FAQs

The Riverina Teaching Hub Program supports school leavers and career changers to become a secondary teacher in a NSW public school in the Riverina area.

To be eligible you must:

1. be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;

2. intend on completing:

• a double degree including a Bachelor of Education with University of New South Wales (UNSW), with the subject specialisation of:
  • Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in History, English, Geography
  • Bachelor of Science/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in Mathematics only
  • Bachelor of Commerce/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in Business and Economics
  • Bachelor of Economics/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in Economics

or

• a postgraduate Master of Teaching (Secondary) with UNSW and already hold a Bachelor degree with studies in chosen specialisations:
  • biology
  • business studies
  • chemistry
  • chemistry/biology
  • earth and environmental science
  • economics
  • English**
  • English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D)
  • geography
  • history (ancient)
  • history (modern)
  • investigating science
  • legal studies
  • mathematics**
  • physics
  • science
  • society and culture

· **One double specialisation in English or Mathematics

3. be willing to complete your studies with UNSW in one of the participating schools in the Riverina and meet UNSW entry requirements for an undergraduate or postgraduate teaching degree;

4. be willing to begin your studies in Semester 1, 2023 (February) and complete your degree within 4 years (Bachelor) or 1.3 years (Master);

5. be wiling to work as an educational paraprofessional for 1 - 2 days per week in a participating NSW public school in the Riverina area commencing in February 2023; and

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

Applications for the Riverina Teaching Hub Program are now open from Tuesday, 3 October 2022 until 11:59 pm Sunday, 20 November 2022.

The program will commence in Semester 1, 2023 (February 2023).

Participants will find out if they have been accepted into the program by January 2023, including which school they will be working in as a part-time educational paraprofessional from February 2023.

Participants will commence their studies at UNSW from Semester 1, 2023 (February). All program participants will study as a collective group in the Riverina area, without having to leave their hometown to gain a degree.

Upon commencement of the program, participants will also work part-time (1 - 2 days per week) as an educational paraprofessional in a participating school in the Riverina area.

Upon completion of your studies, participants will achieve a nationally recognised teaching qualification. Provided you meet the NESA accreditation and NSW Department of Education approval to teach requirements, you will be offered permanent employment as a secondary teacher at a NSW public school within an agreed location.

The Riverina Teaching Hub Program is partnering with UNSW to offer at least ten placements per year for two years.

Should you not receive a place in the Riverina Teaching Hub Program, you may be eligible for another scholarship program to be supported in your entry to teaching.

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

The program is aimed at individuals living in the Riverina area, who are aspiring to become a secondary teacher in a NSW public school.

The program provides participants with an opportunity to study teaching as part of a collective group, all within their local towns.

Participants who are located in or are interested to work in the Riverina area are encouraged to apply.

The program provides participants with the option to study several degrees, including an undergraduate double degree which includes a Bachelor of Education or a postgraduate Master of Teaching with UNSW.

Please note, only a select number of degrees from UNSW will be offered under the Riverina Teaching Hub Program. 

Eligible degrees include:

• Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in History, English, Geography
• Bachelor of Science/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in Mathematics only
• Bachelor of Commerce/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in Business and Economics
• Bachelor of Economics/Education (Secondary) - subject specialisation in Economics
• Master of Teaching (Secondary) for participants who hold a Bachelor with studies in chosen specialisations:
  • biology
  • business studies
  • chemistry
  • chemistry/biology
  • earth and environmental science
  • economics
  • English**
  • English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D)
  • geography
  • history (ancient)
  • history (modern)
  • investigating science
  • legal studies
  • mathematics**
  • physics
  • science
  • society and culture

**One double specialisation in English or Mathematics

Studying with UNSW will be delivered in a mixed mode format which will include online lectures (live and pre-recorded) and face-to-face intensive workshops in the Riverina region.

All program participants will complete studies as a collective without having to leave their hometown to gain their degree.

The double degree including the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is 4 years in duration.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is 1.3 years in duration.

• Bachelor of Education (Secondary): $6,895
• Master of Teaching (Secondary): $5,995

To find out more about the student contribution amounts for Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.

Successful participants will also receive an annual training allowance of up to $7,500 per year whilst studying full-time. The purpose of this payment is to assist with the cost of study including payment of university fees. As this payment is subject to tax, in some instances, the training allowance may not fully cover the total course costs. Support is also available to you through HECS-HELP.

The program is partnering with NSW public schools across the Riverina region for participants to study and work as educational paraprofessionals at.

Participating schools for the 2023 program include:

• Albury High School
• Corowa High School
• Kooringal High School
• Mount Austin High School
• Murray High School

Participants will need to elect a minimum of two participating schools in their application.

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 across the participating schools in the Riverina area.

You will be given the opportunity to select at least two participating schools as your preference to work as an educational paraprofessional, in the application process.

Successful applicants will begin the program in Semester 1 (February) of 2023. Unfortunately, this start date is not flexible.

If this session is not suitable to you, the program may be offered again for a 2024 intake. Please subscribe to be notified of program updates.

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.

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

The program includes working 1-2 days per week as an educational paraprofessional and studying full time. Participants will need to determine if they can manage the load and balance this with other personal priorities.

The department is partnering with Alphacrucis University College to offer 20 places for vocational education and training (VET) courses from 2024.

The program will support school leavers and community members to study a Certificate 3 and/or Certificate 4 in School Based Educational Support. While studying, participants will have the opportunity to work part-time (1 - 2 days per week) as an operational paraprofessional in a participating local school.

Subscribe to be notified of VET pathway updates to the program.

1. Submit written responses and a digital story as part of your online application.
2. Select your preferences (subjects, university application and locations).
3. Attach your documentation.

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.

You are required to submit an application through UNSW for the relevant degree. For more information about entry to UNSW, please read their informational document.

Stage 2. UNSW assessment

UNSW will assess your qualifications and entry into the selected degree. 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 a conditional offer from the university.

Stage 3. Interview and assessments

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

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

Stage 4. Probity checks and application into UNSW

If you make it to the final stage, you will be offered a conditional place in the Riverina Teaching Hub Program.

It is at this stage you will be required to apply directly with the university for the selected degree, if you have not done so already. This will allow UNSW to set you up in their system and complete your eligibility.

At the same time your referees, 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:

• 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 applying for a Master of Teaching (Secondary): official evidence verifying completion of an undergraduate Bachelor degree, with subject specialisation/s.

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 teachinghubprogram@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 teachinghubprogram@det.nsw.edu.au.

In addition to applying for the Riverina Teaching Hub 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 Riverina Teaching Hub Program agreement with the department, committing them to:

• accepting appointment as an educational paraprofessional (on a part-time basis) in a NSW public school, for the 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 through the department’s online application for approval to teach, which will include a teacher suitability assessment and behavioural interview;
• meet milestones during the Riverina Teaching Hub Program to demonstrate teaching capabilities; and
• accepting an appointment as a permanent full-time secondary teacher in a NSW public school in a specified school education area upon 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.

Participants will begin working as educational paraprofessionals 1 - 2 days a week when they commence their studies in Semester 1, 2023 (February).

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 department's awards and determinations.

During the program, you will be working as an educational paraprofessional in a participating NSW public secondary school in the Riverina region. This will most likely be a school with which you may already have a connection.

Yes. We want to encourage local participants to stay and work within their local community.

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 1 - 2 days per week immediately after commencing studies in February 2023.

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 several 'school education areas' for the purpose of staffing schools.

As part of the application process you will be asked to select at least two participating schools in the Riverina area.

When you complete the program and are being considered for permanent appointment, your preferred school education areas nominated in your application will be used to match you to a permanent teaching position. This will also be discussed with you at the time of the matching process.

The department will consider matches on a case by case basis depending on available permanent teaching positions that match your teaching specialisation and subject codes. Where possible, the department will endeavour to match you to one of your preferred school education areas, however this may not always be possible and will be discussed with you at the time.

In some situations, you may be assigned to a temporary teaching position before being appointed to a permanent role when a substantive vacancy arises.

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.

Participants will have the opportunity to nominate at least 2 preferred school education areas in their applications, for permanent placement following completion.

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 as a secondary teacher in a NSW public school, based on their preferred school education areas selected in their application.

School education areas include Albury, Deniliquin, Griffith and Wagga Wagga.

The opportunities offered will be dependent on available permanent teaching positions that match the participant's teaching specialisation and subject codes.

In recognition of the need to support aspiring teachers beginning their studies and teaching career, the department is offering an annual training allowance of $7,500 to successful applicants on entry into the program.

This allowance will support teachers while they study and is in addition to the salary earnt as a part-time educational paraprofessional.

Future allowances will be payable to participants at the beginning of each year, for 4 years (Bachelor double degree) or 1.3 years (Master degree) until study is completed.

Payments made as part of the Riverina Teaching Hub Program must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Participants may have tax withheld from their equivalent upfront training support 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 annual training allowance of $7,500 per year of full-time study 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 unversity fees.

As this payment is subject to tax, in some instances, the training allowance may not fully cover your total course costs. 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 $7,500 annual training allowance. You will be required to repay the amount paid to you at the start of the program.