$35k Kindergarten Teacher Job in Australia

Following Australia’s focus in providing early quality education to its citizens and residence, the demand for highly skilled kindergarten teachers is high.

Roles of Kindergarten teachers

Children 4-6 years old are usually under the care of kindergarten teachers in Australia, teachers nurture and educate the kids.

Here are some of the roles of kindergarten teachers

• Ensuring the physical and emotional wellbeing of the children through availability of safe environment
• Designing activities that enhance learning, social development, and creativity enshrined in lesion plan
• Timely monitoring of child’s progress, and reporting same to the parents
• Teaching and inculcating foundations skills, using interactive and fun methods
• There’s an existing early learning framework in Australia, teachers are required to adhere to it, as well as the regulatory standards.

Qualifications and skills required

Kindergarten teachers in Australia required to possess the below skills;

Educational qualification

• Potential teachers should have a bachelors’ degree in Early Childhood Education, other qualifications recognized in Australia are acceptable.
• Diploma in early childhood education is acceptable

Professional accreditation

• Having a certification with a relevant teaching authority in your territory is necessary, such authority as; Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership is ideal.

Skills

• You need strong interpersonal and communication skills
• As a potential teacher in Australia, you need patience, creativity, and innate passion to work with children.
• Ability to deliver engaging and educational experiences.
• First aid and CPR certification is essential, as well as specific training in asthma and anaphylaxis management such as to ensure the health and safety of the children in your care.
• Working with children clearance, all educators must have a valid working clearance, to further ensure you meet the valid and necessary background checks to work with minors.
• As a family daycare educator, you are required to maintain the public liability insurance to ensure both you and the children in your care are protected.
• Beyond qualifications, educators must demonstrate they are passionate about working with children, and dedicated to providing the best possible care, and learning experiences.

Visa options to Australia

Common visa pathways to Australia involves but are not limited to;

1. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa: This visa offers a pathway to permanent residency, this can only happen if sponsored by an eligible employer.
2. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: Skilled workers are required to fill in-demand positions, usually sponsored by an employer.
3. Skilled Independent Visa: Designed for qualified teacher who meet the point-based requirements, however, do not need an employer to sponsor such visa.
4. Regional Skilled Migration Scheme Visa: This visa is suitable for roles in regional areas where there are strong demand for teachers.

Salary and Benefits

There’s a huge competitive salary for kindergarten teachers in Australia who are passionate about their job , however, packages varies due to qualification, location and individual experiences.

• Average salary: AUD 65,000 – AUD 90, 000 annually
• Additional benefits: There’s a room for professional development, flexible working arrangements, and relocation assistance where necessary.

How to apply for Kindergarten teacher job in Australia

1. Gather your documents

• Prepare your CV highlighting your experiences and qualifications
• Educational credentials
• References

2. Haunt for jobs

• Check government-approved employer lists for possible sponsorship opportunities
• Explore job boards such as; Indeed, SEEK, and specialized educational recruitment platforms.

3. Submit your job application

• Design your cover letter to match your role
• Be sure to highlight any experience working with the Australian child education, as well as a knowledge of Australian education framework.

4. Apply for visa if considered

In any case you are offered a teaching job in Australia, the employer/petitioner will provide additional guide and information on the visa process.

Why consider working as a kindergarten teacher in Australia

You will have access to resources, and professional development programs which enhance a supportive work environment in Australia.

Looking at diversity, there’s a multicultural setting that ensures your cohabiting and learning new culture. You have access to a dynamic and flexible work hour, ensuring your ability to adjust and manage your time across several tasks of interest.

Working in Australia as a kindergarten teacher opens the doors to living lawfully in the cities, ensuring you secure a permanent residency.

What you need to succeed as a kindergarten teacher

Strong understanding of child development: Recognize and respond to each child’s developmental needs with huge empathy and patience.

Organizational and communication skill: Plan engaging and entertaining activities and keep families informed of their child’s progress.

Safety conscious mindset: Maintain a high level of safety, hygiene, and child friendly environment at all times, indoors and outdoors.

Be committed to develop professionally: Participate in ongoing training to enhance your knowledge and skills in early childhood education.

Where to find Kindergarten teacher jobs in Australia

a. Job search websites

Kindly check the below job search websites for opportunities, including positions for early childhood or kindergarten teachers.

• Seek
• Indeed
• Jora
• Adzuna
• Gumtree, all of Australia domain extension

To tailor your search, use keywords like: kindergarten teacher

b. Australian government websites

• A government job board offering opportunities for teaching roles; jobactive
• Check websites for each state, and education department which usually contain openings in public schools, and kindergarten. These include, education.vic.gov. au, education.nsw.gov.au, qed.qld.gov.au

c. Early childhood education providers

• org.au
• edu.au
• edu.au

d. Recruitment agencies

• com.au
• com.au
• education

These agencies often offer opportunities in temporary, and contract roles.

e. Networking and professional associations

Join professional groups to connect with educators, attend conferences, workshop, or forums to connect with hiring managers, kindly check these websites;

• org.au
• org.au

Challenges of kindergarten teachers in Australia

• Adjusting to new culture, as well as finding oneself in a new education system comes with some inconvenience, one has to learn new culture, learn to readjust and adapt the new education system to perfectly understand the roles, and deliver a top-notch teaching to the minors, impacting the early childhood education in Australia.

• A potential teacher should be rest assured of pending cost of living in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, to adapt adequately, you may need to seek opportunities in cities with low or moderate cost of living as costs will impact your earnings considerably.

• Moving into a new system of education in Australia requires licensing and registration, it’s mandatory to meet certain requirements like in-service training, framework in early childhood education, as well as statutory licensing in the province to be suitable and qualify for a teaching position.

Pathway to permanent residency in Australia for teachers

The subclass 189 visa avails you immediate permanent residence in Australia. This is a point-based teacher migration to Australia visa, this goes to say you need to attend at least 65 PR points for teachers in Australia in the migration point test to qualify.

This also applies to subclass 190 visa, however, you need to be nominated by a state or territory government to qualify.

Rest assured you will be granted an additional 5 PR points for teachers in Australia on account of the nomination.

Selected teaching occupations may also qualify for a subclass 491 skilled work regional visa, which may be state or family sponsored depending on the teaching occupation.

The subclass 491 visa is also a point-tested visa, to apply and qualify for a subclass 491 visa, you will need to attain at least 65 PR points for teachers in Australia for the nomination sponsorship.

The term for a subclass 491 visa is 5 years, as a holder including any accompanying dependents, you must live, work, and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.

The subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during duration of the visa, as well entitled to enroll in Medicare, Australia public health system.

Having held the subclass 491 visa for three years, you will be eligible for permanent residency as a teacher through a subclass 191 permanent residence (skilled regional) visa, having met the specified requirements.

Employer sponsored skill visa

The range of skilled visa options that are available for selected teaching occupations includes the subclass 482 temporary skill shortage visa, an employer sponsored temporary visa which may be granted for up to four years. This consists of three visa streams namely;

• Short-term
• Medium-term and
• Labor agreement stream

The labor agreement stream includes nomination in regional areas of Australia under a designated area migration agreement. The subclass 482 visa provides a pathway to permanent residence with an employer nominated visa after two years.

Under this arrangement option, a sponsored teacher visa Australia is available for selected teaching occupations.

An occupation based on the STSOL, MLTSSL, or ROL currently provides pathway to subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme permanent residence visa after two years.

This goes to say that all TSS visa holders are eligible for permanent residency after 2 years under the TRT stream.

Employer Nominated Skilled Visa

Applicants seeking an employer nominated permanent residence visa who are preferred to commit to remaining with their nominating employer for at least two years from visa grant may consider a subclass 186 employer nomination scheme visa.

The subclass 186 employer nominated visa comprises of Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and labor agreement stream.

The TRT option provides a pathway to permanent residence for all TSS subclass 482 visa holders after two years.

This pathway is also available under the labor agreement stream in certain instances. The Direct Entry stream is for eligible applicants who automatically qualify for permanent residence.

Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

The subclass 494 skilled employer sponsored regional visa is a provisional visa which provides pathway to permanent residence for teacher immigration Australia with the subclass 191 permanent residence vias after three years if the applicant meets specified requirements at that time.

The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years.

A SESR visa holder is required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. They can travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the visa term. They are also entitled to enroll in Medicare.

Under this employer sponsored skilled regional visa option, a teacher visa Australia is available for teaching occupations.

Teaching occupations that may qualify for a teacher visa Australia

For migration law purposes, each nomination occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations.

The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation.

Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for teachers in Australia.

The following occupational categories for teachers contained in ANZSCO may be nominated for teacher migration to Australia;

• School Teachers (minor group 241)
• Tertiary Education Teachers (minor group 242)
• Miscellaneous Education Professionals (minor group 249)

Are kindergarten teachers in demand in Australia?

Kindergarten teaching is a booming sector with a wealth of future job opportunities. Between 2021-2026, demand for teachers is expected to grow a whooping 21.6%, equivalent to an additional 10,600 jobs nationwide.

How much does a kindergarten teacher earn in Australia?

The average annual salary for kindergarten teacher jobs in Australia ranges from $85,000 to $90,000.

What qualifications do I need to be a kindergarten teacher in Australia

To become a qualified kindergarten teacher in Australia, you must complete a teaching degree, such as a Bachelor of Education or an equivalent.

This qualification usually takes 3-4 years of full-time study to complete and will include work placement to ensure you receive some practical training before graduating.

Can a foreigner be a teacher in Australia?

Overseas teachers living in Australia with working rights can also apply for the fixed-term opportunities pool or graduate teacher pool.

These pools offer fixed term and permanent opportunities to teach throughout the states in all application.

Conclusion

Kindergarten teacher in Australia can be a rewarding career if you are passionate about embracing new opportunities and career challenges, providing you a chance to contribute immensely to the Australian early childhood education.

In return, you enjoy a high quality of life in a welcoming country with divergent culture, adaptive lifestyle, and economic prosperity.