Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program

The Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program - Master of Teaching pathway is seeking industry professionals and teaching academics 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 a minimum of three years relevant industry experience within the last ten years

or

be a teaching academic with a minimum of three years relevant subject and/or teaching experience within the last ten years

3. intend to complete a Master of Teaching (Secondary) with the subject specialisation of:

• Mathematics
• Science (with a physics or chemistry major)
• Technological and Applied Studies (within engineering studies, industrial technology (timber and metal), design and technology, information and software technology, food technology, or agriculture).

4. be willing to complete your studies at one of the four universities offering the program and meet their entry requirements for a Master of Teaching

5. have completed a recognised undergraduate bachelor's degree

6. be willing to begin your Master of Teaching (Secondary) in January or February 2024 and complete your degree within two years

7. 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.

If you have questions around your eligibility for a Master of Teaching (Secondary) program, for example:

• you have completed or partially completed an undergraduate degree
• you have experience teaching in TAFE (or another institution)
• you hold international qualifications

please reach out to one of the university contacts below for more information on your eligibility:

• Macquarie University - Dr Janet Dutton at midcareermteach@mq.edu.au
• The University of Sydney - Associate Professor Wayne Cotton at ssesw.enquiries@sydney.edu.au
• The University of Newcastle - Associate Professor Robert Parkes at secondary-education@newcastle.edu.au
• Charles Sturt University - Melanie Sugumaran at msugumaran@csu.edu.au

Universities will assess your qualifications and determine eligibility for entry into the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program. For entry into a Master of Teaching (Secondary), your undergraduate studies/qualifications must meet NESA content requirements for the teaching area(s) you intend to teach.

If you hold international qualifications, you may be required to complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test for successful entry into a Master of Teaching program. For more information about the test and any exceptions, please visit the Teacher Accreditation website. We note that NESA accepts tests other than IELTS, however, the universities may not. We recommend you visit the university website for full details.

To help meet the needs of NSW public schools now and into the future, the program is supporting experienced professionals to become teachers by gaining a Master of Teaching (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. Contact the Teacher Approvals team or call 1300 300 498.

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 start date: February 2024

Subject specialisation:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics/Physics
• Information Processes and Technology
• Software Design and Development

Course length: 18 months - 2 years (subject to prior learning)

Delivery mode: Students choose from the following attendance options:

• Infrequent: Zoom tutorials (usually fortnightly outside business hours) and several on-campus tutorials (Friday/Saturday). Regional/remote students can attend on-campus tutorials via Zoom if unable to travel.
• Weekday: regular (weekly/fortnightly) in-person classes.
• Hybrid model: students can choose some units to be weekday and some units as infrequent.

Estimated cost per year: $4,120 (approximately, based on 2023 cost)

Program details:

The MQ MTeach Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program features:

• Profession embedded and work-integrated learning degree structure (learn as you work). Paraprofessional work in session 2.
• MQ Executive Mentoring Program including individualised support from experienced Mid-Career Program Mentor Lead and mentoring team.
• Student-first approach - flexible delivery to manage personal responsibilities, work and study. Professional care approach for all students.
• Teaching Professional Experience (60 days total) - with early first school teaching placement in-school, in semester one.
• MQ In School Initial Teaching Education Network (MQ - INSTE Network) including professional learning, networking opportunities, events and resources.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - individual applications assessed e.g., postgraduate study and/or teaching experience.

Contact details: To find out more about the MQ course offering, please email Dr Janet Dutton at midcareermteach@mq.edu.au or visit the MQ MCT website and the MQ MTeach website for further information.

Program start dates: 29 January 2024 (Trimester 1), 13 May 2024 (Trimester 2)

Subject specialisation:

• Mathematics
• Mathematics/Physics
• Science (Physics or Chemistry major)
• Technological and Applied Studies within:
  • Design and 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: 20 months

Delivery mode: Face-to-face

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

Program details:

• All classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays
• Program participants will be able to work as an educational paraprofessional after six months of commencement on Wednesday - Friday. 

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

Program start date: 26 February 2024

Subject specialisation:

• Mathematics
• Science (physics or chemistry must be included as one of two teaching areas)
• Technological and Applied Studies (note: two teaching areas must be selected from the below):
  • Design and Technology
  • Engineering studies,
  • Industrial technology (timber and metal)
  • IPT and SDD
  • Agriculture
  • Food technology

Course length: 18 months - 2 years (subject to prior learning)

Delivery mode: Online course work. Professional Experience Placements are undertaken in participant's residing location

Estimated cost per year: $4,107 (approximately, based on 2023 cost)

Program details:

• Master of Teaching with course work online

• 2 x 30 day block placements in a secondary school

• Peer networking with Mid-Career Transition to Teaching cohort

Contact details: To find out more about the course offering, please contact Melanie Sugumaran at msugumaran@csu.edu.au or visit the website for further information.

Program start date: February 2024

Subject specialisation:

• Mathematics
• Science (Physics or Chemistry major)

Course length: 18 months

Delivery mode: Face-to-face

Program details:

• All classes are held on campus.

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

• Program participants have the option to specialise in either one or two teaching areas at secondary education level.

• Program participants will complete practicum placements and a final capstone project comprising of an internship in a secondary education setting.

Contacts details: To find out more about the course offering, please contact Associate Professor Wayne Cotton at ssesw.enquiries@sydney.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 have multiple start dates throughout January and February 2024, relating to the semester start dates of the four universities.

Participants will find out if they have been accepted into the program by November 2023, including which university they will be completing their Master of Teaching (Secondary) with.

The department will be accepting up to 50 participants across the four universities in the master's stream. Should you not receive a place in this program, you may be eligible for another program or scholarship, or be placed in a waiting list.

Please visit the department’s Get Paid to Study webpage for further information regarding other scholarship opportunities.

The program is intended to be a full-time program. 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 academics, professionals and subject-matter experts who are looking for a mid-career change to become a secondary teacher in a NSW public school.

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

The program is focused on our high-demand teaching areas of:

• Mathematics
• Science, specifically physics and chemistry
• Subjects within the Technological and Applied Studies key learning area, specifically engineering studies, industrial technology (timber and metal), information and software technology, food technology or agriculture.

Participants will be given the opportunity to select their preferred university, however, the program has limited places. Successful participants will be offered an opportunity at the university that best meets their skills, subject specialisation and geographical location.

To be eligible to complete a Master of Teaching (Secondary), you must have a minimum qualification of an undergraduate bachelor's degree. Your prior qualifications must meet the content requirements as outlined by NESA.

Some examples of relevant industries may include, but are not limited to:

• Mathematics: engineering, banking, insurance and investment, environmental modelling, medicine, meteorology, computing, information technology, government, education, research, lecturer or programming.
• Science (physics and chemistry focus): scientist, physicist, researcher, lecturer, astronomer, cyclotron engineer, data scientist, chemists, chemical engineer, nanotechnologist, toxicologist, aviation, computer science or oceanography.
• Technology and Applied Studies: information and software technology, agricultural jobs, trades e.g., carpentry or metal work, engineering, fabrication, computing, aeronautical, avionics, computing, and cyber security, mechanical, chef or hospitality.

For the first six months, participants will be focused on completing their studies. Students will have the opportunity to be engaged with their paraprofessional school prior to commencing work.

From six months into the program, participants will begin working as an educational paraprofessional working part-time (up to three days per week) in a host 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 NSW Department of Education Teacher Approval requirements, you will be offered permanent employment in a NSW public school.

Successful applicants will begin the program in either January or February 2024 depending on the university you will be enrolled with.

Each university offers a different pathway and flexibility in the way the course is delivered. We encourage you speak to each university to understand which Master of Teaching course will best suit your needs.

The program has been designed to give flexibility to students in the way they study and work.

Each university has a different structure in the way they will deliver the Master of Teaching (Secondary). We recommend you reach out to each university to better understand your options and how you can balance your work commitments with study.

Many Master of Teaching students continue to work whilst studying full-time and it will be up to you as to whether you can manage the load.

Universities offer flexible options to accommodate working students.

The program includes working up to three days per week as a paraprofessional from six months into your studies. You will need to balance this with study and other personal priorities.

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 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.

2. Select your preferences (subjects, universities and locations)

Through the application, you will need to select which subject specialisation you would like to complete your Master of Teaching (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 online or through the visual map.

3. Attach your 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 you.

Applications will be open until 11:59pm (AEST) on Sunday, 16 July 2023. We encourage you to submit your 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 your online written application and digital story.

Stage 2. University assessments

If you are shortlisted, the Mid-Career Transition to Teaching team will direct you to apply directly to a university of your choice. You can apply to as many universities as you wish. The universities will assess your qualifications and entry into a Master of Teaching program. They will also assess whether you are eligible for recognition of prior learning and advanced standing. If you are deemed as meeting their requirements, you will receive an offer from the university.

Please note that if you are an international candidate, you may be required to provide evidence that you meet NESA’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. You can do this by:

• providing evidence of having completed a sufficient standard of study in English; or

• have obtained an Academic IELTS.

Your university will be able to confirm your English language requirement, if this is applicable to you.

Stage 3. Interview and online assessments

If you receive an offer from the university, you 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 your entire application and recommend candidates for inclusion in the program.

Stage 4: Probity checks

At this stage your reference checks, Working with Children Check and criminal records check will take 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 transcripts (in English) of results for your undergraduate degree for each year of study to date, including current enrolment (if relevant).
• Official evidence verifying completion of undergraduate bachelor's degree.
• For industry professionals, a statement of service confirming three years of 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.
• For teaching academics, a statement of service confirming three years of relevant teaching 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 teaching studies within.
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check: Application and informed consent form (PDF 1.8 MB)
• Declaration for Child-Related Workers (PDF 219 KB)
• Working with Children Check (WWCC) number. You will need to apply for this directly with Service NSW. Once you’ve been cleared and obtain a WWCC number, please provide your 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).
• Applicants with international qualifications may also be required to submit their IELTS test results. Please visit the Teacher Accreditation website to find out if this applies to you.

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 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 appointment as an educational paraprofessional (on a part-time basis) in a NSW public school after six months of study, for the remaining duration of 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.

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, you will always have a supervising teacher with you who will be able to guide and support your practise.

After six months of study, participants will work part time (up to 0.6FTE/3 days per week) as an educational paraprofessional in a school for a maximum duration of 18 months whilst completing their studies. You will receive the details of your potential host school when you receive your offer.

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.

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

To better understand the geographic locations/school education areas you 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 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 of 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 three days per week starting from six months into the program. If this program is not suitable for you, 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, you will be asked to select at least three school educational areas.

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

When you complete your Master of Teaching (Secondary) and are being considered for permanent 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 (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 your studies. This second payment will be phased over three years whilst you are 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 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.

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

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

The initial one-off study allowance of $30,000 is paid to successful participants on entry into the program and is aimed to support coverage of university fees. As this payment is subject to tax, in some instances, the training allowance may not immediately cover full course costs.

Course costs differ between universities. Please review the fees for your preferred university courses.

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