1. Fil-Aus Teachers Program
Purpose: To educate, equip and empower Filipino Teachers towards their aim of working or migrating to Australia
Prepared by:
Mariano Carlota, RMA (MARN ), a Director at Migration AUS-NZ. He has been a Lawyer since 2008, a Solicitor & Barrister of the High Court of Australia & the Supreme Court of NSW. He is also an Attorney at Law at the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He is also a Licensed Secondary Teacher with the PRC.

2. Why Australia? Average household income per annum is $120,000
Universal Medicare
Free education and the Government will subsidize University tuition up to Doctoral level. Research based programs are paid for by Research Training Scheme (RTS)
Family tax benefits and supplements for children
Visa waivers for Australian Passport holders

3. Income
The average pay for a High School Teacher is AU$61,819 per year.
Average household income per annum is $120,000 (equals 4,440,000 pesos or $712,000 HKD)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) says the average individual wage in Australia in November was$57,980 before tax. The average full-time wage is $74,724 before tax.

4. Medicare
Under Medicare you can be treated as a public patient in a public hospital, at no charge, by a doctor appointed by the hospital. You can choose to be treated as a public patient, even if you are privately insured.
When you visit a doctor outside a hospital, Medicare will reimburse 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for a general practitioner and 85% of the MBS fee for a specialist. If your doctor bills Medicare directly (bulk billing), you will not have to pay anything.
Medicare provides benefits for consultation fees for doctors, including specialists, tests and examinations by doctors needed to treat illnesses, such as x-rays and pathology tests, eye tests performed by optometrists, most surgical and other therapeutic procedures performed by doctors, some surgical procedures performed by approved dentists

5. Education
Free education in the primary to secondary public school systems and the Australian Government will loan College or University tuition up to Doctoral level. Research based programs are paid for by Research Training Scheme (RTS)
For 2017, the HELP limit is $100,879 for most students. For students undertaking medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses the HELP limit is $126,101.
There is no real interest charged on HELP loans. However, your debt will be indexed each year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index to maintain its real value.

6. You have to start repaying your HELP debt through the taxation system once your repayment income is above the compulsory repayment threshold, even if you are still studying. The compulsory repayment threshold is adjusted each year. The compulsory repayment threshold for the income year is $54,126 and the compulsory repayment threshold for the income year is $54,869.

7. Family Payments
Family tax benefits and supplements for children (ex. if you have four children you may receive benefits of up to $1100 a fortnight (every 2 weeks) – means tested
Rent Allowance
Utilities allowance
Government pays for half the cost of childcare (pre-kindergarten) – not means tested
If low income earner, a Health care card will be issued, free medicals (aside from Medicare), free dentist, discounted medicines, transportation, movies

8. Visa waivers
In February 2016 holders of an Australian passport can visit more than 169 countries and territories visa-free or with visa on arrival, and Australia is currently ranked 8th in terms of travel freedom
Includes US, Canada, UK, and New Zealand among other countries

9. Migration assessment
AITSL – Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership
AITSL assesses overseas qualifications using the Country Education Profiles (CEP) which are produced and maintained by Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), the Australian Government authority on the recognition of overseas qualifications in Australia.

10. Teacher occupations on the Skilled Occupation List (aside from the CSOL)

11. Costs of assessment
The following fees apply to AITSL Assessment for Migration services
AITSL Skills assessment                                   AUD635
Appeal of assessment outcome                         AUD635
Skilled Employment Statement (SES)*               AUD215
Additional copy of assessment outcome           AUD90
*A fee applies when a SES is requested after the issue of an assessment outcome or an applicant requests a previous SES to be revised/updated to include recent employment.

12. Initial teacher education qualification
This is the qualification required to teach in an early childhood (pre-primary school), primary or secondary school classroom. The initial teacher education qualification must involve at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) and be specific to the stage of schooling of the nominated occupation. The final academic transcript for the initial teacher qualification must include a program of professional studies in education including discipline-specific curriculum, pedagogical studies, general education studies and supervised teaching practice relevant to the age range of the students for the occupation you have nominated.

13. Supervised teaching practice
Supervised teaching practice is the compulsory component of an initial teacher education program during which time a student teacher is on a school placement and engaged in the teaching and learning process with school students. This teaching practice is under the supervision of a qualified teacher and university education staff and is formally assessed. A minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice with the age range of the students relevant to your nominated occupation is required. University based teaching practice activities undertaken with fellow students and university staff will not be considered.

14. Pre-primary teachers
An initial teacher education qualification relevant to the early childhood (pre- primary school) teacher occupation of at least one year full-time study (or part time equivalent) at the higher education (university) level. The qualification must include a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice with students across the ages Birth to 8 years in education programs prior to and in the early years of primary school.

15. Secondary teachers
An initial teacher education qualification relevant to the secondary school teacher occupation of at least one year full-time study (or part time equivalent) at the higher education (university) level. The qualification must include a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice with students across the age range of years in a secondary school setting.

16. Work experience towards supervised teaching practice
No it does not count, only supervised teaching practice undertaken with school students in a school setting as a requirement of the initial teacher education program will be considered.
Work experience as a teacher undertaken before or after the completion of an initial teacher education qualification is not considered as supervised teaching practice. This includes employment as a teacher while studying for an initial teacher education qualification as this teaching experience is not a compulsory part of the initial teacher education program.

17. AITSL does not consider incomplete studies in the assessment process.
Incomplete qualifications and Montessori qualifications. Can these be used as evidence of initial teacher education studies?
AITSL does not consider incomplete studies in the assessment process.
No, Montessori qualifications are not recognised by AITSL as meeting the professional criterion for the purpose of migration as it is considered a specialised method of teaching.

18. Are the occupations Special Needs Teacher (ANZSCO ) and Special Education Teacher (nec) (ANZSCO ) the same?
No, a Special Needs Teacher has a specialist qualification for teaching students in early childhood, primary, middle and secondary school, with learning difficulties or other special needs.
A Special Education Teacher (not elsewhere classified) has a specialist qualification in a distinct fields/s of special education not covered by the occupations:
Special needs teacher
Teacher of the hearing impaired
Teacher of the sight impaired

19. English language proficiency
All applicants must meet the English language proficiency criterion. The criterion is informed by the nationally consistent teaching registration requirements which represent the standard of English required for teaching in Australia. All applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency by meeting one of the following options:
(i) An Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test Report Form (TRF) that shows:
a score of at least 7.0 for both Reading and Writing; and
a score of at least 8.0 for both Speaking and Listening.
The IELTS test scores must appear on a single IELTS TRF and be the result of a test undertaken during the 24 month period prior to submitting an application.

20. Which occupation and Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code to select
 It is important to select the ANZSCO that is relevant to your teaching qualification.
AITSL will assess the initial teacher education qualification only against the requirements of the occupation nominated.
As a guide, in Australia, Early Childhood (pre- primary school) teachers teach children aged Birth to 8 years of age. Primary school teachers teach children aged 5 or 6 to 12 years of age. Middle school teachers teach children 10 to 15 years of age. Secondary school teachers teach children aged 13 to 18 years of age.
AITSL assesses one occupation only per application. AITSL requires a complete application to be lodged for assessment. All supporting documents must be included at the time the application is submitted.

21. Assessment timeframes
AITSL does not provide a fast track assessment service. AITSL is processing all applications within 10 weeks from the date of the initial notification , sent on approval of your payment, providing all the required supporting documents are submitted with the application.
An AITSL Skills Assessment Certificate is valid for two years from the date of issue.
An assessment outcome will be delayed if an application is incorrect or incomplete.
If an assessment outcome is needed by a specific date, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure a complete assessment application is lodged well before the date an assessment outcome is required.

22. After receiving a Skills Assessment Certificate
Apply for registration with the teacher regulatory authority in the state or territory in which you intend to teach.
For Early Childhood (pre-primary school) teachers, contact the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) to obtain a pre-employment assessment. (Most likely will need TAFE or VET qualifications if want to work in childcare)
Contact education employers in the state or territory in which you intend to teach to identify employment opportunities

23. Australian teacher regulatory authorities
Victoria - Victorian Institute of Teaching
New South Wales - Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards
Queensland - Queensland College of Teachers
Australian Capital Territory - Teacher Quality Institute
Tasmania - Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania
South Australia - Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
Western Australia - Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia
Northern Territory - Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory
Australasian Teacher Regulatory Authorities

24. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Skilled Independent, Sponsored or Work Placements such as 457, RSMS, ENS visas (after getting the assessment)
Skilled Independent visas
Permanent residency visas for those eligible, and without a sponsor-employer or state sponsorship (Subclass 189 and 190). It is a points tested visa and depends on age, English exam scores, educational qualifications, work experience. After the AITSL assessment, should this be the pathway chosen for an Australian visa, the processing time is 9 to 15 months.
Cost $3600, dependent under 18 $900, over 18 $1800

26. Case scenario
Johnny is 32 years old. He went to a University in the Philippines and gained registration there as a Secondary Teacher with the Professional Regulation Commission when he completed his course.
After working for six months in the Philippines, Johnny could not find permanent work in the a local school and has not practiced as a teacher.
Johnny wants a better life and better pay so he joins a support group that caters to Australian migration. He finds out he needs to get an assessment from AITSL and pass the IELTS scores needed to get a favourable assessment and reviews well.

27. Case scenario
He passes his IELTS and AITSL assessment and gets a positive migration assessment. He is not yet eligible for work and sponsorship so he starts to look at the State teaching regulators for registration.
While looking for employment, he wants to make sure that he gets to his desired destination so he decides to apply for a Skilled Independent visa, even without a sponsor. But he lacks 5 points to get the 60 points needed. He takes the translator exam to get an extra 5 points to get the points needed.
While he is still applying for work online, he applies for a Skilled Independent visa and gets permanent residency while waiting.

28. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
457 Visas - Temporary work (skilled), specially for Primary Teachers (not on the SOL)
This visa provides for long-term entry for up to four years for people with business interests or employment in Australia. A 457 (Temporary work-skilled) visa is the one of the most popular Australian visas because it is a pathway to a permanent visa (Employer Nomination Scheme). Processing time 1 week to 3 months.
Cost $1060, dependent under 18 $265, over 18 $1060

29. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Permanent Skilled Workers (Employment Nominated Visas)
Australian employers can sponsor overseas employees with a permanent visa as long as they are operating a business lawfully and actively. The employer sponsored program aims to allow Australian employers to satisfy the skill shortages by recruiting overseas skilled workers

30. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
The two employer-sponsored visa categories are: (Processing time around 6 months)
• the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186
• the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187

31. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
While ENS can assist Australian businesses anywhere in Australia to fill vacancies in their business, RSMS can only be used by employers in regional or low population areas in Australia. Concessional criteria and a wider range of permissible occupations for nomination apply for RSMS applications.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows employers anywhere in Australia to nominate skilled people for permanent visas. There is only one subclass, subclass 186, which can be applied for when the visa applicant is in Australia or overseas.
Cost $3600, dependent under 18 $900, over 18 $1800

32. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
There are 2 usual nomination streams available:
· the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
· the Direct Entry stream (DE) stream
Different nomination criteria apply, depending on whether the nominee will be applying under the TRT stream, or under the DE stream. TRT stream can be available to those who have held a 457 visa for 2 years in the past 3 years under the nominator. This visa stream is the most favourable one for the visa applicants.

33. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
If you do not have work experience in Australia, you are required to meet the criteria of the Direct Entry stream in most cases. The applicants in the Direct Entry stream are required to be under the age of 50 and have IELTS
6.0 on each band at time of visa application.

34. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) helps Australian employers in regional and low population growth areas to recruit skilled foreign workers to fill permanent vacancies that are unable to be filled from the local labour market. RSMS applications are given highest priority processing pursuant to Direction No 50, issued under section 499 of the Act
Cost $3600, dependent under 18 $900, over 18 $1800

35. Employment opportunities
SEEK is Australia's number one job site with over 150,000 jobs online and visited 14.7 million times each month. 
Jobbydoo help you to find jobs and job vacancies from all career sites in Australia. 
MyCareer aims to provide you with the best jobs from the best employers across Australia, while also delivering you new ways and new technology to make it easier to find the job that’s right for you. 

36. Level 19, 1 O’Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Website:
For continued support, or Facebook: m.au or search for Fil-Aus Teachers Facebook page and register by PM

37. We hope to see you on the other side of the Harbour Bridge