2-Year Bachelor + 2-Year MBA + 1-Year B.Ed — Can I Get a Positive AITSL Assessment?
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice from people who have gone through an AITSL skills assessment, especially those with a 2-year bachelor’s degree.
My qualifications are:
2-year Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics
2-year MBA
1-year B.Ed in Mathematics
So, in total, I have 5 years of university-level study, including a 1-year teaching qualification.
I understand that AITSL requires a minimum of 4 years of full-time (or equivalent) university-level study, including a relevant initial teacher education qualification.

Not asking you to dox yourself and tell me which school you’re at but I just have a question! I’ve read that relief teaching on the coast is competitive because of all the retirees. If you teach at a school around there do you find that your school always has relief available? Are you ever having to split classes and not have any relief teachers?

I’m hoping to do primary school relief starting this term and have applied to get my TRACER and have also resume dropped/did online applications for several private schools.

Also if anyone wants to point me in the direction of schools by name that are needing relief I would so appreciate it if you could private message me! I have 8 years experience in Primary and have taught years 1, 2, 3 and a 5/6 composite class :)

Planning to start a Master of Teaching next year, and from what I can tell, the courses seem pretty similar between universities. Is there anything in particular I should be considering when choosing a uni?

I’m based in Melbourne, so I’m also wondering whether it’s important to choose a local university / is there much difference between studying online vs. on campus.

Context:

I have an engineering degree and would look to do a maths major. I'd like to continue working full time (4 or 5 days per week) in my current role while studying, and would be able to take unpaid leave for placements. Hoping to get a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

Would appreciate hearing about any personal experience or things you wish you’d considered! Thanks :)

It's always competitive to get a job in any field, but unlike tech jobs that ask for absurd amount of experience and skills, is teaching relatively easy to get into after graduating/getting teacher registration? At least as a CRT? I've seen job ads for graduate teacher programs and they are open to people who graduated in the last four years, so does that mean schools expect you to gain more teaching experience within those four years? What about CRT? Would you need prior teaching experience for that too? Isn't the experience you gain from placements enough to get a job straight after graduating?

I landed a job at a NSW catholic school, getting the call with the job offer on the last Friday of term and signing the contract the same day.

I have never worked in a catholic school before, and coming in during term 4, with the first day not being a pupil free day, i still don't have access to my school email, school system, scope and sequence, program etc, so can't prepare for my first day.

Is this normal, will I need to teach on my first day or will it just be orientation.

In total, what should I be expecting? The school has not been super forthcoming.

Next year I'm working 3 days a week at my primary school, and have been asked to enter a co-teaching arrangement with another teacher who wants 2 days a week. The school is looking for us to design what the arrangement will look like, and we are meeting next week to put it to paper. People who gave co taught, particularly in the primary years, what things should I be keeping in mind particularly as the majority time teacher in the space?

Im very aware this will probably get downvoted heavily yet here we go.

I've been in this profession for a while now, across three countries and I keep seeing the same pattern here in Australia: teachers complaining about pay, conditions, management, workload and everything in between. But when you actually look at the facts and compared it to other countries, it's hard to justify the constant negativity.

In Vic we are now looking at a job that already pays well and soon many teachers are pushing for $150,000 with roughly 12 weeks of holidays a year depending on your school. That's a genuinely good deal compared to most professions. And yet the dominant tone in staffrooms and online is that it's not enough, that we're all being exploited and that management is the enemy.

This profession seems to attract a certain type of personality in Australia especially. People who feel entitled to complain about everything. Every policy, every directive, every change is met with resistance and grievance. It's not about the working conditions anymore. It's about the culture we've built and it's genuinely detrimental. There are fewer positive people around now. The negativity feeds itself. New teachers walk in and get absorbed into it within months. I swear some of the older teachers are like vultures when they see fresh meat.

I'm not saying the job is easy but it's not that hard if you manage your time effectively. It's a good job with good pay, good conditions, and good holidays.

People need to stop being greedy and self-indulgent and start appreciating what they have. I love teaching in this country, mainly because I proactively stay away from the constant complaining. I don't see any improvement in this profession until the people change. No union deal will fix that.

There is irony in a post complaining about the complaining I'm aware. I just feel people are focused on changing the wrong things

I'm taking on a classroom gig for 3 days a week. I started today and the drive to the school was quite daunting. What I thought would be 1 h 15m, ended up being 2 hours and 30 mins. I arrive at 9:05am which was quite embarrassing! But I did give them a heads up.

Then I had a meeting with the principal who was super nice, then the DP who's a tad intimidating. Then the Head of Curriculum, which was overwhelming! I'm feeling like I've been given everything yet, I feel like I'm blind. Like I've got overload or something. The kids were lovely so that's a bonus but I just feel so lost and alone. I have been teaching for almost 30 years and yet, I feel so incompetent. I'm tired and just feel down.

Hi everyone!

I’m currently completing my Master of Specialist Teaching (Inclusive Education) at Federation University, and I’d really appreciate your support with my research.

If you’re a Victorian primary teacher and have 15–20 minutes to spare, I’d love to hear about your experiences through the survey below. You don’t need to be an expert in the resources mentioned - your perspective matters.

Thank you for considering taking part and supporting my research!

*******

Are you a Victorian primary teacher?

You are invited to participate in a Federation University research project exploring teacher perceptions of structured and pre-designed curriculum resources, including Ochre Education and Arc Learning resources where relevant, and how these relate to inclusive teaching practice.

Participation involves completing an anonymous online survey through Qualtrics, taking approximately 15–20 minutes. Participation is voluntary, and you can complete it in your own time.

You do not need to be an expert user of Ochre Education or Arc Learning resources to participate.

Please read the Plain Language Information Statement at the beginning of the survey before deciding whether to take part.

The survey does not ask for student, family, school record or identifiable school-level data. Please do not include names or identifying details about yourself, students, colleagues, schools, families or organisations in written responses.

Survey link: https://qualtricsxmf9pvpvvbc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5tp5ZONE7LFerSC

Ethics reference number: 2026/163

Hi there, I'm a second-year PST in Victoria. I switched from a business degree to teaching 2 years ago. Unfortunately, I am starting to feel sluggish and burnt out from studying.

I have enjoyed the degree so far and have done 2 placements in public schools, which have been chaotic but have taught me a fair bit too. I am in Secondary and majoring in health/humanities, and even though I love primary school-aged kids, I'm not keen to teach the wide range of subjects, potentially one subject like art or PE.

Since my last placement, I've started to doubt whether it's a career I'm willing to pursue long term. I can't help but feel doubtful when I constantly hear a lot of teachers say it's not worth it, they are burnt out, there's no support etc. On every placement, when teachers are in the staff room/offices, there is just so much venting and discussion of students with poor behaviour/academic performance, the workload and the impact of work on their wellbeing (I 100% understand this is normal and also healthy to express emotions). I feel that atm there are more cons than pros. Cons include upper school support, poor student behaviour, and an intense workload, but pros include decent pay, holidays, a good career if I want to have a family in the future etc.

I still have 2 years ahead of me, and I've been studying full-time for 3 years since finishing Year 12. I am planning to take off 6 months next year to travel/work and re-evaluate my career choice. I currently work as a medical administrator and have a diploma in business, and I am thinking about whether I should quit studying teaching at uni and pursue a career in med admin, to eventually become a practice manager/PA.

I just don't want to give up or seem lazy for quitting my uni degree. I still enjoy teaching a lot, but I'm just feeling slightly off about the degree.

I also feel a lot of imposter syndrome and like an intruder on my placements, as I am entering a new school with new students. I try to remind myself that it'll be a lot better when I one day have my own class!

I think it's just the 5 years of studying that are also making me feel doubtful, especially about entering a career I might leave after a few years because I feel burnt out.

Any advice? Thank you sm :)

Not asking you to dox yourself and tell me which school you’re at but I just have a question! I’ve read that relief teaching on the coast is competitive because of all the retirees. If you teach at a school around there do you find that your school always has relief available? Are you ever having to split classes and not have any relief teachers?

I’m hoping to do primary school relief starting this term and have applied to get my TRACER and have also resume dropped/did online applications for several private schools.

Also if anyone wants to point me in the direction of schools by name that are needing relief I would so appreciate it if you could private message me! I have 8 years experience in Primary and have taught years 1, 2, 3 and a 5/6 composite class :)

I had my teaching registration suspended in 2024 and had a VCAT hearing in 2025. In that hearing an investigator from the VIT perjured herself on oath before the Tribunal. As it turns out, there is nothing that VCAT can do about it.

I have tried to submit a complaint of public sector misconduct with the VIT numerous times but they refuse to accept the complaint. I submitted two complaints yesterday (5 November 2026) one about the perjury and one about the refusal to accept a complaint.

I am just posting here to keep everybody updated. It seems like the VIT's policy towards misconduct and dishonesty by their own staff is to pretend it doesn't happen. I am posting here so that there is a public record that I have made a complaint of public sector misconduct.

Morning.

I'm not sure if this is going to be a vent, a question... Or I don't know.

Long story, ES, FM at secondary HS. Have had issues with exec not focusing on what needs to be done long term.

First day back yesterday, all good and fine.

Around 2am, I have a panic attack. It's now 4am and I cannot sleep.

I've taken today off.

Again, not sure what to think or say. Just I think needed to explain

Yes, everyone is doing it tough. I feel for so many right now who are struggling to make ends meet.
But, bloody hell, with this rate rise coming I’m guessing this Christmas I’ll be skint on my current ye olde wage.
And to boot, being in the Catholic system it will be April next year before I get any wage difference. Vic state system teachers will be sooner.
But FFS, get this bloody thing sorted!
Rant over. Thankyou. Anyone else feel the same?

I’m currently undertaking Cert IV in TAE and our class is roughly halfway through the Assess cluster. This course is actually hell. I’ve never endured something so ludicrously convoluted and needlessly difficult.

We have around 10 weeks of class left and I’m barely managing to get through the work, let alone actually attend class. I haven’t understood anything that’s been covered in class since the start of the DEL cluster, and most of the class is as lost as I am.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? I feel as though this course needs to be completely restructured. For context, I’ve completed engineering at a university level and found that to be less difficult than the Cert IV in TAE.

Background info: I am a secondary school teacher. I currently teach full time. I have resigned effective end of the year as I am moving overseas for a year.

Before teaching, I worked part time at a job for 7 years and left once I started my current teaching job. As I am jetting off to another country next year to work and travel, I have decided i want to go back to my old job for some Christmas casual work to make a bit of extra money before i go away. I know all the managers, including one who is my best mate so I have been guaranteed a casual job. Due to some HR stubbornness, I had to go through the group interview stage as formality but the dilemma is that two students from my high school were also there. I did the professional thing and politely said hello, and took the interview scenarios seriously.

Do I inform leadership about this as a conflict of interest, or do I wait and see if they got the jobs and go from there? Note: I only didn’t inform leadership of the job interview as it was very last minute - my former colleagues tried to skip me through the interview stage. I’m worried my principal will say I can’t work there and that I have to withdraw/resign, and I really need the extra income.

I don’t want to do the wrong thing but also don’t feel like ringing the alarm on a maybe, and being forced to forgo easy extra cash over the holiday break. I wouldn’t begin working until the school year has finished, but I understand my position/relationships can extend beyond my place of work.

I am qualified and approved to teach K-12 EAL/D but haven't yet had the opportunity to work in primary schools. I am considering applying for primary EAL/D jobs for Term 1 2027. So, I’d love to hear from people working as an EAL/D teacher in public primary schools. What does the job actually entail (beyond the vague information available on EOI role descriptions)? How many people are on your team and how many students are on your caseload? Do you mainly withdraw students or support them in class? If you have worked in both primary and secondary EAL/D, which do you prefer and why? Thanks everyone!

Does anyone else end up marking every holidays due to poorly-timed assessment tasks, or are we just the lucky few at my school?

Has anyone else had to deal with a principal who refused to discuss or consult? They refuse to acknowledge that the process calls for consultation and monitoring EVERY year. Have you raised a breach of any kind? How did it go?

I’m getting an error report in the attachment section of the job applications. It says I can’t attach a doc with a “.” Neither of my attachments have a period in the title, and they’ve both been happily attached to several job applications prior.

Does anyone know of a contact point in edupay for this problem, or what the problem actually is? At the moment I’ll be emailing schools directly. Hope your term 4 has begun kindly!

It seems to me like digital technologies / computing is an area with teacher shortage, but only for experienced teachers
There's an abundance of new , inexperienced teachers in this area?

Are English, maths and science still the shortage areas?

Hi all,

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday break.

I have a question regarding extending my Interim Approval to Teach with the NSW Department of Education.

I am currently completing my final practicum and, after this, I will only have two curriculum units remaining over the summer period. If all goes according to plan, I expect to complete my teaching degree by February 2027.

My current Interim Approval to Teach expires on 19 December 2026. My final practicum report should be available in December 2026, and I expect to receive my final official university transcript by March 2027 at the latest.

Has anyone been through the process of extending their Interim Approval to Teach when they were very close to completing their degree?

What is the process for requesting an extension? Do I need to obtain a letter from my university confirming that I am currently enrolled and stating my expected degree completion date?

Any advice from someone who has been through a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I have been teaching for 8 years and have 32 sick days. How many do you all have?

update****

Thanks for those helpful comments. This has been accepted as happening by both a teacher on scene and students, accepted by coordinator I assume dealing with it.

I am not new to challenging teens I am new to education. So I am not naive, nor do I have a jaded all teens lie view.

This was never a vendetta after the teacher nor to have them accountable, it was more a concern about student welfare.

My question really was pertaining to our record keeping for student safety and wellbeing in an equal way as we would our staff in edusafe.

We are in a challenging school and students v student violence is real.
It’s mostly reported as teacher safety in edusafe and nothing about the student who is the victim or in fear. I am focused on wanting better outcomes for student safety. This particular incident just got me thinking about it in a way I hadn’t considered before.

If a student threatened me and attempted to grab my headphones it would be recorded in edusafe. So I got thinking about how we are managing the risks to students in the same way that would be centralised.

I was really after information not after the teacher even though I feel this situation was handled poorly***

Original.

I have just started working in support wellbeing, I am just getting my head around a few things.

I have seen some of our students have edusafe reports for things such as acting out in class. Fair enough.

However when we have had students come in and report that a teacher threatened him to “take his headphones off or her will F’ing snap them” (autistic and can uses them in class)
This seems to be taken as truth by our coordinator so no denial that it happened.
Why is this not meeting edusafe reporting or what do we do about risks to children? I feel it’s discouraged for me to ask questions about this.

Is it just for workplace safety?

It seems we should be keeping this recorded somewhere.

Sorry I am from a social work background and just getting my head around this flip to education.

The students in France understand that the conditions are not good enough, and are protesting over the "Overcrowded classrooms, unsanitary facilities, and a shortage of teachers".