Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program

The Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program - Bachelor of Education (Technological and Applied Studies) pathway is seeking industry professionals and tradespeople with significant subject expertise and experience to transition into secondary teaching. To be eligible applicants must:

1. be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

2. be an industry professional with relevant industry experience

3. intend to complete a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with the subject specialisation of Technological and Applied Studies, including design and technology plus one of the following:

• industrial technology (timber and metal)
• food technology
• agriculture (available at CSU only).

4. be willing to complete their studies at Charles Sturt University (CSU) or the University of Newcastle (UoN) and meet their entry requirements including:

a. Charles Sturt University

i. A minimum of 7 years relevant industry experience

ii. Industrial Technology (have completed a relevant apprenticeship or equivalent)

iii. Food Technology [have completed a relevant apprenticeship or equivalent OR have completed an Associate Diploma/Diploma in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)/Food Science through a Registered Training Organisation]

iv. Agricultural Technology (have completed a relevant accredited two-year Associate Diploma through a Registered Training Organisation).

b. University of Newcastle

i. A Diploma or Advanced Diploma (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 5 or 6). This may entitle applicants to Recognition of Prior Learning which could enable them to complete their degree in less time. This is dependent upon teaching area/s chosen in the program and will be evaluated by the university's admissions team, view the website for more information.

5. be willing to begin the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in early 2024 and complete their degree within 3 to 3.5 years

6. be willing to accept an appointment as a permanent full-time teacher in a NSW public school on completion of their studies and agree to serve for a minimum of three years

7. Applicants may be eligible for recognition of prior learning that will enable them to complete their degree in less time, which will be assessed and determined by the universities through the application process.

The universities will assess the applicant's qualifications and determine eligibility for entry into the Bachelor of Education program. In certain circumstances, universities may deem a participant eligible based on recognition of prior learning and give advanced standing.

For more information on eligibility please reach out to:

• Dr Lincoln Gill at Charles Sturt University via email on LGill@csu.edu.au
• Associate Professor Robert Parkes at University of Newcastle via email on secondary-education@newcastle.edu.au.

To help meet the needs of NSW public schools now and into the future, the program is supporting experienced professionals to become teachers by completing their Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in a teaching area of demand.

Applicants that are already qualified teachers, are encouraged to apply for approval to teach in NSW public schools. Contact the Teacher Approvals team or call 1300 300 498.

The bachelor entry stream will be focused on the high-demand teaching area of Technological and Applied Studies, specifically a combination of design and technology with ONE of: Industrial Technology (timber and metal), Food Technology or Agriculture (available at CSU only).  ​

Applicants who have completed recognised qualifications may be eligible for recognition of prior learning, which will be assessed and determined by the universities through the application process.

Some examples of relevant industries for Technological and Applied Studies may include, but are not limited to:

• Industrial Technology: trades, e.g., carpentry, furniture or cabinet making, metal work, engineering, fabrication, aeronautical, plumbing, electrical (avionics, refrigeration) or automotive mechanical.

• Food Technology: chef, baker or pastry chef.
  

In addition to applying for the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program applicants may also be eligible to apply for other scholarships the department has to offer. If applicants are successful for two scholarship programs, they will be required to select which program best suits their path.

Please visit the Get Paid to Study webpage for further information about other scholarship opportunities.

Successful applicants are required to sign a Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Scholarship Deed with the department committing them to:

• Accepting an appointment as an educational paraprofessional (on a part-time basis) in a NSW public school during their teacher education program

• Satisfying the department’s recruitment procedures and requirements. During the final year of study, participants are required to apply for conditional accreditation with NESA and then submit an online  application for approval to teach, which will include a behavioural interview

• Accepting an appointment as a permanent full-time teacher in a NSW public school in an agreed location on completion of their studies and remain employed in a permanent position for a minimum of three years.
  

Yes, existing initial teacher education (ITE) students who meet the standard eligibility requirements of the program are welcome to apply. We recommend that applicants be within the first 50% of their teaching degree, however applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

ITE student applicants will receive the same financial and logistical support as applicants yet to commence their studies. Placement as an educational paraprofessional may occur earlier than six to nine months following commencement on the program, depending on the percentage of studies already completed. The same maximum paraprofessional placement duration is applicable (i.e. 18 months for the master’s pathway at three days per week and 24 months for the bachelor’s pathway at two days per week). ITE student applicants are still required to complete at least two terms of paraprofessional placement during the program.

ITE students who already have their conditional teaching accreditation from NESA are not eligible to apply for the program.

Program name: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Industry Entry Program

Program start date: February 2024

Subject specialisation: Technological and Applied Studies with a core specialisation in Design and Technology plus one of:

• Industrial Technology (timber and metal)
• Food Technology
• Agriculture.

Course length: Between 3 to 3.5 years, subject to recognition of prior learning.

Delivery mode: Predominately online.

Eligibility:

• A minimum of 7 years relevant industry experience
• If undertaking:
  • Industrial Technology - have completed a relevant apprenticeship or equivalent
  • Food Technology - have completed a relevant apprenticeship or equivalent, OR have completed an Associate Diploma/Diploma in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)/Food Science through a Registered Training Organisation
  • Agricultural Technology - have completed a relevant accredited two-year Associate Diploma through a Registered Training Organisation.

Contact details: To find out more about their course offerings please contact Dr Lincoln Gill at Charles Sturt University via email at LGill@csu.edu.au or visit the website for further information.

Program name: Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Program start dates: 26 February 2024 (Semester 1), 22 July 2024 (Semester 2)

Subject specialisation: Technological and Applied Studies within:

• Design Technology
• Food Technology
• Industrial Technology (Timber and Metal)
• Industrial Technology (Engineering)
• Industrial Technology (Graphics and Multimedia)
• Information Processes and Technology
• Software Design and Development

Course length: Between 3 to 3.5 years, subject to recognition of prior learning.

Delivery mode: Face-to-face

Eligibility:

• To be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning which could enable participants to complete their degree in less time, they must have completed a Diploma or Advanced Diploma (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 5 or 6. View the website for more information). This is dependent upon teaching area/s chosen in the program and will be evaluated by UoN's admissions team.

Program details:

• Program participants will be able to work as an educational paraprofessional nine months after commencement.

• The program has three professional experience placements:

  • Year 2, Semester 1 (20 days)
  • Year 3, Semester 2 (20 days)
  • Year 4, Semester 2 (50 days)

Estimated cost per year: Indicative costs can be found via course or via subject. Please contact the university for further details. 

Contact details: To find out more about the course offering, please contact Associate Professor Robert Parkes at secondary-education@newcastle.edu.au or visit the website for further information.

Applications for this program are now closed. Please subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates about the next application intake.

The program will begin either in January 2024 with the University of Newcastle or February 2024 with Charles Sturt University.

Participants will find out if they have been accepted into the program by late November 2023.

The department will be accepting up to 20 participants in the bachelor entry pathway.

Please visit the department's Get Paid to Study webpage for further information about other scholarship opportunities with the department.

The Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program's Bachelor of Education pathway is intended to be a full-time program. The course length is between 3 to 3.5 years, subject to recognition of prior learning.

We understand each participant’s journey is different and completing the program part-time will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the university being able to support part-time study.

The program is aimed at professionals with significant prior experience, including industry professionals and tradespeople, who are looking for a mid-career change to become a secondary teacher in a NSW public school.

Participants who are located or are interested to work in regional and rural NSW areas are encouraged to apply.

Participants will undertake a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), which will combine immersive and observational experiences within school environments to ensure they are classroom ready.

Whilst undertaking their studies, participants will be employed as educational paraprofessionals working part-time (up to two days per week) in a school. Participants will also be supported by a school-based mentor.

Upon completion of their studies, participants will achieve a nationally recognised teaching qualification. Provided they meet the NESA accreditation and NSW Department of Education Teacher Approval requirements, participants will be offered permanent employment in a NSW public school.

Applications for this program are now closed. Please subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates about the next application intake.

1. Submit written responses and a digital story

The online application will involve submitting responses to key questions and preparing a short video presentation - a digital story. The digital story video is a 2-minute presentation that conveys both applicants motivation to teach and aspiration to work in a NSW public school. Applicants will need to upload their digital story video to Google Drive and submit the link as part of their application.

2. Select preferences (subjects, universities and locations)

Through the application, applicants will need to select which subject specialisation they would like to complete their Bachelor of Education (Secondary) within and their preferred university.

Applicants will also need to select the geographical locations/school education areas where they are prepared to accept a position within a NSW public school. The applicant's selection will be used to place them when working part-time as an educational paraprofessional and as a permanent teacher on completion of their studies.

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to select at least three school educational areas. Consideration will be given to regional and rural participants to select only two school educational areas.

The areas applicants can select and agree to be appointed to a school within are the following school education areas: Albury, Armidale, Bankstown, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Blacktown, Bondi, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Clarence/Coffs Harbour, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Fairfield, Granville, Griffith, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Liverpool, Maitland, Moree, Mount Druitt, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Jackson, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Ryde, Shellharbour, St George, Sutherland, Tamworth, Taree, Tweed Heads/Ballina, Wagga Wagga, Windsor or Wollongong.

Further information on the schools located in each geographic location/school education area can be found online or through the visual map.

3. Attach the documentation

Please see ‘What supporting documents will I need to provide as part of my application?’ below for more details on what we will need from applicants. 

Applications will be open until 11:59pm (AEST) on Sunday, 16 July 2023. We encourage applicants to submit their application early. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. 

Stage 1. Online application and digital story

A panel within the department will complete an initial assessment of each applicant's online written application and digital story.

Stage 2. University assessments

If applicants are shortlisted, the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching team will direct them to apply directly to a university of their choice. Applicants can apply to as many universities as they wish. The universities will assess the applicant's qualifications and entry into a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) program. They will also assess whether they are eligible for recognition of prior learning and advanced standing. If applicants are deemed as meeting their requirements, they will receive an offer from the university.

Please note that if an applicant is an international candidate, they may be required to provide evidence that they meet NESA’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. The university will be able to confirm the applicant's English language requirement, if this is applicable to them.

Stage 3. Interview and online assessments

If applicants receive an offer from the university, they will progress to the next stage and be invited to complete a teacher suitability assessment. This includes an online interview and assessments.

The panel will review the applicant's entire application and recommend candidates for inclusion in the program.

Stage 4: Probity checks

At this stage reference checks, Working with Children Check and criminal records check will take place.

If applicants are successful in all four stages, they will be accepted into the program.

Applicants will be required to complete and submit the documents listed below as part of their application:

• Official evidence verifying completion of a recognised qualification
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check: Application and informed consent form (PDF 1.8 MB)
• Declaration for child-related workers
• Working with Children Check (WWCC) number. Applicants will need to apply for this directly with Service NSW. Once they've been cleared and obtain a WWCC number, applicants will be asked to provide their WWCC clearance number to the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching team.
• Proof of identity (PDF 44 KB) including evidence of Australian Citizenship or permanent residence (if not born in Australia).
• If applicants intend to study at Charles Sturt University: a statement of service/employer and/or accountants letters confirming seven years of relevant industry experience within the last 10 years. Evidence must be provided that the work was in the context of the subject they wish to complete their studies within.

To submit the documents, open the ​​IworkforNSW application and upload in line with the instructions provided, prior to the closing date.

The online application system will not allow applicants to submit their application until all the required fields have been completed. Once applicants click on the submit button, a confirmation email will automatically be sent to the email address they provided as part of the application process. Applicants are advised to keep a copy of that email for their records.

If applicants did not receive a confirmation email, please email MidcareerPrograms@det.nsw.edu.au.

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome via email once the selection process has been completed.

If applicants change their contact details after the closing date, please email the updated contact details to MidCareerPrograms@det.nsw.edu.au.

Educational paraprofessionals work under the guidance and supervision of teachers to provide support both inside and outside the classroom.

Educational paraprofessionals assist with teaching and learning, by working closely with teachers in the classroom to support student engagement and participation and improving student learning outcomes.

As an educational paraprofessional, participants will always have a supervising teacher with them who will be able to guide and support their practise.

After completing nine months of study, participants will work part time (up to 0.4FTE/2 days per week) as an educational paraprofessional in a school whilst completing their studies.

Participants will be employed under the Teaching Services Act 1980 as an educational paraprofessional. This means that participants will work under the same conditions and hours of work as a teacher, with paid leave during school holidays in accordance with their part-time status. Participants will also have access to sick leave, accrued pro rata.

Participants are also required to work during university breaks in cases where those breaks fall outside of school holiday periods. To ensure that their work aligns with university studies, participants will be able to negotiate working days with the school supervisor.

Please visit the department's awards and determinations [Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2022] for the annual salary of a full-time educational paraprofessional undertaking teacher education studies. Program participants are paid as educational paraprofessionals pro-rata, commensurate with their part-time status.

While personal preferences will be taken into consideration, it is expected that program participants are open to the opportunity to train and teach in a range of NSW government schools and contexts. Participants will be given the opportunity to select which geographic locations/school education areas they wish to work in and assigned a school from within that area.

To better understand the geographic locations/school education areas participants are able to select from and which schools are included, further information can be found online or via the visual map.

During the program, participating schools will be carefully selected by the department based on their ability to provide mentoring and teaching opportunities to program participants.

Successful applications will be able to reference any NSW government schools they already have a relationship or connection with. We want to encourage local participants to stay and work within their local community particularly in regional and rural areas.

If applicants already have a connection to a school, it will be considered as part of the matching process. Participating schools will be carefully selected by the department based on their ability to provide mentoring and teaching opportunities to program participants.

A key outcome the program is seeking to ensure participants are classroom ready before they begin teaching, which is why it is important participants begin to gain experience as a paraprofessional.

This program is an employment-based pathway and includes working up to two days per week starting from nine months into the program. If this program is not suitable, please visit the department's Get Paid to Study webpage for further information about other scholarship opportunities with the department.

NSW public schools are grouped into locations called Operational Directorates (regions), School Education Areas and Principal Networks. Each region has several 'school education areas' for the purpose of staffing schools.

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to select at least three school educational areas.

To better understand the geographic locations/school education area participants can select from, and which schools are included, further information can be found online or via the visual map.

When participants complete the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and are being considered for appointment, the school education areas they nominated as their preferred locations will be used to match them to a permanent teaching position.

All teachers are required to be accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to work in a primary or secondary NSW school. This includes current initial teacher education students who are seeking temporary or casual teaching positions. Educational paraprofessionals do not require accreditation to operate in this role.

Receiving Conditional accreditation from NESA will enable participants to obtain an interim approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education. Once obtained, participants will be able to teach casually or under a temporary contract in a NSW public school while completing the final year of their teaching degree.

Please visit the NSW Education Standards Authority webpage on first time accreditation for further information on how to apply for Conditional accreditation.

Pre-service teachers can seek Conditional accreditation from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) as an undergraduate student provided they have completed 75% of their undergraduate teaching degree. Typically, this would be in the final 12 months of their degree.

Once bachelor’s degree students have obtained Conditional accreditation from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), and a Working with Children Check for paid employment from the Office of the Children’s Guardian, they are then able to apply for an interim approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education.

Pre-service teachers can apply for approval to teach via the department’s online application system. Once they have commenced the approval to teach application, pre-service teachers can request interim approval to teach. If granted, they will be eligible to teach on a casual or temporary basis while completing their degree.

Please visit the NSW Department of Education’s approval to teach webpage for further information on how to apply.

To apply for Provisional accreditation, pre-service teachers must have completed their degree in full.

To move from Conditional to Provisional accreditation, pre-service teachers will need to supply certified copies of an official graduation certificate, testamur or transcript, confirming the date the qualification has been awarded. After documentation that confirms a pre-service has been awarded an initial teacher education degree has been submitted, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) will update their accreditation status to Provisional.

Proficient Teacher accreditation needs to be attained within a set timeframe. The timeframe is based on a pre-service teacher’s employment at the time they were initially accredited.

Provisionally accredited teachers:

• Full time: 3 years

• Casual or part-time: 5 years

As a guide, a minimum of 160 days of teaching should give Provisionally accredited teachers adequate opportunity to meet the accreditation requirements.

Please visit the NSW Education Standards Authority webpage on first time accreditation for further information on Provisional accreditation and how to apply.

To complete an approval to teach application an applicant must have finished their teaching degree and hold Conditional accreditation from NESA.

A full approval to teach enables participants to apply for permanent teaching positions in NSW public schools, in addition to casual and temporary work.

As part of the Mid-Career Transition To Teaching Program, the School Recruitment and Placement team may issue participants an offer of permanent placement ahead of graduation, provided they have obtained Conditional accreditation and have commenced their approval to teach application. These offers are contingent on receiving a final academic transcript confirming completion of studies prior to entry on duty.

For further information on the approval to teach process, please visit the website.

No, pre-service teachers are not required to hold Conditional accreditation or approval to teach to work as an educational paraprofessional. As part of the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program, participants will be expected to gain Conditional accreditation and interim approval to teach once eligible (i.e, at 75% course completion). This is to prepare participants for the requirements of the permanent placement process and to increase placement and employment options.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, participants are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school in an agreed location. In some situations, participants may be assigned to a temporary teaching position before being appointed to a permanent role when a substantive vacancy arises.

Upon successful completion of the program and meeting accreditation and approval to teach requirements, participants will be offered permanent employment in a NSW public school, based on the school education areas they have selected.

The opportunities offered to participants will be dependent on available permanent teaching positions that match their teaching specialisation and subject codes.

In recognition of the need to support mid-career changers transition into a new career and return to studies, the department is offering a $30,000 (pre-tax) one-off training allowance to successful applicants on entry into the program.

The scholarship money will be payable after the commencement date and upon provision of evidence of enrolment in the course after the applicable university census dates.

A further $30,000 (pre-tax) study completion allowance will be available at the completion of the participant's studies. This second payment will be phased over three years whilst they are employed in a permanent role within a NSW public school.

If participants are appointed to a permanent teaching position in a rural area at the end of the program, they may also be eligible for additional benefits and incentives. To find out about the benefits and incentives that are available to teachers at individual schools, view the online benefits calculator.

Payments made as part of the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Participants may have tax withheld from their equivalent upfront course contribution fee payment. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld depending on individual circumstances.

Participants are encouraged to seek financial advice for their own personal circumstances.

It is noted that the participant's university fee will be payable by them. Mid-Career Transition to Teaching participants will be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). A CSP means the course fees are partially subsidised by the Australian Government and participants pay a student contribution amount.

The initial one-off training allowance of $30,000 is paid to successful participants on entry into the program and is aimed to assist with the cost of study including paying their university fees. As this payment is subject to tax, in some instances, the training allowance may not fully cover the total course costs.

Course costs differ between universities. Please review the fees for each university. Support is also available through HECS-HELP.

If participants decide to leave the program before completing their studies, they will not be eligible for the $30,000 study completion allowance and they will be required to repay the initial $30,000 one-off training allowance paid to them at the start of the program.