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Teach For Australia

4.6
  • 100 - 500 employees

Teach For Australia Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Education & Training

What it does: An inspiring non-profit organisation that fights educational inequity

Staff stats: Numbers vary, but we’re looking to place around 250 Associates in 2023

The good bits: Social impact, pay, Masters qualification, one-to-one mentoring & coaching and being part of a great community 

The not-so-good bits: Can involve relocation, juggling workloads

Hiring grads with degrees in Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences; Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; Law & Legal Studies; Sciences – but open to others.

The Teach For Australia story

We recruit Australia's future leaders into the classroom to inspire, connect and empower. Our teachers are known as Associates, and they make for a truly passionate community of young professionals looking to be the change they want to see in the world.

Partnering exclusively with secondary schools serving low socioeconomic communities, we work in the regions and communities that need support the most, making an impact and changing lives every day – while the graduates earn a Master’s in Teaching over the course of two years.

Better still, Teach For Australia’s award-winning Leadership Development Program provides an employment-based pathway into teaching, developing highly effective teachers and leaders along the way.

The organisation is part of the global Teach For All network of over 60 independent, locally led and funded partner organisations with a shared vision for expanded educational opportunities in their countries.

The culture

Through the Leadership Development Program, Associates can learn the necessary skills to lead effectively both inside and outside the classroom, in a supportive and encouraging environment where they’ll get to practice these skills every day. 

Following their two-year commitment, Associates remain connected to the national network, continuing to work towards educational equity through teaching and leading in schools, innovating to solve problems in education, supporting low socioeconomic communities and influencing education policy.

Social contribution

In ten years, Teach For Australia has placed more than 1200 Associates into 200 schools, ultimately helping to change the lives of over 250,000 students. Their stated goal as a collective force—educators, advocates, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community members— is to strive for the aspirations of students and families.

Alumni feedback:

"There’s no other graduate program that forces you to confront and actively work on your own strengths and weaknesses in such an intense and intentional way."

Ramya Madhavan

"Once you become an Associate, you’ll always be part of the Teach For Australia family. We’re all working for the same purpose." 

Shane Woon

"Every year, more Alumni are taking up positions which allow them to raise the profile of education and how important it is to Australia’s future."

Edwina Dohle

"Without Teach For Australia, I don’t feel that my leadership skills would have been developed to a point where I’d be willing and ready to take on an Assistant Principal role in such a short time."

 Adam Ross

"Teach For Australia is the best pathway that you could take out of university. You’ll grow as a person while working to combat a critical problem for this country."

Saul Walkerman

Career prospects

Upon completion of the program, you’ll be awarded a nationally accredited Master of Teaching (Secondary)(Leading Learning) and become part of the national Teach For Australia and global Teach For All Alumni networks.

Many TFA Associates end up in leadership positions in schools either during or after the program. It's essential though, that our Associates first and foremost consolidate their teaching practice to ensure students in our communities are given every opportunity to achieve their potential. 

Alumni continue to work collectively with each other to strive for improved outcomes for all children. So, it won't just be life-changing for you – but for many of the young people you encounter.

The vibe of the place

Associates share Teach For Australia’s vision of education as a powerful circuit breaker. You can expect to have an unforgettable experience that will be exhausting, fulfilling, inspiring (and sometimes quite frustrating), often all at the same time! No two days are ever the same, and it’s probably one of the most fulfilling roles you’ll ever undertake. It is a truly life-changing experience.

From the Employer

As it stands, not every child in Australia has access to the education they deserve: children from the lowest-income households are on average three years behind in school. Teach For Australia seeks to break the cycle of educational inequity, to level the playing field for young people across Australia. As an Associate in our award-winning Leadership Development Program, you’ll teach subject areas directly related to your previous studies – and you’ll become part of a dedicated community committed to tackling educational inequity.

Over two years, you will:

  • Teach at a school serving a low socioeconomic community, with full salary and benefits;
  • Earn a Master of Teaching (Secondary) (Leading Learning) through ACU on an assisted scholarship;
  • Receive one-on-one coaching and mentoring to accelerate personal, professional and academic growth.

As a leader in the classroom, you’ll share your passions with young people and act as a role model and mentor. You’ll develop the skills and experience to enable you to lead effectively, with the opportunity to make a tangible positive impact on students, schools and communities – every single day.

Following the program, whether you continue teaching or aspire to a career in business, policy, innovation or elsewhere, Teach For Australia will continue to inspire, connect and empower you to lead change.

Minimum eligibility: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree (all disciplines except Education)
  • Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident

Hiring from all degrees except Education. Maths, Physics, Engineering, Science, English/Literature and LOTE degree holders are especially encouraged to apply.

Position description

Note that we currently place in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and Northern Territory. We close learning areas progressively as we meet demand.

Recruitment Process

Successful candidates become ‘Associates’ and commit to a two-year period teaching in a school serving a low socioeconomic community while undertaking a Master of Teaching (Secondary)(Leading Learning) at the same time.

Associates come from all sorts of academic and professional backgrounds. They’re well-rounded and passionate individuals who all have the qualities to create change. Importantly, they are advocates for social justice, helping to address educational inequality.

What qualifications do you need?
Candidates must have completed (or be in the final stage of completing) at least a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline (other than education) by the end of the year. They must have completed a major study in a learning area taught at high school (i.e., maths, English, science, geography, history, foreign languages, music, or art, for example).

What’s the process?
The process starts with an application on the Teach For Australia website. After this, candidates progress through a phone interview, an online assessment of verbal and numerical skills, a Selection Day involving group assessment activities and a one-on-one interview.

Associates are matched to a Teach For Australia partner school to fill an actual vacancy and to meet the unique needs of each school’s profile, curriculum, subjects and culture.

You’ll earn while you learn. Teach For Australia currently places Associates in schools across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. You'll become a key member of a close-knit community.

The program begins with 13 weeks of intensive online and in-residence training, starting in November. Associates learn about both the practice and theory of teaching, with a particular focus on working in disadvantaged contexts. Associates are given access to teacher coaches, an in-school mentor and an academic mentor.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Starting Salary: $56,000-$66,000 AUD (depending on location, plus super)

Keep in mind that actual salaries vary, as Associates are employed directly by the relevant state or territory government department or directorate or school, according to their placement.

Most program costs are covered by a scholarship from Teach For Australia, but Associates may still need to contribute a portion of the overall cost of their qualification. FEE-HELP is available to those who are eligible.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.6
Overall score based on 7 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.9
Diversity
9.6
Satisfaction
9.7
Management
9.7
Recruitment
9.9
Diversity
9.6
Satisfaction
9.7
Management
9.7
Recruitment
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Working alongside like-minded people, great colleagues, great leadership.
  • There are many levels of support, and there is genuine care that is felt from the organisation to us.
  • Doing my masters while working.
  • A lot of support and understanding. It feels like everyone is very real and takes things on practically as opposed to being held down by rules.
  • The culture is very supportive. Changing careers can be very stressful, but I have found the transition to be seamless because of the training and mentorship offered by TFA.
  • The impact I am able to have towards educational equity.
  • High workload and no breaks for the duration of the 2-year program.
  • Challenging.
  • The small stipend covers the first 3 months of training before full employment begins.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities across Australia
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
G
General Skills & Pathways
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania
Lead and teach from day one through the Teach For Australia Leadership Development Program. Take on educational inequity, while earning your Masters.
Applications Close
7 Apr 2024
Start Date
1 Nov 2024 - 30 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 62,000 - 65,000 / Year

Graduate Job

Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and Northern Territory
Lead and teach from day one through the Teach For Australia Leadership Development Program. Take on educational inequity, while earning your Masters.
Applications Close
7 Apr 2024
Start Date
1 Nov 2024 - 30 Nov 2024
Salary
AUD 62,000 - 65,000 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
I love seeing or hearing all the strange and wonderful things kids do when they don’t think you are watching.

Amelia Matthews

  • Graduate stories
I love seeing or hearing all the strange and wonderful things kids do when they don’t think you are watching.

Amelia Matthews

  • Graduate stories
You are an adviser, a counsellor, a cheerleader, a boundary-setter, and on any given day you can be both the best and worst person in the world (if your students had any say, that is!).

Amanda Neilson

  • Graduate stories
You are an adviser, a counsellor, a cheerleader, a boundary-setter, and on any given day you can be both the best and worst person in the world (if your students had any say, that is!).

Amanda Neilson

  • Graduate stories
I love seeing or hearing all the strange and wonderful things kids do when they don’t think you are watching.

Amelia Matthews

  • Graduate stories
I love seeing or hearing all the strange and wonderful things kids do when they don’t think you are watching.

Amelia Matthews

  • Graduate stories
You are an adviser, a counsellor, a cheerleader, a boundary-setter, and on any given day you can be both the best and worst person in the world (if your students had any say, that is!).

Amanda Neilson

  • Graduate stories
You are an adviser, a counsellor, a cheerleader, a boundary-setter, and on any given day you can be both the best and worst person in the world (if your students had any say, that is!).

Amanda Neilson


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Steph Thompson

Steph Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Applied) and a Bachelor of Business (Management) from RMIT University in 2019 and is now working as a Science Teacher at Teach for Australia.
  • Day in the life

Steph Thompson

Steph Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Applied) and a Bachelor of Business (Management) from RMIT University in 2019 and is now working as a Science Teacher at Teach for Australia.
  • Day in the life

Mickie Tanna

A typical lesson involves a balance of tasks that are teacher-directed (e.g. examples on the board, discussing a new concept with the whole class) and student-directed (e.g. independent practice or collaborative work in their table groups).
  • Day in the life

Mickie Tanna

A typical lesson involves a balance of tasks that are teacher-directed (e.g. examples on the board, discussing a new concept with the whole class) and student-directed (e.g. independent practice or collaborative work in their table groups).
  • Day in the life

Steph Thompson

Steph Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Applied) and a Bachelor of Business (Management) from RMIT University in 2019 and is now working as a Science Teacher at Teach for Australia.
  • Day in the life

Steph Thompson

Steph Thompson graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Applied) and a Bachelor of Business (Management) from RMIT University in 2019 and is now working as a Science Teacher at Teach for Australia.
  • Day in the life

Mickie Tanna

A typical lesson involves a balance of tasks that are teacher-directed (e.g. examples on the board, discussing a new concept with the whole class) and student-directed (e.g. independent practice or collaborative work in their table groups).
  • Day in the life

Mickie Tanna

A typical lesson involves a balance of tasks that are teacher-directed (e.g. examples on the board, discussing a new concept with the whole class) and student-directed (e.g. independent practice or collaborative work in their table groups).

Videos


Alternative careers with an engineering degree

Not sure what you want to do with your engineering degree when you graduate? Join us as we meet with leading employers in 'non-traditional' careers and learn why they hire engineering graduates, what you can expect to do on the job, and how you can apply

Teach for Australia Live Q&A 2022

Watch Nick (Recruitment Team Manager at TFA) answer your questions about their graduate program!

Alternative careers with an engineering degree

Not sure what you want to do with your engineering degree when you graduate? Join us as we meet with leading employers in 'non-traditional' careers and learn why they hire engineering graduates, what you can expect to do on the job, and how you can apply

Teach for Australia Live Q&A 2022

Watch Nick (Recruitment Team Manager at TFA) answer your questions about their graduate program!

Advice


Is there a certain person I should address my cover letter or application to?

The application itself is an online form, so it's not a cover-letter-and-CV-style situation. 

When does Teach for Australia need the approval for the work rights?

You should have permanent residency in place by the time the initial intensive starts in November.

Is there a certain person I should address my cover letter or application to?

The application itself is an online form, so it's not a cover-letter-and-CV-style situation. 

When does Teach for Australia need the approval for the work rights?

You should have permanent residency in place by the time the initial intensive starts in November.

Upcoming Events


  • Mar
  • 19
Teach For Australia

UWA Careers Fair

Tue 19 Mar 2024, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Make inspiring your day job with our Leadership Development Program.