Teach in Western Australia from R1 million a year. Who qualifies in SA

Western Australia's public school system is accepting applications from South African teachers, with starting pay of AU$88,178 a year, about R1.03 million at today's exchange rate. South Africa is one of five countries whose citizens the state's Department of Education lists for its overseas recruitment, alongside the UK, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand (WA Department of Education).

The department runs more than 800 public schools across the state and says a range of visa options is available to eligible teachers from those countries (WA Department of Education). The push was picked up by SA media this week (Briefly News).

How much do teachers earn in Western Australia?

These are the department's published salaries as of December 2025, before Australian tax (WA teacher salaries). Rand figures use the rate of about R11.70 to the Australian dollar on 28 October 2026 (ExchangeRate-API) and will move with the currency.

• Level 2.1 (starting qualified teacher): AU$88,178, about R1.03 million
• Level 2.5: AU$110,925, about R1.30 million
• Level 2.9 (top of the standard scale): AU$127,737, about R1.49 million
• Senior teacher 1: AU$132,557, about R1.55 million
• Level 3.1 classroom teacher: AU$137,567, about R1.61 million
• Level 3.3 classroom teacher: AU$147,077, about R1.72 million

Teachers move up one level a year if they teach to a satisfactory standard, until they reach level 2.9. The department says it considers your experience and qualifications when setting your starting salary, so an experienced SA teacher may not start at the bottom (WA teacher salaries).

The package also includes 12 weeks of paid leave a year over school holidays, plus possible locality allowances for rural, regional and remote schools (WA Department of Education). Keep in mind that the cost of living in Australia is far higher than in South Africa, so the rand conversion overstates what the salary buys.

Which South African qualifications are accepted?

You need a completed initial teacher education qualification. At minimum that is either:

• a Bachelor of Education (or equivalent), or
• an undergraduate degree followed by a postgraduate teaching qualification, such as a university-awarded PGCE or a Professional Master of Education.

The UK's Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is not accepted on its own (WA Department of Education).

Some teachers with a three-year teaching qualification may still be eligible under "limited registration". The department asks anyone unsure to contact Teach in WA on (08) 9264 4127 or [email protected] (WA teacher registration).

Do you need to register before you can teach?

Yes. Every teacher in a WA school, including relief teachers and those moving from overseas, must be registered with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA), which decides whether you meet the requirements (WA teacher registration). You also need the correct visa and working rights for Australia (WA teacher registration).

How do you apply?

The department has an "Express your interest" form on its overseas teachers page, after which a member of its team contacts you. You can also call +61 8 9264 4297 from outside Australia or email [email protected] (WA Department of Education).

If you're not a citizen of one of the five listed countries but already have independent working rights in Australia, you can apply directly for advertised teaching jobs (WA Department of Education).

Apply only through the department's own website or official email address. Reported has not seen any official requirement to pay an agent to be considered.