Connecting with schools for relief teaching opportunities

• If you are already registered, you can connect with schools on ClassCoverExternal link and receive job notifications through ClassCover jobsExternal link.
• If you are not yet registered, you can sign up for free by following the steps outlined in the New to ClassCover section below.
• Reach out to the school via email or phone, even if you have connected via ClassCover.
• Check and subscribe to JobFeed to receive notifications for temporary relief teaching roles.
• Consider joining the Casual Teacher Viva EngageExternal link community to connect with colleagues across the department, ask questions, share ideas, and receive notifications about upcoming relief teaching opportunities.

Using ClassCover for relief teaching opportunities

ClassCoverExternal link is the department's preferred solution for booking casual teachers. Follow these steps to maximise your casual teaching opportunities, showcase your skills and build connections with schools.

Enhance your ClassCover profile

• Include the following information in your ClassCover profileExternal link:
  • teaching experience
  • key learning areas and any additional subjects you are willing to teach, for example, special needs education
  • contact details
  • Working with Children Check (WWCC)External link number and expiry date
  • Approval to Teach
  • CV and any other relevant certification or documentation
  • references.
• Personalise your profile with a photo so schools can easily recognise you.
• Indicate your teaching level (e.g., primary or secondary) so that schools can identify you when searching by teaching level.
• Ensure your calendar is up to date with your availability so that schools know when you are available to be engaged.
• Consider adding a personalised introduction video to your ClassCover profile to showcase your skills and stand out to prospective schools.

Verify your profile with the NSW Department of Education

Teachers who wish to teach at NSW public schools are required to enter and verify their data with the department. The verification status is integrated with the department's system and is designed as a time-saving tool for all NSW public schools to check that a teacher is accredited, approved to teach, and has completed all required mandatory training (staff only).

To learn more about verification status, visit the ClassCover websiteExternal link.

ClassCover etiquette tips and tricks to create connections with schools

• Send requests to join a school’sExternal link list.
• Accept schools' invitations to join their school list as soon as possible.
• Turn on ClassCover job alerts via your smartphoneExternal link and/or on ClassCover websiteExternal link.
• Respond promptly to booking requests - you can do this either via the ClassCover appExternal link on your smartphone, SMS, or on the ClassCover website.
• Turn off your profileExternal link when you are on leave or on a temporary contract.

Consider broadening your experience and reach by working with new schools

• Add any additional subjects you are willing to teach outside your Key Learning Areas, such as special needs education, to your ClassCover profile.
• Consider reasonable travel time from your location and make your selection of schools as wide as possible when requesting to join a school’s list.
• If you are relocating to a new area, we recommend that you communicate with schools in the new location by email so that the schools can accept your ClassCover request to join their school’s list.

Positive school connections – etiquette and expectations

To promote best practices for casual teachers and increase their opportunities for receiving repeat invitations from schools, we recommend the following:

• Arrive early to ensure ample time to:
  • meet with the school staff
  • familiarise yourself with the environment
  • access resources and be classroom-ready
  • undertake school induction if it is your first engagement.
• Dress professionally.
• Leave a detailed handover note on the classes delivered and any relevant student information.

Casual teacher information sessions

For interactive information on enhancing your ClassCover profile to optimise school bookings and build positive connections with schools to boost employment, you can watch the recordings from the Term 4, 2024 and Term 1, 2025 casual teacher information sessions (CTIS) (staff only). If you do not yet have a department login, you can access these recordings on Brightcove: Term 4, 2024 CTISExternal link and Term 1, 2025 CTISExternal link.

Mandatory training and professional development

Please visit Casual and temporary teaching webpage for further information. ClassCover allows you and schools to confirm your mandatory training status at the point of booking.

New to ClassCover

If you are not currently using ClassCover, we encourage you to register and explore the platform for free by following the steps below.

Resources

Further information for teachers on the department's website:

• Casual and temporary teaching (nsw.gov.au)
• Step-by-step guide to becoming a teacher in a NSW public school

Information for teachers on ClassCover website:

• Teachers: Using ClassCover | ClassCover Support (intercom.help)External link