Get paid to study

To be eligible for the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program, applicants must:

1. be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident
2. be willing to enrol and complete an accredited teaching degree with one of our partner universities, Charles Sturt University (CSU) or Western Sydney University (WSU)
3. be willing to complete the Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program requirements, including paid part-time work as an educational paraprofessional one day per week at a participating school
4. accept appointment as a permanent full-time secondary teacher upon successful completion of studies and work for a minimum of three (3) years in an agreed location.

Individuals who previously applied for the Teach for Australia program may be eligible for the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program. To confirm your eligibility, please contact the program team at localteacherpipeline@det.nsw.edu.au.

Yes, existing initial teacher education (ITE) students who meet the standard eligibility requirements of the program are welcome to apply and should include this information in their application. We recommend that applicants be within the first 50% of their teaching degree, however applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

ITE students who already have their conditional teaching accreditation from NESA are not eligible to apply for the program.

To be eligible for the Industry Experience Pathway and transition into secondary teaching, individuals must be industry professionals or teaching academics with significant subject expertise and experience. To be eligible, participants must:

• meet the program eligibility
• have a related and recognised undergraduate degree in a high-demand subject area
• be an industry professional with a minimum of three years relevant industry experience within the last ten years OR be a teaching academic with a minimum of three years relevant subject experience within the last ten years. A participant’s prior qualifications must meet the content requirements as outlined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

A participant’s prior qualifications must meet the content requirements as outlined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Applications for the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program are now closed. You can subscribe to the mailing list for updates about the program.

Participants of the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program will begin their studies from Semester 1, 2024.

The department will support a pilot cohort of up to 75 candidates to participate in the Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program from 2024. Should applicants not receive a place in the program, applicants may be eligible for another program or scholarship to assist in their transition to teaching. Please visit the Get Paid to Study webpage of the Education website for further information about other scholarship opportunities with the department.

The Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program is designed to support high school students, career changers, school administrative support staff (SASS) and community members, who are aspiring to become secondary teachers in NSW public schools.

The program provides participants with an opportunity to study teaching with Charles Sturt University (CSU) or Western Sydney University (WSU) within their local area. Participants who are interested in teaching in the four pilot locations of Dubbo and surrounds, Queanbeyan, Western and South-Western Sydney and the Murray region, are encouraged to apply.

The Local Teacher Pipeline Program offers subject specialisations based on local schools’ needs. Participants looking to specialise in high-demand subject areas, including mathematics, science, Technological and Applied Studies (TAS), inclusive education and English will be prioritised in the program.

Participants can choose which subject area specialisations they would like to pursue. The department will work with successful candidates, their schools and the university partner on their subject specialisation.

Participants will receive the following incentives and benefits:

1. A training allowance of up to $30,000 to contribute towards the costs of study.
   • Undergraduate Pathway: $7,500 per year for up to four (4) years.*
   • Postgraduate and Industry Experience Pathways: $15,000 per year for up to two years.*
2. Industry Experience Pathway participants will receive an additional $30,000 completion bonus upon completion of their degree and successful placement into a permanent position in a NSW public school.
3. Employment whilst studying:
   • Part-time employment (one day per week) as an educational paraprofessional in a participating NSW public school whilst studying.
   • In final year of studies, participants may apply for interim approval to teach and begin teaching on a casual or temporary basis.
4. A permanent teaching position upon successful completion of studies. Participants agree to teach for a minimum of three years in an agreed NSW public secondary school
5. Access to a range of supports and opportunities to connect with peers.

* Note: Annual training allowance is based on full-time studies and participation in the Local Teacher Pipeline Program. Allowance will be paid pro-rata for participants who study part-time

Payments made as part of the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Participants may have tax withheld from their equivalent upfront training support payment. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld depending on individual circumstances.

As this study allowance comes with a requirement for you to work, this payment is not tax exempt. For more information, please visit the ATO website for further information.

Participants are encouraged to seek financial advice for their own personal circumstances.

If a participant decides to leave the program before the three (3) year employment agreement period concludes, they will not be eligible for the annual training allowance or $30,000 completion bonus (Industry Experience Pathway participants only). Participants will be required to repay the amount of allowances or bonuses paid to them by the department from the start of the program.

Successful applicants are required to sign a Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program Deed with the department committing them to:

• accepting appointment as an educational paraprofessional (on a part-time basis) in a NSW public school during their initial teacher education studies
• satisfying the department’s recruitment procedures and requirements. During the final year of study, participants are required to apply for conditional accreditation with NESA and then submit an online application for approval to teach, which will include a behavioural interview
• accepting appointment as a permanent full-time teacher in a NSW public school in an agreed location on completion of their studies and remain employed in a permanent position for a minimum of three (3) years.

Applications for the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program are now closed. You can subscribe to the mailing list for updates about the program.

The application process includes the following steps:

1. Attach a current resume.
2. Provide a written response to the two targeted questions.
3. Select a pathway preference.
4. Nominate three principal networks* in which applicants would accept a permanent teaching position upon completion of the program.
5. Nominate up to three eligible subject specialisation areas.
6. Provide all requested documentation, including official academic transcripts of prior study (if any) and statement of service (Industry Experience applicants only).
7. Submit the application.

Once applicants have submitted their application, the program team will conduct a preliminary eligibility check. If applicants are eligible for the program, they will receive notification to complete a pre-recorded digital interview where they will answer three questions. Applicants will also receive a notification to complete a reference check via Xref which is an automated online referencing platform. Applicants will be required to nominate two referees.

* The principal networks participants can select and agree to be appointed to a school within include:

Albury, Auburn, Bankstown, Bungarribee, Cambridge Park, Camden, Campbelltown, Chipping Norton, Chullora, Cowpasture, Deniliquin, Eastern Creek, Eden-Monaro, Fairfield, Girraween, Glenfield, Goulburn, Griffith, Gundagai, Hawkesbury, Hume, Liverpool, Macarthur, Mitchell, Mount Druitt, Mudgee, Narrandera, Parramatta, Penrith, Quakers Hill, Queanbeyan, St Andrews, Temora, Wambuul-Macquarie, Western Plains, Windsor, Wollondilly, Yass.

For applicants who have relevant industry experience, one of the following is required to accompany their application:

• statement of service for employment verification
• letter from accountant outlining self-employment verification

OR

• In the case that an applicant is unable to provide either of the above, they may submit a statutory declaration outlining relevant industry experience within the specified timeframes

Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply for the Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program. The Aboriginal Programs team can provide further information and support to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and we encourage applicants to get in touch with the team by phone on 1300 32 32 32 (select 3 > 3 > 1) or by email via aboriginalemployment@det.nsw.edu.au.

Special leave is available for permanent and long-term temporary staff members who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and who are undertaking approved indigenous education studies which articulate into initial teacher education studies/approved initial teacher education programs at Western Sydney University. Special leave covers:

• compulsory residential attendance requirements
• practicum
• graduation ceremonies
• time for related essential travel during usual working hours.

More information is available in the SASS staff handbook.

The department has partnered with Charles Sturt University and Western Sydney University to deliver the Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program. A summary of the details from each university is below, but applicants are encouraged to contact the university directly for additional information.

Charles Sturt University

Programs on offer:

• Undergraduate Pathway: Bachelor of Educational Studies, followed by the Master of Teaching (Secondary), an accredited postgraduate teaching qualification.
• Postgraduate Pathway/Industry Experience Pathway: Master of Teaching (Secondary) for applicants with an eligible undergraduate degree.

Program start dates: Semester 1, 2024

Subject specialisations: science, mathematics, English, HSIE, creative arts, PD/H/PE, First Nations studies, inclusive education and Technology and Applied Studies (TAS).

Course length:

• Undergraduate Pathway: Full-time: eight subjects per year studied over two or three semesters = four (4) years of study OR part-time: eight subjects per year studied over two or three semesters = eight (8) years of study.
• Postgraduate Pathway/Industry Experience Pathway: Full-time: eight subjects per year = two years of study OR part-time: four subjects per year = four years of study.

Delivery mode:

• Undergraduate Pathway: Flexible delivery with online and on-campus study available. Campus locations include Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga.
• Postgraduate Pathway/Industry Experience Pathway: Online delivery available only.

Eligibility: CSU offer several entry pathways for participants. Please refer to the CSU website to find out more about the eligibility criteria for the different programs on offer.

Contact details: 1800 275 278 or email growyourown@csu.edu.au.

Western Sydney University

Programs on offer:

• Undergraduate Pathway: The College, Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Secondary), Bachelor of Business (Pathway to Teaching Secondary), Bachelor of Graphic Design (Pathway to Teaching Secondary), Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Pathway to Teaching Secondary) or Bachelor of Science (Secondary). Pathway to Teaching Secondary courses are three-year degrees specially designed to lead into a Master of Teaching (Secondary), an accredited postgraduate teaching qualification. Together, the two degrees provide direct access to a teaching career in four years and improved prospects for career advancement.
• Postgraduate/Industry Experience Pathway: Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Program start date: Semester 1, 2024.

Subject specialisations: science, mathematics, English, HSIE, creative arts, PD/H/PE, Indigenous Australian studies and inclusive education.

Course length:

• Undergraduate Pathway: Four (4) years full-time OR eight (8) years part-time.
• Postgraduate/Industry Experience Pathway: Two (2) years full-time or four (4) years part-time.

Delivery mode: Flexible delivery with online, hybrid and on-campus study available. This may vary depending on subject selection. Campus locations in Western and South-Western Sydney.

Eligibility: WSU offer several entry pathways for participants. Please refer to the WSU website to find out more about the eligibility criteria for the different programs on offer.

Contact details: 1300 897 669 or email growyourown@westernsydney.edu.au.

Yes, there is an option at both universities for participants to complete their studies online.

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University (CSU) offers students the opportunity to study online, full-time or part-time for both the Bachelor of Educational Studies and Master of Teaching (Secondary) degrees. If participants live near one of CSU’s many regional NSW campuses at Albury, Dubbo, or Wagga Wagga, they can access 24-hour learning commons and libraries, as well as CSU’s sporting and recreational facilities.

CSU has a wide range of short online courses and workshops to help increase participants’ skills in academic writing, referencing, assignment preparation and provide online tutors, academic skills advisors, online forums and librarians to support participants throughout their studies.

Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University (WSU) offers participants the opportunity to study online (full-time or part-time) for both Bachelor and Master degrees.

For those completing a Master of Teaching (Secondary) degree, participants can study select subjects on-campus at Penrith (Kingswood) or online.

If participants are completing foundational studies in preparation for transitioning into university degrees, these programs are available at a range of locations through ‘The College’ at Western Sydney University.

Course fees will vary depending on the educational pathway and university provider selected. For more information, applicants are encouraged to contact the universities directly - Charles Sturt University (1800 275 278 or growyourown@csu.edu.au) or Western Sydney University (1300 897 669 or growyourown@westernsydney.edu.au).

An annual training allowance will be paid directly to program participants (up to $30,000 for the program) to assist with the cost of study. Participants can choose how to use this payment.

As part of the program, participants will receive a Commonwealth Supported Place at a partner university, however, there will be additional course costs associated with completing studies. Support is also available to participants through HECS-HELP.

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University will provide dedicated, ongoing, wrap-around support for Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program participants enrolled in the Bachelor of Educational Studies and Master of Teaching (Secondary) programs, to provide multiple opportunities for success.

This will include:

• enrolment and transition support to help guide participants through the initial application and enrolment process and ensure a smooth and informed transition to university study
• a dedicated Student Support Officer who will act as a university mentor throughout the course
• a dedicated School Liaison Officer who will work with the participant, the participant’s school and partner schools to optimise their experiences and learning
• ongoing support to upskill students in academic writing, referencing, understanding assignments, time management, and using the online library. This includes one-on-one support with Academic Skills Advisors, as well as support through online forums and workshops
• wellbeing support will be provided through a range of student welfare, safety, and wellbeing support programs
• First Nations students will be supported with all aspects of their academic journey, including social, cultural, and personal support. Whilst services refer to First Nations students, CSU respectfully acknowledges that students identify in a range of ways, such as with one or more Nations or language groups, as Indigenous, as Aboriginal and/or as Torres Strait Islander
• disability support will be provided to ensure all students have equal access to learning. Students will work one-on-one with a liaison officer to create a Study Access Plan and support is provided for any condition (permanent or temporary) which may impact successful study
• a Grow Your Own Student Support Officer and the Charles Sturt Academic Progress team will work with students who may need additional support.

Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University will provide dedicated, ongoing, wrap-around support for participants to provide multiple opportunities for success. This will include:

• enrolment and transition support to help guide participants through the initial application and enrolment process and ensure a smooth and informed transition to university study
• a dedicated Student Support Officer who will act as a university mentor throughout the course
• a dedicated School Liaison Officer who will work with the participant, the participant’s school and partner schools to optimise their experiences and learning
• university advisors, alongside a mentor teacher, who will support participants during professional experience placements
• an Academic Preparation Module to assist participants to identify their current capacities in assessing their readiness for university study
• intensive transition support for the first six months, focusing on study techniques, academic literacy, university requirements, returning to study, and balancing study, work, and personal commitments
• access to all existing student support mechanisms, such as the Badanami Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Study Smart Librarians, Peer Assisted Student Support, Disability Services and Student Welfare services
• Communities of Practice and peer support networks will be set up across the entire Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline cohort, which will include webinars and online study sessions, to provide professional learning and help participants share experiences, goals and successes.

Educational paraprofessionals work under the guidance and supervision of teachers to provide support both inside and outside the classroom.

Educational paraprofessionals assist with teaching and learning, by working closely with teachers in the classroom to support student engagement and participation and improve student learning outcomes.

As an educational paraprofessional, participants will always have a supervising teacher with them who will be able to guide and support their practise.

Participants will begin work as a part-time educational paraprofessional at least one day per week in an agreed upon NSW public secondary school upon commencement of their teaching degree. Participants will stay in this role for the duration of the program whilst completing their studies. Participants will receive the details of their potential host school when they receive their offer into the program.

Participants will be employed under the Teaching Services Act 1980 as an educational paraprofessional. This means they will work under the same conditions and hours of work as a teacher, with paid leave during school holidays in accordance with their part-time status. They will also have access to sick leave, accrued pro rata.

Participants are required to work during university breaks in cases where those breaks fall outside of school holiday periods. To ensure that their work aligns with university studies, participants will be able to negotiate working days with the school supervisor.

Educational paraprofessionals are employed under the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2022. The annual salary of a full-time educational paraprofessional undertaking teacher education studies is $66,639 - $74,764 (from September 2023).

Program participants are paid as educational paraprofessionals pro-rata, commensurate with their part-time status. For further information, please visit the department's awards and determinations webpage.

The Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline Program is being piloted in four hub locations in New South Wales:

• Dubbo and surrounds
• Queanbeyan
• Western and South-Western Sydney
• Murray region

While personal preferences will be taken into consideration, it is expected that program participants are open to the opportunity to train and teach in a range of NSW public schools and contexts. As part of the application to the program, participants will be given the opportunity to select which hub location they wish to work in and be assigned a school within that area.

The Grow Your Own – Local Teacher Pipeline program is being piloted in four hub locations in New South Wales:

• Dubbo and surrounds
• Queanbeyan
• Western and South-Western Sydney
• Murray region

As part of the application, participants will be able to preference any NSW public school they already have an existing connection with from within the four hub areas. We encourage participants to stay and work within their local community, particularly in regional and rural areas.

If a participant has an existing connection to a school that is eligible for the program, this will be considered as part of the matching process.

A key outcome of the program is seeking to ensure participants are classroom ready before they begin teaching.

This program is an employment-based pathway and includes working at least one day per week as an educational professional in a NSW secondary school. Participants may request to work additional days, which can be agreed upon with their host school. If this program is not suitable, please visit the department's Get Paid to Study webpage for further information about other scholarship opportunities with the department.

Participants may work another job in addition to the program, but will need to consider and manage the balance of their study, work and personal commitments.

The Grow Your Own - Local Teacher Pipeline Program is being piloted in four hub locations in New South Wales: Dubbo and surrounds, Queanbeyan, Western and South-Western Sydney and the Murray region.

As part of the application process, participants will be asked to select the geographical locations/principal networks where they are prepared to accept a position within. Application preferences will be used to place participants when working part-time as an educational paraprofessional and as a permanent teacher upon completion of studies.

The areas participants can select and agree to be appointed to a school within include:

Albury, Auburn, Bankstown, Bungarribee, Cambridge Park, Camden, Campbelltown, Chipping Norton, Chullora, Cowpasture, Deniliquin, Eastern Creek, Eden-Monaro, Fairfield, Girraween, Glenfield, Goulburn, Griffith, Gundagai, Hawkesbury, Hume, Liverpool, Macarthur, Mitchell, Mount Druitt, Mudgee, Narrandera, Parramatta, Penrith, Quakers Hill, Queanbeyan, St Andrews, Wambuul-Macquarie, Temora, Western Plains, Windsor, Wollondilly, Yass.

Further information on the schools located in each geographic location/principal networks can be found online or through the visual map.

On successful completion of their initial teacher education studies, participants will be appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school in an agreed location. In some cases, participants may be assigned to a temporary teaching position before being appointed to a permanent role when a substantive vacancy arises.

Upon successful completion of the program and meeting accreditation and approval to teach requirements, participants will be offered permanent employment in a NSW public school. The position offered will be dependent on available permanent teaching positions that match the participant’s teaching specialisation and subject codes.

The department will prioritise placing participants in the school they worked at for the duration of the program. If there are no available permanent positions at the placement school, the department will look to place participants at another school in an agreed upon location.