Hays Education - October 2008

Hotspots

As always, demand for teachers in rural areas is strong, particularly in resource rich States such as Western Australia where the mining boom is pushing up the population. Senior high school design and technology teachers are a hotspot of demand, with few candidates graduating with these skills and many returning to industry where they can earn higher salaries. Secondary mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics teachers are similarly in demand.

There is a shortage of qualified early childhood teachers and the large demand for childcare means vacancies have become difficult to fill. International schools, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, are calling for teachers at all levels, while demand for Australian teachers continues in the UK.

The coming quarter

Candidate activity in the education sector is always irregular however there will soon be a slight increase in supply due to new graduates becoming available between October and December.

In the coming quarter permanent vacancies for the 2009 academic year will begin to draw more focus. Many vacancies exist in rural and country schools and extreme demand for qualified early childhood teachers will continue into the coming quarter and beyond.

Demand is high on an international level, particularly in China, and demand for Australian teachers in the UK will continue.

Executive positions

Executive candidates are in demand on a global scale, with international schools seeking competent people to manage the ever-growing international sector, especially in China. Demand also exists for executive candidates at independent schools in Australia.

Salaries

In Western Australia negotiations are currently underway to increase salaries by 20% over the next 3 years. For the rest of Australia, salaries are expected to increase along traditional lines, with some higher than award salaries being offered to in-demand early childhood staff.

Candidate trends

The key candidate trend has been relocation. Teachers are keen to relocate from states such as New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland where there is a surplus, to Western Australia and the Northern Territory as a result of relocation assistance and pay incentives. Many overseas trained teachers are also willing to make the relocation to Western Australia, however few schools are prepared to offer sponsorship meaning quality candidates are being overlooked.

Teachers from New Zealand are coming to Australia in larger numbers and, in return, large numbers of Australian teachers are moving to the UK and international schools around the world.