required to teach in an early childhood (pre-primary school), primary or secondary school classroom. The initial teacher education qualification must involve at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) and be specific to the stage of schooling of the nominated occupation. The final academic transcript for the initial teacher qualification must include a program of professional studies in education including discipline-specific curriculum, pedagogical studies, general education studies and supervised teaching practice relevant to the age range of the students for the occupation you have nominated. Since you have masters of arts in teaching, I think you can get a positive assessment. And also, you need proof of 45 days of supervised teaching (practicum).

mlv051714 · March 2017

@seulange thanks sa pagsagot. Clarify ko lang po so ung MAT lang po sa tor ang ipapaevaluate ko. Paano po kaya ung 45 days supervised teaching? my idea po ba dito ung mga ndi educatuon graduates?

Seulange · March 2017

@mlv051714 Teaching-related degree lang kailangan mong ipaevaluate. And 45 days supervised teaching is mandatory.

Sai · March 2017

Hello. I just want to share to you my experience in applying for ECE teacher in Australia. This might help you especially those who struggle to get 8.0 in their IELTS speaking sub-test. I just had my visa granted today (Visa 457) and I am set to go to Australia by the 3rd week of April. Here is my timeline:

April-May 2016: IELTS Review
May 21, 2016: Took the IELTS (R-9 L-8.5 S-7.5 W-7 OBS-8)
June 24, 2016: Passed requirements to ACECQA for qualifications assessment
June 30, 2016: ACECQA accepted requirements
August 30, 2016: Received letter outcome (Qualifications Equivalent to approved ECE Qualifacations in Australia)
September-October 2016: Applied for different jobs online (Some emailed back but asked for a teacher registration)
-Tried to register at VIT, did not accept due to my speaking subtest
November 3, 2016: Took another IELTS (R-8.5 L-9 S-7 W- 7 OBS-8)
November 2016: Applied for sponsorship in Queensland and West Australia (QLD, no teacher registration required)
December 8, 2016: Interview with employer
December 15, 2016: Received Job Offer
December 22, 2016: Revieved Offer Letter and Contract
January 9, 2017: Passed all requirements to my immigration agent given by my emplouer
Feb. 19, 2017: Visa lodgement (Visa 457)
March 7, 2017: Medical Examination
March 15, 2017: VISA GRANTED

Visa 457, unlike Visa 189 and 187, is only a temporary visa that allows you to work with a sponsor in Australia for 4 years and to take your dependents with you with the same work rights. I actually applied with my de facto partner and thankfully, we'll be coming to Australia together. By the 4th year, they can renew you for another temporary or permanent visa. It's much cheaper than Visa 189 as we only paid AUD2,198.68 for both me and my partner and its processing time is much faster since they claimed to have it done in 4-8 weeks. Ours took 4 weeks.

Here's the catch, most sposorships are needed in rural areas and not in major cities. I got mine in Gladstone, QLD. It's not really a major issue for me but for those who've set their eyes on the major cities, it might be a problem since it's really hard to find one there.

So that's my experience. I'm still actually overwhelmed at how fast things are going but I am fully aware that this is a great opportunity and I am excited to work in Australia.

If you have any other questions, I would very much happy to help as the company I'll be working for has a good referral program.

I truly believe in God's perfect time.

Seulange · March 2017

@Sai Congratulations and good luck on your big move.

sunflower · March 2017

@Sai
That's great news! Congratulations! Your experience with going through the Visa 457 route will also offer another option for our aspiring kababayans who want to teach in Australia. Good luck on your big move and do keep us updated in the forum!

By the way, would it be possible for you to share with us what your qualification is and how ACECQA deemed it equivalent to an ECE despite not having a teacher qualification?

Sai · March 2017

@sunflower Thank you! The whole ordeal was stressful but I know it's going to be worth it.

Regarding my qualifications, I am a BEED- Major in Preschool Education graduate. ACECQA didn't even look for an Australian teacher registration from me. After having a positive assessment from ACECQA, they've sent me a letter outlining why they came up with the decision. They've assessed me in two major categories:
A. Qualifications for assessment: I've provided my TOR and Diploma fron UST.

B. Assessment against the ACECQA guidelines

-QUALIFICATION LEVEL: Levelled using the Country Education Profile. UST is comparable to an AQF Level 7 (4-Year Bachelors) that's why I met the minimum requirement.

-AGE FOCUS OF QUALIFICATIONS: They took a look at UST's early childhood curriculum as well as my professional experience covering the birth to five age range. I passed course descriptions of my courses in college.

-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE DURING QUALIFICATION: This is the supervised teaching or practicum. It should include 10 days experience with kids ages 0-2 y/o and 70 days experience with 3-5 y/o. I passed a practicum certification. They also asked for an additional requirement; that is, I have to provide a reference letter from my employer that I was able to handle children from 0-2 age range since I didn't have a supervised teaching with those ages.

-CURRICULUM CONTENT OF THE QUALIFICATION: Again, they took a look at my TOR and course descriptions. They highligted 3 important courses in my qualifications: Introduction to Preschool Education, Principles of Teaching and Language and Numeracy for Young Children.

-ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: My IELTS TRF (R-9, L-8.5, S-7.5, W-7, OBS- 8) Since my speaking subtest did not reach their requirement, I was asked to provide another reference letter from my employer or university. They have to indicate how I make use of the English language in my work place or in school and if they believe I am proficient enough to use the language.

My advise to everyone is simple, do not be afraid to ask questions from ACECQA. You just have to tell them your circumstances and they are very much accommodating to answer your questions. They're much more considerate than the teacher registration institutions in each state. Hehe. (Bitter parin ako sa VIT).

My post is too long. I hope you didn't get tired of reading it. Hehe.

sunflower · March 2017

@Sai
Given your explanation, it does sound right that you were granted an equivalent qualification. This is really wonderful to hear! Anyway, now that you are at the final stage, I would suggest that you read up about the Early Years Learning Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines prior to your work here in Queensland since the preschool system here is quite different from the preschool system in the Philippines. But in saying that, I do like Australia's system because the children get to be children before going to the big school. Hopefully you'll enjoy working in the field! Congratulations again on your visa!

Sai · March 2017

@sunflower Thank you. Thank you. You know I've been following your posts here in PinoyAu since last year. You were a great help to me din in a way. :-) I've started reading the EYLF already, grabe, all my interview questions were based on it. Good thing, I reviewed before hand.

BTW, how did you apply for a blue card there in QLD? I am required to get one kaya lang I can't pass it yet kasi it needs a signature from one of the representatives of the organization in Part F (Organization Declaration).

sunflower · March 2017

@Sai
Awww, thank you! Now, it's your turn to pass on your knowledge regarding the process to aspiring teachers who need help too.

So, this is the general form: https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/pdf/forms/DJAG001-BC-Blue-card-application.pdf

Once, you've arrived in Australia, fill out Part D (you do need to indicate an Australian residential address, so wait until you're there). Then, you'll have to give the form to your company since they'll fill out Parts A - C, E and F. They'll also submit the form for you (you'll have to ask them if the company will cover the $84.25 blue card processing fee). Once your form is approved, your company will receive an email/letter from the Blue Card Services and then your card will be posted to you in the address you've indicated in the form.

Also, take note that in Part E, you'll have to show them proof of identity, so you'll have to apply for Australian government ID cards (i.e. Medicare card, Proof of Age Card, Australian Drivers Licence, Australian Bank Card) as soon as possible.

Sai · March 2017

@sunflower Thank you very much. Will take note of this.

Celeana · March 2017

Hi! I hope you could help me.
I took up Bachelors of Elementary Education in PNU and I am taking up my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Last 3 units nalang po ako for practicum. Do you think my MA units will be credited by oz? I can finish the academic requirements, wala nga lang thesis. I hope you could help me with this.

Sai · March 2017

@Celeana If you want to be qualified by ACECQA as an early childhood teacher, they will consider all your completed qualifications in the PH- meaning they will take a look at both your undergrad and masters qualifications.

jas0715 · March 2017

Hello po. I'm a newbie here. I have been following this forum for quite sometime already. Ask ko lng po for my husband kasi sya ung magiging primary applicant. We are currently here in Singapore. He is a Secondary School teacher in Philippines way back 2004-2008, 2010-2011 but never got a chance to get a teaching job here in SG, so end up from 2012 up to now wala na syang teaching experiences pero ung current job nya ngayon is Youth Counselor. He is scheduled to retake IELTS kasi ung existing IELTS (Academic) nya doesn't meet the required score kung sana General pasok sya. Pwede pa din ba kami pag lodge ng EOI. Salamat po

sunflower · March 2017

@jas0715
Hi! If you're aiming for Visa 189 or 190, do a points test first and see if you have enough points to forego the IELTS, otherwise wait for his IELTS retest results first.