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 applicants 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 their 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 a Master of Teaching (Secondary) in January or February 2024 and complete their 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 their studies and agree to serve for a minimum of three years.

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

• the applicant has completed or partially completed an undergraduate degree
• the applicant has experience teaching in TAFE (or another institution)
• the applicant holds international qualifications

Applicants are encouraged to reach out to one of the university contacts below for more information on 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 the applicants qualifications and determine eligibility for entry into the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program. For entry into a Master of Teaching (Secondary), the applicants undergraduate studies/qualifications must meet NESA content requirements for the teaching area(s) they intend to teach.

If applicants hold international qualifications, they 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 applicants 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.

Applicants that are already a qualified teacher 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 applicants not receive a place in this program, they 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), applicants must have a minimum qualification of an undergraduate bachelor's degree. The applicants 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. Participants will also be supported by a school based mentor.

Upon completion of their studies, participants will achieve a nationally recognised teaching qualification. Provided the participant meets the NESA accreditation and NSW Department of Education Teacher Approval requirements, they 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 they will be enrolled with.

Each university offers a different pathway and flexibility in the way the course is delivered. We encourage participants to speak to each university to understand which Master of Teaching course will best suit their 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 participants reach out to each university to better understand your options and how they 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 the participant as to whether they 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 the course. Participants 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 the 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 the Master of Teaching (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 selection will be used to place applicants 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 applicants 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 applicants qualifications and entry into a Master of Teaching 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. Applicants can do this by:

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

• have obtained an Academic IELTS.

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 applicants entire application and recommend candidates for inclusion in the program.

Stage 4: Probity checks

At this stage, applicant's 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 transcripts (in English) of results for their 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 the applicants wish to complete their 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 the applicants wish to complete their 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. Applicants will need to apply for this directly with Service NSW. Once they've been cleared and obtain a WWCC number, please provide a 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. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Teacher Accreditation website to find out if this is applicable to them.

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 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 applicants 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.

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 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, participants will always have a supervising teacher with them who will be able to guide and support their 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. Participants will receive the details of their potential host school when they receive their offer.

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 participants 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 applicants, 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 applicants can select from, and which schools are included, further information can be found online or via the visual map.

When participants complete their Master of Teaching (Secondary) and are being considered for permanent 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 a postgraduate master’s student provided they have completed 50% of their postgraduate teaching degree. Typically, this would be in the final 12 months of their degree.

Once master’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 50% 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 participants studies. This second payment will be phased over three years whilst participants 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 fees will be payable by them. Mid-Career Transition to Teaching Program participants will be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). A CSP means participant's course fees are partially subsidised by the Australian Government and they 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 participants decide to leave the program before completing their studies, they 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 them at the start of the program.