At the end of last year I left a permanent position in a high performing Victorian Government Primary School to relocate and teach in WA. This was to assist with the ‘desperate need for teachers’ and ‘give it a go’. Upon arrival none of my paperwork had even been processed. This was then followed by repeated visits to the WACOT/Education Department Offices in the city and continued appointments and being shifted from person to person.
A week before the term started I stood in the DET office and refused to leave until I could speak to someone to explain what was going on, I was then advised my application had been ‘lost’ and that no one had any idea I was looking for work.
It was only on this day I actually received my WACOT registration number. A very helpful gentleman proceeded to call internally and assist me in my desperate and understandably irritable state. He then called me the next day had to inform me he had found me a position, a temporary 3 month contract in remote WA. I then started on 1st year graduate wages even though I had proven through numerous documents and references to have four years teaching experience.
My husband also left full-time work to relocate to with me and had similar experiences in the WA workforce. A shortage of teachers in WA? I now understand why.
I have had previous Victorian colleagues ask me if it is worth relocating and I have advised them otherwise. Sorry WA, we will be booking our flight home shortly.
Michelle Briede, Hopetoun
From The West Australia