FAQs

The Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program Bachelor of Education (Secondary) entry is seeking TAS industry professionals and tradespeople with significant subject expertise and experience to transition into secondary teaching. To be eligible you 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); or
• food technology; or
• agriculture (CSU only).

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

a. Charles Sturt University: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - Industry Entry

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: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) 

i. To be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning which could enable you to complete your degree in less time, you must have completed a Diploma or Advanced Diploma (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 5 or 6. View the website for more information).

ii. This is dependent upon teaching area/s chosen in the program and will be evaluated by our admissions team.

5. be willing to begin your Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in early 2023 and complete your degree within 3 years;

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

Applicants may be eligible for recognition of prior learning that will enable you to complete your degree in less time, which will be assessed and determined by the university partners through the application process.

The university will assess your 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 your eligibility please reach out to:

• Lincoln Gill at Charles Sturt University via email on LGill@csu.edu.au; or
• 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 complete their Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in a teaching area of demand.

If you are already a qualified teacher, you are encouraged to apply for approval to teach in NSW public schools. Visit the Approval to Teach page of the Education website or contact our Teacher Approvals team on 1300 300 498.

Course Name: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - Industry Entry

Program start date: 27 February 2023

Delivery mode: Predominately online.

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

• Industrial Technology (timber and metal);
• Food Technology, or
• Agriculture (CSU only).

Course length: Between 2.5 years to 3 years, subject to recognition of prior learning.

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.

Please apply for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - Industry Entry course and not the Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Studies) course. 

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

Course name: Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Program start date: 23 January 2023

Delivery mode: On campus

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

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

Course length: Between 2.5 years to 3 years, subject to recognition of prior learning.

Eligibility:

• To be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning which could enable you to complete your degree in less time, you 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 our admissions team.

To find out more about their course offerings please contact Robert Parkes at University of Newcastle via email at secondary-education@newcastle.edu.au or visit their website for more information.

Applications for this program open on Monday 18 July 2022 and will close on Sunday 11 September 2022.

The program will begin either in January 2023 with the University of Newcastle or February 2023 with Charles Sturt University.

Participants will find out if they have been accepted into the program by early December 2022.

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

Should you not receive a place in this program you may be eligible for another program or scholarship.

Please visit the Get Paid to Study page of the Education website for further information about other scholarship opportunities with the department.

The Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program Bachelor of Education pathway is available in full-time study mode only. The course length is between 2.5 years to 3 years, subject to recognition of prior learning.

For questions about your specific circumstances, please contact: MidCareerPrograms@det.nsw.edu.au.

The program is aimed at professionals with significant prior experience, including industry professionals and trades people, 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 areas are encouraged to apply.

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 (CSU only).

Applicants who have completed recognised qualifications may be eligible for recognition of prior learning, which will be assessed and determined by the university 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 or metal work, engineering, fabrication, aeronautical, plumbing, electrical (avionics, refrigeration), automotive mechanical.
• Food Technology: chef, baker, pastry chef.

Participants will undertake a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), which will combine immersive and observational experiences within school environments to ensure you 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. You will also be supported by a school-based mentor.

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

The program supports industry professionals and trades people to commence their journey towards a career in secondary teaching. Those who have already commenced Initial Teacher Education are not eligible. 

If this program is not suitable for you, please visit the Get Paid to Study page of the Education website for further information about other scholarship opportunities with the department.

You must apply for the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program, as well as the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at your preferred university.

1. Applying for the program through I Work for NSW:

Applications are now open via an online application form through the iworkfornsw website.

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 your motivation to teach and aspiration to work in a NSW public school. You will need to upload your digital story video to Google Drive and submit the link as part of your application.

Select your preferences (subjects, universities, and locations)

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

You will also need to select the geographical locations/school education areas where you are prepared to accept a position within a NSW public school. Your selection will be used to place you when working part-time as an educational paraprofessional and as a permanent teacher on completion of your studies.

As part of the application process you 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 you 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 here or through the visual map here.

Applications will be open until 11:59 pm Sunday 11 September. We encourage you to submit your application early. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

2. Applying for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at your preferred university

You must submit your application for a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in addition to applying for this program. You do this directly with the university. Check the university website for deadlines.

• Lincoln Gill at Charles Sturt University via email on LGill@csu.edu.au; or visit their website for more information.
• Robert Parkes at University of Newcastle via email on secondary-education@newcastle.edu.au or visit their website for more information

Stage 1. Online application and digital story

A panel within the department will complete an initial assessment of your online written application and digital story.

Stage 2. University assessments

Universities will assess your qualifications and entry into a Bachelor of Education program. They will also assess whether you are eligible for recognition of prior learning and advanced standing.

It will be critical that you have submitted an application to the university at this stage or they will not be able to assess your eligibility for the program.

If you are deemed as meeting their requirements, you will receive an offer from the university.

Stage 3. Interview and online assessments

If you receive an offer from the university, you will be invited to an interview with the department and to complete online assessments.

The panel will review your entire application and recommend candidates for inclusion in the program.

Stage 4: Probity checks and application into a university

The last stage will include your referees, working with children check and criminal records check taking place.

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

You will be required to complete and submit the documents listed below as part of your 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 Work: Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (PDF 190 KB)
• Proof of identity (PDF 44 KB) including evidence of Australian Citizenship, permanent residence or visa permitting employment in Australia (if not born in Australia).
• If you intend to study at Charles Sturt University: A statement of service/employer and/or accountants letters confirming 7 year’s relevant industry experience within the last 10 years. Evidence must be provided that the work was in the context of the subject you wish to complete your studies within.

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

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

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

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

Please visit the Get Paid to Study page on the Education website for further information about other scholarship opportunities.

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

• Accepting 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 through the department’s online application for approval to teach, which will include a teacher suitability assessment and 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.

Educational paraprofessionals play an integral part in the teaching of students. They 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, you will always have a supervising teacher with you who will be able to guide and support your practise.

After completing 9 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 you will work under the same conditions and hours of work as a teacher, with paid leave during school holidays in accordance with your part-time status. You 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 your work aligns with university studies, participants will be able to negotiate working days with the school supervisor.

The annual salary of a full-time educational paraprofessional undertaking teacher education studies is $69,939.00 (as at January 2022). Program participants are paid as educational paraprofessionals pro-rata, commensurate with their part-time status.

For further information, please visit the Departments awards and determinations.

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. You will be given the opportunity to select which geographic locations/school education area you wish to work in and assigned a school from within that area.

To better understand the geographic locations/school education area you are able to select from and which schools are included, further information can be found here or through the visual map here.

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 you 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 is 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 2 days per week starting from 9 months. If this program is not suitable for you, please visit the Get Paid to Study page 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 a number of 'school education areas' for the purpose of staffing schools.

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

To better understand the geographic locations/school education area you are able to select from and which schools are included, further information can be found here or through the visual map here.

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

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, you 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 you will be dependent on available permanent teaching positions that match your 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 one-off training allowance to successful applicants on entry into the program. A further $30,000 study completion allowance will be available at the completion of your studies. The second payment will be phased over 3 years whilst employed in a permanent role within a NSW public school.

If you are appointed to a permanent teaching position in a rural area at the end of the program, you may also qualify for the Rural Incentives Program. The Rural Incentives Program includes a range of financial and non-financial benefits, some up to $30,000. More information about the Rural Incentives Program can be found on the Department of Education website.

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.

As this study allowance comes with a requirement for you to work, this payment is not tax exempt. For more information, please visit the ATO webpage. 

You are encouraged to seek financial advice for your own personal circumstances.

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

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

If you decide to leave the program before completing your studies, you will not be eligible for the $30,000 study completion allowance.

In addition, you will be required to repay the initial $30,000 one-off training allowance paid to you at the start of the program.