WA Schools not recognising PGCE Teaching qualification

[Guest Guest6235]

We submitted our 189 last week, my wife is a Maths teacher with 10 years experience. Whilst researching we came across the following table of salaries on the WA dept of education website:

 

http://det.wa.edu.au/careers/detcms/navigation/category.jsp?categoryID=14081653#toc2

 

From what we have read in various places we believed that she would be at around level 2.9 of this structure but have also heard that TRBWA don't recognise the PGCE teaching qualification (even though AITSL do) and also that they place teachers basically where they want on the scale irrespective of past experience.

 

Can any teachers shed any light on this for us?

 

Thanks,

 

Keith

[Akasully2]

Really? The first I have heard about that. I submitted my registration forms to TRBWA and on the forms it clearly states what evidence they need to qualify. No mention of this. Admittedly I am waiting to hear from them. Would be very interested to hear from others who have applied to them.

 

Thanks for adding the link. Very helpful.

Edited April 6, 2014 by Akasully2

[aligard]

Hi, I'm a primary teacher with 22 years experience. I have my trb registration,have a PGCE but am not in perth yet. I've just checked my documents and it doesn't say which scale I'll be on but all my quals have been recognised, even a maths post grad I got 2 years ago. I've emailed the trb to see what they say. Will let you know

 

We submitted our 189 last week, my wife is a Maths teacher with 10 years experience. Whilst researching we came across the following table of salaries on the WA dept of education website:

 

http://det.wa.edu.au/careers/detcms/navigation/category.jsp?categoryID=14081653#toc2

 

From what we have read in various places we believed that she would be at around level 2.9 of this structure but have also heard that TRBWA don't recognise the PGCE teaching qualification (even though AITSL do) and also that they place teachers basically where they want on the scale irrespective of past experience.

 

Can any teachers shed any light on this for us?

 

Thanks,

 

Keith

[Akasully2]

Thanks Aligard, good to know the PGCE is accepted. When you registered did they ask you for evidence of work experience? There was no mention of it on the form apart from listing where you had worked. but someone on PP said they thought they needed it. To cut through the confusion I emailed TRBWA and they said it was not required for this. So did they ask for it later?

 

What does the confirmation document contain? Do they send through a CRB check confirmation too?

[Guest Guest6235]

Hi, I'm a primary teacher with 22 years experience. I have my trb registration,have a PGCE but am not in perth yet. I've just checked my documents and it doesn't say which scale I'll be on but all my quals have been recognised, even a maths post grad I got 2 years ago. I've emailed the trb to see what they say. Will let you know

 

Cheers, Whereabouts are you now?

 

We found it out from a teacher from England who has 8 years experience who is now up in Yanchep teaching and has had to start again near the lower end!

[Loulou]

Our friends husband is in port Macquarie and can't get work with the state schools unless he does another year at uni . He has been teaching high school maths in Uk for 13 years. Is only picking up relief in the private catholic schools.

[Guest Guest6235]

Our friends husband is in port Macquarie and can't get work with the state schools unless he does another year at uni . He has been teaching high school maths in Uk for 13 years. Is only picking up relief in the private catholic schools.

 

Lou,

 

Do you know what teaching qualification he has as this sounds a bit strange.

 

The person we know teaching in Perth has said he is inundated with offers of relief work and when the next available full time position comes along at the school he is teaching at then it's his.

 

Our concern was that schools can give out whatever wage they want regardless of the supposed pay structure in place.

 

Also next year apparently year 7 children will be in secondary school in WA so possibly more opportunities for all teachers.

 

Keith

[aligard]

Hi, trb wa didn't ask for experience but I sent all my certified letters from my councils that I've worked for anyway. I've emailed the trb wa and they said it is up to the school you work in so I guess it could be the case. The trb wa document just states that you are a non practising teacher( you register as soon as you start work). I sent through my police check with everything else. You will need to get a police screening number from the education dept too. Hope it helps

 

Thanks Aligard, good to know the PGCE is accepted. When you registered did they ask you for evidence of work experience? There was no mention of it on the form apart from listing where you had worked. but someone on PP said they thought they needed it. To cut through the confusion I emailed TRBWA and they said it was not required for this. So did they ask for it later?

 

What does the confirmation document contain? Do they send through a CRB check confirmation too?

[Akasully2]

Thanks for that Aligard. I just sent certified copies of proof of education, degree and PGCE. Plus identity evidence. I've had a letter back saying they have received it and that it will go through a three stage checking process.

[Zebradeb]

I haven't started my process yet and neither has OH.... we were going to just register on shore... I am super worried about jobs and just hopeful that something comes up very quickly indeed. How much was it to register guys??? and would you recommend registering from UK before we go..... how long is it taking??? ....questions..questions

[Akasully2]

I ummed and arr'd about this too. Decided that it would prob be easier to do it from the UK as I had easier access to phoning universities for proof of course, access to a someone to certify docs, proof of address, etc. Also it meant one less thing to worry about once there. The way I looked at it was, I had to fork out the money at some point, be it here or there. The annual fee is also paid regardless. Pleased I did do it here now. Just need to update them when I move incase they send it to my old address.

 

fees, around £240 ish. Plus annual fee of around £70 from memory.

[Rossmoyne]

Neither the TRBWA nor the schools set the level of salary for teachers. This is set by the Payroll Section of the Department of Education if teaching in the government sector, or individual schools if teaching in the private sector.

 

To ensure that you will be paid commensurate with your teaching experience, you need to submit Statements of Service to the Department of Education or to your private school employer.

 

The Statement of Service should be on letterhead of the school or employing authority, and be signed by someone in authority - usually the Deputy Principal or Principal. It should contain the following information in dot points:

 

* title of position (eg classroom teacher - head of department etc - if specialist teacher state subject taught eg secondary maths etc)

* dates of employment (DD/MM/YYYY format - beginning to end date)

* any dates of time taken as leave without pay during the employment (sick, maternity, sick etc also in DD/MM/YYYY format)

* work fraction (fulltime or part-time - if part-time show how many days - 1 day is shown as 0.2 fulltime is 1.0)

 

The Department of Education are incredibly fussy about this and will only accept Statements of Service presented with this format. They also can take a while to process the information, but will backdate the correct rate of salary to date of commencement once it has been assessed. This information used to be lodged direct with the Payroll Section by the teacher, but I understand that schools now appoint teachers following recruitment and this paperwork is submitted to the Payroll Section via them. So it might mean that your correct salary scale doesn't kick in until you have worked a few weeks.

 

It is however 16 months since I retired as a senior HR officer with DoE and I hope the above is still current.... according to colleagues still teaching with DoE the above is accurate. Please let me know though it you find it to be otherwise so I don't continue to give inaccurate advice.

[Rossmoyne]

TRBWA will recognise a PGCE so long as it is connected to the subject of the undergrad degree. EG you have a BEng and PGCE is for Design and Technology etc. However if you have an obscure degree in say "Oriental Art" and a PGCE in Maths.... well it won't recognise the PGCE then.

[Rossmoyne]

Our friends husband is in port Macquarie and can't get work with the state schools unless he does another year at uni . He has been teaching high school maths in Uk for 13 years. Is only picking up relief in the private catholic schools.

 

To teach in any Australian school you have to be registered with the relevant Teachers Registration Board and you have to have either a 4 year teaching degree, or a three year Degree topped by a PGCE. Many UK Unis used to have 3 year education degrees so this is probably why he has fallen between the cracks! It is possible to do a Grad Dip of Ed (Oz version of a PGCE) part-time whilst working and also get credit for Prior Learning. He needs to talk to various unis about his situation. Totally understand how annoyed he must be, but to fit in with the rules and regs he might need to go that route.

[Rossmoyne]

Cheers, Whereabouts are you now?

 

We found it out from a teacher from England who has 8 years experience who is now up in Yanchep teaching and has had to start again near the lower end!

 

He needs to ring Payroll at DoE about this. If he can prove his experience through Statements of Service (see my previous post) his salary will be adjusted.

[Rossmoyne]

I haven't started my process yet and neither has OH.... we were going to just register on shore... I am super worried about jobs and just hopeful that something comes up very quickly indeed. How much was it to register guys??? and would you recommend registering from UK before we go..... how long is it taking??? ....questions..questions

 

The registration process can be drawn out so I suggest you start it before you get to Perth.

[Guest Guest6235]

The registration process can be drawn out so I suggest you start it before you get to Perth.

 

Thank you so much for your information.

 

Do you think she should be closer to the level attached on the link below then for 10 years of teachers experience. She did the 3 year degree topped with PGCE.

 

http://det.wa.edu.au/careers/detcms/navigation/category.jsp?categoryID=14081653#toc2

 

Also to register with WA you have to send a passport away along with certificates etc which we were a bit wary of but as you say this may be beneficial to do. My wife has already sent her certificates away and transcripts for the skills assessments.

 

Our friend did in in Perth and took him a couple of hours when he went to the offices and cost him around $480.

 

Thanks

 

Keith

[Rossmoyne]

Thank you so much for your information.

 

Do you think she should be closer to the level attached on the link below then for 10 years of teachers experience. She did the 3 year degree topped with PGCE.

 

http://det.wa.edu.au/careers/detcms/navigation/category.jsp?categoryID=14081653#toc2

 

Also to register with WA you have to send a passport away along with certificates etc which we were a bit wary of but as you say this may be beneficial to do. My wife has already sent her certificates away and transcripts for the skills assessments.

 

Our friend did in in Perth and took him a couple of hours when he went to the offices and cost him around $480.

 

Thanks

 

Keith

 

Keith I can't comment on the level your partner would be on salary-wise - she needs to prove that to DoE.

 

I am sure they only want a certified copy of the passport bio page..... cannot believe they want you to send the passport! Certified copies of everything I am sure... you can get them certified by a Solicitor or at your local Court I am sure. Never let originals go out of your hand unless you are on the other side of a counter!!

 

If you wish to leave the registration process until you get to Perth that is your decision, just my suggestion to do it through mail and email before you get here as I have worked in the Education sector in WA for 20 plus years and know how long it can take.

[tayloal]

Some brilliant posts on this thread, this information is going to be invaluable. My GF is just going through her skills assessment and was wondering about the next stage after she gets her visa when / if it comes through, she has a 4 year B.Ed degree.

 

With regards to the year 7's going to high school, I heard this from a teacher I was speaking to a few weeks back, they also said the primary schools may start looking for pre primary teachers as they will be looking to take in pre-primary children to cover the loss of the numbers from the Year 7.

[Sammy1]

With regards to the year 7's going to high school, I heard this from a teacher I was speaking to a few weeks back, they also said the primary schools may start looking for pre primary teachers as they will be looking to take in pre-primary children to cover the loss of the numbers from the Year 7.

 

 

WA Primary Schools have had full time Pre-Primary and part time Kindy classes for years!

 

2013 also heralded the start of compulsory Pre-Primary education, whereas before that time it was a choice parents made as to whether to send their children or wait until Year One.

 

There is a huge oversupply of Primary teachers in WA and many are undertaking short courses to enable them to teach lower secondary in 2015.

 

Many universities in Perth are advising their ECE and Primary students to change to secondary teaching because the job situation in ECE and Primary is so poor.

Edited April 8, 2014 by Sammy1

[Akasully2]

Rossmoyne, thanks for your clarification. I a going to contact my old employers to get the proof I need before I go. Just need to get the house shipment done first, such a time consuming activity. Can't believe I am on here, must get back to it!

[Rossmoyne]

WA Primary Schools have had full time Pre-Primary and part time Kindy classes for years!

 

2013 also heralded the start of compulsory Pre-Primary education, whereas before that time it was a choice parents made as to whether to send their children or wait until Year One.

 

There is a huge oversupply of Primary teachers in WA and many are undertaking short courses to enable them to teach lower secondary in 2015.

 

Many universities in Perth are advising their ECE and Primary students to change to secondary teaching because the job situation in ECE and Primary is so poor.

 

Perfect answer Sammy... did I train you at DoE???

[aligard]

Hi, we're not in perth yet, outskirts of Hull.QUOTE=Keefo;96044]Cheers, Whereabouts are you now?

 

We found it out from a teacher from England who has 8 years experience who is now up in Yanchep teaching and has had to start again near the lower end!

[Guest Guest6235]

Hi, we're not in perth yet, outskirts of Hull.QUOTE=Keefo;96044]Cheers, Whereabouts are you now?

 

We found it out from a teacher from England who has 8 years experience who is now up in Yanchep teaching and has had to start again near the lower end!

 

Not sure if that quote is mixed up.

[Loulou]

He did a 3 year degree and then PGCE so that seems to be the issue.