1) Make sure you get a map & tour of the school including the location of your classrooms.
2) Ask for your class timetable and class lists in advance.
3) Enquire about any individual needs for your students.
4) Make sure you get information about the code of conduct/consequences & procedures for discipline issues.
5) Ask about yard duty and location (this is often an expectation in contracts).
6) Complete contract paperwork including salary rate, taxes, and pay dates in advance.
7) Actively pursue teaching resources and other materials for each class.
8) Enquire about curriculum expectations & term goals.
9) Enquire about assessment and reporting practices for the school.
10) Organize your calendar with parent/teacher interviews, meetings, etc.
11) Read through school handbook.
12) Organize your office & work space.
13) Use your school mentor who is available for support & assistance.
14) Bring any creative resources/lessons from overseas to spark the students interest from day one!
15) Use the support & online resources provided by Leading Out and share ideas with fellow international teachers.
Good luck and have a great first day of teaching in Australia!
This is my 4th year in a row attending the Australian Open, and yesterday when I arrived (Jan 20th), I did notice significant differences from when I arrived for my first experience in 2007.
The only thing they seem to have kept for fans, is the price – $20/night ticket, $29 for general admission day ticket. But is the value still as good?
What has changed:
- Hisense is now a fully ticketed event (general admission ticket users used to be able to watch in the standing room only area).
- Australian Open Tennis clothing – items are no longer dated with the year, are very generic, and very little variety in what is available.
- Australian Open Tennis clothing – old clothing from previous years used to be sold during the first week for low prices (they have stopped doing this!)
- The line ups! Yes it is great that more people are going to watch the tennis, but the line ups are out of control on the outer courts. Even some of the organizers who were in charge of letting people into the courts, didn’t even know when to let them in.
- Corporate seats on Rod Laver Arena! During the quarter finals today (Jan 27th, 2010) there were so many empty seats. Isn’t it time in main events that these seats are put up for sale just before the match when people don’t bother showing up!
Second tournament of the year and into the 
Round of 16 at the Australian Open! Justine Henin has been tested by Dementiava (5th seed) on Rod Laver Arena and then gritted her teeth to beat Kleybanova (27th seed) on Hisense Arena.
Looking forward to a great match against Wickmayer in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open 2010.
Can she win like Kim Clisters did at the US Open 2009 during her comeback!
It’s that time of year where Melbourne, Australia comes alive with day and night action with the Australian Tennis Open.
If your first thought is, oh I don’t like watching tennis, think again! It is an event not to be missed, not only because of the great tennis you can watch but also just for the festivities that surround the event.
For only $29 you can get yourself a general admission ticket that will allow you to stay all day and if youd don’t leave at 5pm, you can stay all night!It is a fantastic deal! And if that doesn’t impress, how about a night ticket for only $20. You won’t get a better deal than this to see as much tennis on every court but the centre court (but you can even watch those matches on the big screen tv just outside the court!).
So don’t miss out on the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. Come watch Federer try and get his 16th Grand Slam, or perhaps Nadal will come back from injury. Or how about Serena Williams, will she be crowned champion or will Henin come out of retirement to shock everyone like Kim Clijsters did in the US Tennis Open!
Not sure what else to do in Melbourne or other parts of Australia while visiting, well take a look here!
We have all heard about the hole in the ozone but do you even notice it when you are in Australia?
The answer is YES! It might take one day walking around in the sun, but that’s all that it will take! It isn’t like any other sun you have ever experienced so take precautions so you don’t get sunburnt in Australia.
1) Buy a good wide brimmed hat and wear it! You will notice most others are wearing them too and if you teach, it is a requirement to wear a hat during recess.
2) Cover up! Wear capris and a thin long sleeve so to not cause unnecessary skin damage in the sun.
3) Slop on the sunscreen – remember just because you use 30 doesn’t mean that it still doesn’t need reapplying (you will still sweat it off or swim it off!).
4) Wear 100% UV protected sunglasses. You can damage your eyes and it is not something to mess around with.
5) Don’t stay out in the sun in Australia too long. Enjoy the outdoors but put yourself under shade as often as possible.
Remember, skin cancer is common and if you ask around, you will find that a large percentage of Australians have had to remove moles, and skin spots on different parts of their body and they get their skin checked at least once a year!
Now if that doesn’t make you think twice before you throw on your bikini and walk out onto the beach in Australia, remember that the sun dries out your skin and will eventually age you more than if you cover up! Be smart about it!
I was listening to a choir singing carols in Melbourne last week and one of the songs that we were able to sing along to was Jingle Bells (Aussie Style) and after having a good laugh, I thought I would share it with you!
“Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It’s Summer Time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs
Chorus:
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,
Hey!
Jingle Bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine’s getting hot; we dodge the kangaroos
The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.
All the family’s there, sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.
(Chorus)
Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes roudn to go, we take the family smap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing UP.”
(Chorus)
With summer approaching, Tasmania is the place to visit. So much hype is always made about the East Coast, but you will find when you venture to Tasmania, the beaches, the people, the food, and the adventure are all there.
Where you should visit?
Take the Spirit of Tasmania and arrive in Devonport with your car and everything ready to go. Or take a flight (did you know that from Melbourne it only costs about $50 to fly!).
Lavender Farm - Scottsdale – the largest lavendar farm in the Southern Hemisphere. You can get soap, perfume, and even lavender flavour ice cream!
Bay of Fires - St.Helen’s, incredible beaches, red coast, fantastic camping and hiking
Freycinet National Park - Wineglass Bay, Hazard walk, wildlife, a definite highlight of Tasmania. Don’t forget to go by Swansea and stop in Kate’s Berry Farm (best homemade ice cream!)
Port Arthur - the history of Australia, penal settlement, excellent historic site with boat tour, walking tour and self-guided tour.
Hobart - Flying into Hobart and then heading North is a great idea too! Once in Hobart, check out the Salmanaca Markets, have fish & chips by the water, explore the Botanical Gardens.
Huon Valley – if you are looking for somewhere quiet to explore with a bit of hiking, sipping some good wines, and eating fresh seafood, this is the place to go (only 45 minutes from Hobart).
Cradle Mountain – West of the island, it is definitely worth visiting. Many visit this area as a separate trip but if you have time, do the East coast and Cradle Mountain. The scenery is beautiful, and some of the best hiking in Australia.
If you have ever been to Canada (and now parts of the United States), you would have experienced Tim Hortons. If you live in Australia and ever do go to visit Canada, stop in to Tim Hortons (don’t worry you will find them on every corner).
Why do people love Tim Hortons so much?
1) It has quality food and drinks for cheap. I was just back in Canada for a visit now that I live in Australia and I ordered two muffins, a bagel with cream cheese, a coffee and a chocolate milk for under $5. Now that is a steal!
2) 
The coffee…now this is something that not everyone agrees on. Once you have sat down at a nice cafe in Melbourne, Australia or perhaps Italy sipping your cappiccino, it is hard to go back and really think Tim Hortons coffee is quality! However some people are die hard fans and won’t ever give it up!
3) The Donuts: Fresh, tasty, yummy! What else is there to say about them, other than, if you don’t want a whole one, then get a Timbit!
Our suggestion: Buy a can of Tim Hortons coffee and take it with you when you go and travel or live in Australia. Hmmm… you could try the donuts somewhere else in Australia but unless you go to Krispy Cream donuts, you won’t find anything quite like Tim Hortons!
Missing feminine products, Halloween, and deodorant while travelling and living in Australia?
Tags: Canadians in Australia, coffee, donuts, living in Australia, Tim Hortons, Tim Hortons; Canadians in Australia; timbits; donuts; coffee; living in Australia, timbits
Well so far we have talked about missing feminine products, Halloween, and deodorant while travelling and living in Australia.
Now what about food and the fun treats we have grown up with? You find many Canadian or American treats in Australia!
1) Marshmallows – yes they have marshmallows in Australia but have you ever tried one?! Crunchy, small, sugary little balls – they are awful! I miss the light fluffy marshmallows that taste good on their own, in Rice Krispies squares (or Rice Bubble squares if you are in Australia), or roasting in a nice campfire!
2) Licuorice – Yes again they have great black licuorice but where’s Twizzlers red licuorice. Not even at the movies can you find them!
3) Clamato Juice – Now this is a sore spot because it isn’t even something you can ask your family or friends to ship over to you (due to the sheer weight of it). They don’t even know what a Caesar is in Australia! With all this nice weather and no caesars – whats the point! Yes they will mix it up and say ‘Oh a bloody mary’ but have you ever done a taste test to see that they are two totally different drinks!
Now how about Tim Hortons? I think Tim Hortons needs it’s own discussion-coming soon!
Tags: caesars, clamato juice, living in Australia, marshmallows, teaching in Australia; Canadians in Australia;, twizzlers, working in Australia
I am happy to say that finally after many years of waiting, they now have a better variety of deodarant in Australia.
It used to be that the only deodorant/antiperspirant you could find in Australia was roll-on or spray. Now have you ever tried going from the nice dry stick, back to roll-on or spray. It sucks! You suddenly feel like you are back in the 1950’s with your arms in the air while you wait for the stuff to dry!
And then there’s the whole argument on what kind actually works. I can’t say I have ever found a roll-on or spray that has been as effective as stick.
But Australia is improving. They now have Lady’s Speedstick! Nope you won’t find Degree or Secret…just Lady’s Speedstick.
Our suggestion: bring some with you from home and have your friends/family send you a supply!
What about snacks; junk food; drinks…come back for more! Or did you miss our discussion on feminine products.
Tags: Australasia Travel, Degree antiperspirant, Deodorants, Lady Speedstick, Secret, Travelling to Australia, working in Australia
Yes it’s true! When you travel and or live in Australia, one of the main holidays you are going to miss is Halloween. I know I could hardly believe it myself in a country that loves to dress up for footy, the races, and other parties, but they don’t bother celebrating Halloween!
So why not celebrate Halloween? Well when Canadian or American teachers in Australia have asked people in Australia the most common answers are:
1) It is an Americanized event where it is an excuse for kids to get candy. Plus we don’t like to do what other countries are doing.
2) The message of Halloween is a bad one – witches; tricking; giving away candy.
What about the joy of dressing up; or meeting your neighbours and building a safe and fun community?
All I know is that, as an adult, I miss Halloween parties, getting dressed up, giving out candy and seeing the kids in their cute costumes.
Our suggestion: get dressed up anyway, have your own Halloween party while in Australia
Speaking of what I miss in Australia as a Canadian; how about candy and treats?! Stay tuned!
Tags: Australian costumes, Australian Halloween, Canadian teachers; celebrating; Trick or Treat; candy, costumes, Halloween, Halloween in Australia
One of the things most missed by Canadian women when moving to Australia, is good feminine products. They are just not the same.
1) All the names are different so you have to start by doing a bit of trial and error which can get expensive and tiresome when it continues to be disappointing! Any that seem familiar, are not what you think!
2) 
Pads/pantiliners – not only are they massive (even in slender or small size), they are still made the old school way. The nice quick dry weave that goes into the pad and away from the body is not used often here.
Tampons – applicators are about the same. If you want a tampon like OB’s then you will need to look at the “Cotton” brand.
3) Cost is similar for pads, pantiliners, and tampons.
4) We miss ’Always’ and ‘OB’s’ in Australia. Now they are good products. Lots of different sizes, thicknesses, dry weave, effective!
Our suggestions: Bring a whole stack with you when you come over so that you have time to transition over to a new kind. Or if you just can’t, then have people send you the good stuff!
With October coming to an end, what is on all people’s mind that are from Canada or USA when travelling to Australia-Halloween?! See our next article for more!
Now what about deodorent in Australia?! Oh dear, now that’s a topic that will definitely need to be discussed as well!
Tags: Always, Canada vs Australia, feminine products, maxi pads, pantiliners, Stayfree, tampons, travelling in Australia, working in Australia
T-shirts come in all sizes for men and women. Choices of Blue or Yellow for $25. If interested in buying, click here
It’s hour 28 and in 2 I should be home in Melbourne again after a 3 week visit
Sydney International Airport
to Denver and Toronto.
I’m so relieved that two friends are coming to pick us up. At this point, I’m not keen to talk to another stranger or pay anyone else.
I’m pausing at the Sydney Airport (where most international flights to Australia do) and it’s a quick 1 hour jaunt on to Melbourne.
Regarding Airports: I don’t love Sydney Airport (food’s average and there is a non-free bus you have to take between terminals) but one MAJOR BONUS: Free internet! I’m surfing away!
San Fran and Denver airports did not offer internet free–the only other airport I’ve been to that does offer free internet is Singapore. I’m pleased to see the Aussies have beaten the Americans to the quick– Optus has Free booths and someone is also providing unlocked wireless which I’ve tapped into.
Regarding airlines, I previously was quite happy with United Airlines — they have the cheapest airfare to North America every August. And plus, last time they served me pancakes, twice.
But this time, everyone was grouchy and hated their job, plus no one seemed to know anything about any of our questions, and we found 3 different answers to “how much weight” we’re allowed per ‘check-in’ bag.
The Official (and annoying) ruling: 50 pounds per bag. United says that’s “universal”. But the underlying point is: what do they know!
As I’ve previously posted, there are a number of Australian ‘meal’ terms that will be unfamiliar to North American visiters in Australia.
Bringing a ‘plate‘ is the Australian form of “potluck“, and coming to “tea” means a full meal (Unless it’s “Morning tea” which is the equivalent of “elevensies” in Hobbits’ terms.)
And further, “supper” is more of an hors d’oeuvres and drinks thing served late at circa 10 pm. (Read more about Australian slang here.)
etiquette for dining with Australians
etiquette for dining with Australians
Here are a few more things you should do to be polite when dining with an Australian:
If you go to their home:
1) Always bring some alcohol.
2) The first time you go to someone’s house, it’s a good idea to bring a gift.
3) AFter the first time, I always like to bring a gift too, but it usually ends up being wine/flowers. This is a nice gesture and appropriate.
4) Offer to help clean up, or just start cleaning up, if you feel comfortable.
It’s a good idea to have your friends over to dinner too — Aussies love to cook and share food.
If Australian dine at your home:
1) If they bring wine and say “this is a gift for you” then you don’t drink the
gifts of wine--should you store it or serve it?
wine that night; but if it is just brought, you can open it and serve it (some ppl bring a bottle they’d like to try with you). (There’s no real set rule abou tthis, but this is a helpful policy that doesn’t offend anyone, I think).
2) Clean your house so people feel like they have somewhere to sit.
3) People tend to like to be able to help you, so if they ask, don’t feel like you have to do all of the jobs yourself.
4) Prepare to serve some cold hors d’oeuvres and don’t be offended if they are 30 minutes late or so…this is ‘very Australian’. (Usually once you become close friends though, you can set some expectations about punctuality. For instance, with some friends, we are both always 15 minutes late. But with others, we are both more punctual.)
5) There are usually at least 3 courses and never forget to serve dessert!
If you go out to dinner:
1) Try not to be late. People eat out a lot in Melbourne — you might lose your reservation (and its always a good idea to make one)
2) It’s normal to ‘go dutch’ in Aystralia and split bills. Usually you leave a bit of a tip too when you are doing this, although tipping is not as expected in Australia as it is in Canada as serving wages are higher.
Is anything else you have noticed?
Tags: Australasia Travel, Australian dining, Australian eating etiquette, bringing gifts in Australia, eating out in Australia, meal terms in Australia, out to dinner in Australia, tipping in Australia
Australia: we have the top 4 most deadly venoms, the worst snakes and spiders, PLUS crocs and sharks — but what you really have to fear are the BIRDS!
IEEEEE! Sept 1st marked the onset of spring and I received a terrible reminder! Be careful which paths you take– UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you take a walk around/through/across a big-treed green park in spring!
What is with Australia’s birds?
Magpies'll swoop you everytime!
It’s like the birds here have never known real terrors like bears and coyotes-instead they attack the very audience who come to admire them most: humans! (I mean, “bird watching” has to be the epitomical human height of civilised activity, yet the birds “swoop” at us!)
Everyday, on my way to the train station during Sept-Nov I have to change my usual path to work. My friend was bleeding on the top of his head from an out struck magpie claw!
Feral 'Myna' Bird
Crazy bird! What do you think we want with your eggs?! I don’t want your eggs! I just want to go for a run in the park!
(I’m starting to want someone to squash all your eggs and shoot you with a BB gun because everytime I walk this path you and that horrible minor bird (“myna” bird in the Australian accent) swoop down and crack your wings at me.)
Pity you are so well protected. (Maybe you swoop at me because you sense my inner distrust.)
Well, ’screw you’, Bird and your close wing-cracking ways that flick the hair at the base of my neck and make me and fellow passerbys crouch with fear as we try to walk within 30 feet of your nest.
You can win this time, Bird! I know another street I can walk up.
Everyone else: consider yourself warned!
Tags: australian birds, birds of terror, feral birds, magpies, minor birds, myna birds, spring in Australia, swooping birds
As my student was delivering a speech on behalf of the council of Croatia debating on the resolution of the question of the United Nations’ intervention on terrorism and purporting that reprocussions do not stop terrorism, aid and education do– I felt tremendous pride to be working in a school that teachers him these values.
UNYA’s Thant Trophy is a mock UN debating event that is the most beneficial event, lesson, or class I have seen students participate in.
If you don’t have debating at your school you can attend it with political studies students, geography, philosophical or even English students before the VCE years – if they are IB students it is a tremendous fit.
In Year 8 my teacher ran Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Canadian history, English B, history mock trial Louis Riel, IB, Language B, Mock Debate, Model UN, Sonya Hartnett, Teaching Idea, THant Trophy, Thursday's Child
As a teacher, it helps to be ‘in the know’ about social ‘faux-pas’. Some things are said in Australian classrooms that are never used in Canadian classrooms, such as “rubber” and “nice as” (which sounds like “nice ass” in the Aussie accent!).
As a teacher, and a sportsperson, I’m also big on nicknames as terms of endearment. So here are a few ways Australians make nicknames:
1) Add an “O” to the end of a name that ends in “n”
Eg. Wayne –> “ Wayno”
Eg. 2. Jon –> “Jono”
2) Add an “azza” to the end of a name that has a strong ”r”:
Eg. 1. Gary –> “Gazza” (This is the well known name for Geelong’s Gary Ablett)
Eg. 2. Aaron –> “Azza”
3) Add an “ooey” to the end of a name ending in any other consonent”
Eg.1. Riewoldt –> “Rooey” (The well-known nickname of St. Kilda Saint’s –the favourites for the AFL premiership flag this year– Captain (and star forward) Nick. He’s a legend. He’s my favourite. He’s good with kids. He kicked 6 goals last week. They’ve just got to beat Collingwood on Sunday. Go Saints!
Anyway, I’m sure that’s the rule. But, I can’t think of a Second Example — can anyone else?
As you can see, most of these nicknames are built around footy. But I live in Melbourne, and that is our culture.
So, now you know what to you call your kids, without insulting them.
Tags: AFL, Aussie Rules, Australian Nicknames, Football, Footy, nicknames, St Kilda
There’s a book I’m reading that I can’t put down.
It has descriptions that make me re-trace my steps, tells of the extreme previous conditions of the landscapes I walk everyday, involves both imagination and historical fact–and on top of all this, it’s funny.
The only way I knew the name Bearbrass, was because of the cafe in Southbank. But it turns out, that this was the previous name of our current city: Melbourne.
If you know the CBD half as well as you think you do (and there’s a lot of people out there like me who take pride in their laneway knowledge) I recommend picking up Robyn Annear’s book, Bearbrass.
After many trips to the Yarra Valley wineries, I think I have a fantastic route from Melbourne where you can get a bit of everything.
- Leave Melbourne and head past Yarra Glen to De Bortoli. Here you taste cheeses with your wines. Try the garlic goat cheese, yum! Don’t forget to experience the Sparkling Shiraz (yes red champagne!)
- Then to Yering Station Winery. Not only does this have a beautiful setting but they have a few good reds to try.
- Time for lunch? Train Trak is a fantastic place for gourmet pizzas, gnocchi and many other italian dishes. While you wait for your food, head into the barn for wine tasting and don’t forget to ask where the moose came from?!
- Depending on how many more you can manage, there are quite a few on your way to Healesville but whatever you do, don’t forget Riverstone and Rochford on your way back to Melbourne. Riverstone is perched on a hill over looking the valley with a beautiful stone home and has a couple of great reds and an awesome Tokay.
- Lastly, Rochford where you can taste some local fudge after sipping a number of their wines. Rochford also hosts outdoor concerts in the spring and summer.
There are so many other wineries, but after numerous visit, they would have to be my top five
Tags: Yarra Valley
Getting to your first teaching job doesn’t have to be stressful–but if you don’t 
know where to look and how to find what you’re looking for, it really can be stressful.
Don’t make more work for yourself; when you move to Melbourne invest in two things:
- A Melways: this is a train, tram, street (even bike path!) guide to Melbourne. It has everything you need to comprehend and access the Public Transportation in Melbourne.
- The internet so you can access Metlink Melbourne (LINK). Metlink will calculate the best route from a station, tram stop or address. It gives you the exact transfers you need (and from which platforms), maps and ETA. I use it all the time to get to new places and it’s something you’ll soon come to rely on in your CRT work.
RE: The Internet if you are staying in Leading Out’s accommodation, this will already be set up for you, so you won’t have the 2-3 week delay to wait for Internet set-up.
Tags: Internet, Life in Melbourne, Met Cards, Metlink Melbourne, public transportation, teachin in Melbourne
“Foxtel” is the Australian form of Canada’s “cable”, and you’re certainly not going to see any ice hockey, baseball or basketball on “telly” unless you have it.
But whether or not you’re a sports addict, you might want to think of budgeting for a TV package because the TV in Australia is kind of crap.
I’m sorry, “Home and Away”? “Neighbours”? Up until about 8 months ago, Australian TV was actually screening “Y&R” type crap-drama during prime-time.
Who do you watch?
But then again, maybe you don’t spend your evening (after a hard-day’s work of teaching) in front of the TV at night letting your body go to mush.
Tags: Australian TV, cable in Australia, Foxtel, sports TV in Australia, telly
IMAX Melbourne
You can’t really call yourself a teacher in the 20th Century if you’re not a Harry Potter fan. Luckily we booked our tickets for the Half Blood Prince online a few days before the opening weekend9 pm IMAX showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
It was General Admission so we had to wait in-line for an hour to make sure
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in IMAX 3D
we got middle of the row towards the back — like every other person wants. Surprisingly, even 60 minutes before — we were already near the end of the line!
To be honest, I really only wanted to see it at IMAX Melbourne because they have the largest screen and it’s quite good feeling like you are sitting in the middle of each scene. I’d been to see Batman The Dark Night at IMAX. Since the Dark Night didn’t have any special effects, I figured neither would Harry Potter.
But the first 20 minutes we were sitting in our goggled glasses and diving down past explosions on our broomsticks!
It was incredible film–the best one yet of the series. The actors have really
matured in talent and the screen writing keeps you laughing and delighted.
Seriously, don’t go and see the Half Blood Prince anywhere but at IMAX in 3D — it is so worth it.
First of all, sorry for being M.I.A. the last 2 weeks. Rest assured, I didn’t go A.W.O.L.; instead, Teach’N'Traveller now has a new look! I think it’s more user-friendly? What do you reckon?
Here’s a Tool to Help You Never Miss Out Again:
If you worried about having missed a post over the last 2 weeks, here’s a tool that will make sure you never worry about missing a good post again: RSS.
rss feed icons
Most people don’t know what RSS Feed is…unlike the words behind other acronyms, it’s totally useless information (U.I.!) you don’t need to know what this stands for.
Instead I’ll tell you what it does: it brings blog posts to YOU instead of YOU going to blog websites to read each post.
In my recent poll about “why read blogs” most of us answered that we read them because we wanted to learn something new.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have those new things on hot topics (like living in Australia and teaching overseas!) come to you?
Introducing the TeachNTraveller RSS – it’s free, it needs one click and the TnT content comes to you, instead of you coming to me. *
Choose your Blog Content Viewer
You even select which source you want to view it in (eg. you can stream it into a Firefox bookmark)
Seriously, I only put it up here for your benefit. So go ahead, click!
* = I’d be interested to hear comments from any of you who are doing this, or have any trouble with it.
Tags: RSS, TeachNTraveller RSS Feed, TNT RSS, what does RSS do?
Teaching in Ontario (Canada) is brilliant for a number of reasons; the pension’s reputedly one of the best in the world, and the teacher salary benefits: massage, dental, optometry, even orthopedics! — are something to write home about.
But of course traveling the world is kind of amazing…and a developing–or feeding, for some!–your sense of adventure is exactly the reason you’re leaving home.
Australia does not offer employee benefits. It’s not really a big deal, since most people only come over here for the year–you can probably organize your dental and contact lenses before moving to Australia–and if you are moving permanently, you have to accept the need for ‘extras’ medical insurance cover. It’s just one of those ‘culture shock’ differences.
The Good news:
Your Australian employer will automatically contribute 9% of your salary to your superannuation fund. And another 9% of your salary will be deducted from your salary and invested into your super fund.
If you don’t plan on becoming a permanent resident, you can collect this money when you leave (as well as the tax you paid, by the way). Yahoo!
Tags: Australian teacher pension, Australian teaching, cultural differences, culture shock, superannuation
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