Have you taught for a year post training? Whats state are you going to? As they'll all vary. x

My experience of Australia has been that it can very difficult to get a job on a WHV. You have apply to each state seperately if you want to work there. My main experience is of WA, I found that there were not really any agencies but any relief work was organised by individual schools (they advertise for teachers to be part of a "pool") the main employer I had was simply a speculative C.V sent to HR at the school and luckily they kept asking for me back. 

One thing I will say now is that it is VERY difficult to get the money the superannuation owes you when you leave the counrty ( the way I am being treated at the moment I am suspecting them of being very dishonest in their dealings with me) Do notEXPECT your money back from superannuation. Unless you want to fight for it (which I am doing now).  Australian superannuation (pension) is compulsory.

Sorry about the slight negative slant of my post but I thought it was important that you know what can happen. In addition I have a friend there at the moment who is being paid more for washing dishes than an unpromoted teacher at the top of the pay scale and it is very expensive to live in Australia. 

Good luck, hope you find things more positive than I did.

I should probably add that the best time to find work is in terms 2 and 3 (from March onwards)

as winter is, just like the UK, when teachers in the schools start to phone in sick most. So if you need to work straight away theni'd only go out shortly before then.  As previously stated you need to apply to each state seperately (and for WA you had to get documents certified at the embassy-not just by specific professions) you will need a working with childerns check. Though this needs your employer to sign off on it so you will not be able to get it unless you are offered something (as long as they receive the receipt reasonably quickly they will allow you to work until this comes through)

If you don't manage to get teaching work easily rural Australia is where some decent money can be made by foreigners (though just for hospitality) or working in the mines also allows for some decent savings to be made.  Though I hope you don't have to go down this route and you manage to secure the type of work you want.  It's probably been mentioned but you can't work with the same employer for more than six months.

Interesting point about the super. Mine however seemed only to be going DOWN not up. By the time they had taxed my super and taken out 'voluntary' insurance (i think) contributions I could imagine it very quickly becoming zero. Though, i admit, you do seem to have a much better idea of the situation than I did. (only having been there a year myself)

lorri_r82:

  In addition I have a friend there at the moment who is being paid more for washing dishes than an unpromoted teacher at the top of the pay scale and it is very expensive to live in Australia. 

 

Can you pass on the name of your friend's employer? I'd be dead chuffed with getting over $350/day for washing dishes! :D