Teaching

How to Apply

Learn how to apply to teacher education programs in Australia.

Overview

Wondering how to apply to an Australian teaching program? Look no further. We’ll guide you through the process, step by step.

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

If you have questions or concerns at any stage in the process, we are just a call or an email away!

1. Eligibility

Determining Your Eligibility

Have you met the minimum GPA requirement? Do you have all the prerequisites?

Figuring out if you’re eligible to apply to a program is a great first step. Eligibility is based on several factors and can differ across universities. To get started, have a look at the following resources:

 

Minimum vs Competitive
Even if you meet the minimum requirements, it doesn’t always mean you’ll be a competitive applicant.

Minimum GPA/admissions test scores are defined by each university and are the lowest scores required to be eligible to apply.

Competitive GPA/admissions test scores are the minimum scores that receive an offer and can vary year to year.

 

We’ll always be transparent about your chances of receiving an offer. Not competitive? We’ll help you figure out your options. Sometimes applicants decide to pursue a different study area—we can help with that, too! Check out our helpful FAQs for more insight on eligibility.

2. Apply Online

Start Your Application

Fill out the OzTREKK application. This application only comes to us, so don’t worry about making a mistake.

Completing your OzTREKK application early is a great way for us to get to know you and your goals, and it ensures you don’t miss a deadline!

 

What to Expect on the Application
The basics: your full name, address, program of interest, etc., plus your education history.

Once you’ve pressed “Submit,” congratulations! You’re officially an OzTREKK student! We’ll send you a confirmation email and let you know what else is required to complete your university application.

If you’d like to make changes to your application or to your program selection, no problem. We can adjust anything as we go.

3. Submit Documents

Submit Your Documents to OzTREKK

You’ve pressed “Submit” on your OzTREKK application and you’re ready for the next step.

 

Upload Your Documents to the myOzTREKK Portal
You’ll receive an email with your log-in credentials. Once you’re set up, you can begin uploading your application documents (except transcripts) to the myOzTREKK student portal. We only need one copy of each document.

The myOzTREKK portal is where you’ll be able to keep track of your applications:

  • Manage your applications (see where you’ve applied or cancel applications)
  • Upload documents like your passport and résumé
  • Review your files and education history (make sure everything looks right!)
  • Submit questions to your admissions team

 

When Should I Send My Documents?
The earlier the better! We’ll need all your documents before the application deadlines; the earlier we have them, the more guidance we can provide.

Remember, we’re here for you throughout the entire process, so always feel free to ask us questions.

4. OzTREKK Submits Application

OzTREKK Submits Your Complete Application(s)

Once all your documents are in, we’ll submit your application to the university and send you a confirmation email with estimated outcome dates.

This is the waiting period. It can be stressful, but now that your application is under assessment, we’ll share everything you need to know in this “layover” phase:

  • Resources for confident decision-making if you receive an offer (or multiple offers!)
  • Financing information (including contacts)
  • Community connections (OzTREKK events and more!)

FAQs

If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact us. We’re here to help!

 

Can my partner or family come to Australia with me if I get an offer? 

Many Canadians wish to fulfill their career goals after getting married, having kids, or both! We’ve had plenty of students who have taken their partner and/or children with them.

If you want to take your partner or family with you, you’ll need to add them as a secondary applicant or dependents to your student visa application. Even if you don’t plan on taking them with you, we suggest you add them to your application anyway because it can be complex, expensive, and time-consuming to add them afterwards. You’ll then need to provide additional documentation to support your claims of a relationship or your children’s dependency status.

In addition to looking after the visa, you’ll also need to ensure they’re included on your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), you have appropriate accommodation, and if you’re bringing children, you’ll need to enroll them in school.

Visit our Health Insurance page for more information.

When should I apply?

We recommend you begin your OzTREKK application about a year before your program would start. Most programs in Australia start between January and March, so that means you would start your OzTREKK application between January and March the year prior.

Here’s how the typical “cycle” works if your program starts January – March:

March – May: You gather all required documents like passport photo page, transcripts, résumé, personal statement, and send them to our office. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you exactly what we need!

June – August: Interviews (if your program requires one)

September – December: Offer time! If you get an offer, we’ll walk you through the acceptance (or decline) process and give you all the help you need to get ready to go.

January – March: Time to head Down Under!

Can my entire application be submitted through OzTREKK?

Absolutely. We manage and submit your application(s) on your behalf and communicate any updates from the universities.

Applying to an  Australian or New Zealand university starts by filling out our OzTREKK application: You’ll tell us a bit about yourself, like your name, address, date of birth, education history, and what schools you want to apply to!

When you click “Submit,” the application with all your information only comes to us, so there’s no need to worry about making a mistake at this stage. We then create a file for you (based on your name, not a number!) and email you a list of documents required to complete your application—things like passport photo page, transcripts, résumé, personal statement—but it depends on the program, as some programs require more paperwork than others.

If you get an offer, we’ll help you with that part, too! Whether you want to accept or decline, we’ll help you figure out your next steps. If you accept your offer, we’ll even help you get ready to go. We’re here to be an advocate for you, and to walk you through the entire process from start to finish.

Should you have any questions along the way, just send us an email or book a chat. That’s why we’re here!

Are there any scholarships for international students?

Scholarship options in Australia are usually limited for international students as they tend to be reserved for those undertaking postgraduate research degrees; however, we can advise you where to look and whether specific programs have a history of offering scholarships.

Occasionally, scholarships are granted to high achievers—those with very high marks. In previous years, we have seen $5000- to $10,000-scholarships given to OzTREKK students.

Check out OzTREKK’s Financing page to learn more about scholarships and paying for your degree.

What does “rolling admissions” mean?

Rolling admissions means the university assesses applications as they are received, or on a “first come, first served” basis. As soon as they’ve met the quota and the program is filled, they close the applications. So, for a program that has rolling admissions, the earlier you apply the better!

How does OzTREKK know if my application will be competitive?

The majority of Canadians applying to full-degree programs in Australia (i.e., not study abroad courses, which usually only last a semester or two) apply through OzTREKK. They’re studying medicine, dentistry, law, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.

Since they’re using OzTREKK’s services, this gives us a good idea of the starting point of a competitive application each year, allowing us to help you determine which universities/programs are most likely to present you with a letter of offer!

You can get started on determining your chances by reviewing the admissions requirements on each program page. Then, visit our GPA Conversions and Eligibility pages for details and suggestions to help you get into the program of your dreams. Of course, OzTREKK is always here to help if you have questions.

What is a 5.0 GPA in Australia?

Unlike in Canada, GPAs in Australia are simple. They are standardized, so they mean the same thing to everyone.

In Australia, a 5.0 / 7.0 would roughly translate to a 2.7 / 4.0 or approximately 70% – 72%, but keep in mind all universities assess slightly differently.

Learn more on our GPA Conversions page where we list the most common Canadian GPA scales to their corresponding Australian GPA grade.

Which prerequisites do I need?

Prerequisite courses vary by university and by program. We’ve listed university- and program-specific requirements on each program’s page under “Admissions Requirements.”

How do universities calculate GPA?

Calculations differ by university, but most use cumulative (all units within a program) or weighted GPA (typically last 2 or 3 years of study). See GPA Calculations for more information.

What are official transcripts, and how do I send them?

For a transcript to be considered “official,” it must be sent directly from your high school, college, and/or university (either via snail mail or by email). It can even come from you—as long as it arrives in the original, sealed envelope.

To assess your application, universities must see your official transcripts certified by OzTREKK—a requirement of Australian and New Zealand universities and a part of our agreement with them.

By email (preferred method): Your high school, college and/or university can email them to transcripts@oztrekk.com or they can use an official transcript service, like Parchment or MyCreds. When submitting a request for a digital transcript and a password is required, please use OZTREKK1 (all capitals, no spaces). If you have a character limit or need to set an access pin, please use 1234.

By mail (only if unable to send via email): Please order your transcripts to be sent directly to our office from all institutions where you have studied since high school, including any college studies, exchanges, transfer credits, and/or advanced placement (or IB) studies. Please note, some programs also require high school transcripts; if this is the case, your student advisor will let you know.

Send your documents via FedEx or Purolator, especially when you need your documents to arrive at our office ASAP. If you use Canada Post’s courier Xpresspost, please don’t request a signature, as this can add delays.

OzTREKK
301–1 Sherbrooke Street East
Perth, ON K7H 1A1 Canada

As soon as your transcript arrives, we’ll let you know!

What if I don’t have a completed undergraduate degree?

You may consider Bachelor of Education program options; however, in some provinces this degree alone may not meet the requirement to return to Canada to teach. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the provincial teaching requirements before committing to an undergraduate-level teaching program.

If I have already completed a teaching program, are there additional education programs I can pursue?

Yes, students who have a completed teaching qualification can look to build upon their education by completing a Master of Education program. Several different streams are available, should you wish to focus on a particular major. Credit is available, pending on your prior academic courses.

You may also complete this course online.

For more information about your options, please contact OzTREKK at study@oztrekk.com.

What if my transcripts / documents are not in English?

If your documents are not in English, you must provide full translation of each document, either prepared by your university or by a registered translator. You must not translate the documents yourself.

Please note OzTREKK must receive the official translation directly from the university or translator in order to certify the document. Please read How Do I Send My Transcripts for more information.

If I want to teach secondary school, how many courses do I need for the teaching areas?

If looking to complete a Master of Teaching at a secondary level, you’ll need to ensure you have the appropriate number of courses to be considered for two teaching areas. Students will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant study area to the teaching areas they are wishing to pursue.

You will generally need a minimum of 6 courses for your first teaching area, and 4 courses for your second. These will need to come from second year and above in most circumstances.

To ensure you have what you’ll need for the secondary teaching level, feel free to contact OzTREKK for more information!

Can I apply for credit for a teaching program?

To receive credit for a Master of Teaching program, you must have previously completed courses at a master’s level. If you have an undergraduate degree, those courses will not be approved for credit.

If you have a master’s degree, let us know and we’ll send you the steps to apply for credit.

Can I teach in Canada after I graduate?

Each Canadian province and territory has its own teacher certification board and specific requirements that must be met before you can become certified to teach in that region. This is true for all teacher education graduates, whether they have completed their degree in Canada or abroad.

If you have any specific questions about the teacher certification requirements in the province you plan to work in after completing an Australian teacher education degree, you should contact the appropriate regulatory body for more information. See the list of provincial teacher education regulatory bodies on the Canadian Teachers’ Federation website.

OzTREKK consults its university partners and works with them to make sure we only feature teacher education programs that work for Canadian students.