TEACHER EXCHANGE PROGRAM General Exchange Information
Teacher exchange generally involves a reciprocal exchange of accommodation and teaching position.
As an exchange teacher you would still be paid by your home school/employing authority and would accrue all entitlements whilst on exchange.
Wages are paid to your account in Australia to allow transfers (rent, loans, mortgage, etc). If you have accounts with Queensland Teachers? Credit Union, they can assist with these transfer arrangements and transfer of funds to overseas accounts. The QTCU have worked on both State and Independent exchanges and are able to provide details on transfers, etc.
If you do not own your home and are renting, you must ensure that the lease remains in your name and continues until your return to Australia. You would continue to pay the rent for your current accommodation and the overseas teacher would pay their overseas accommodation. It is easy for them to set up an automatic transfer through their bank to their landlord for payment of rent.
You would also need to advise the landlord that you are involved in a teacher exchange program and provide full details of the exchange teacher for the landlord?s records, specifying the dates the exchange will take place, etc.
Swapping accommodation including household appliances, furniture, etc. is generally one of the conditions of teacher exchange. It is not feasible for you or your exchange partner to have to move to a new country and then purchase furniture, towels, sheets etc. in addition to finding and paying for new accommodation. (The cost of accommodation in the United Kingdom is much greater than local costs.)
Trust is very important in an exchange as you would be living in someone else?s home and using their belongings for twelve months, and vice versa.
Your application form must provide as much information as possible. A good rule is to remember to provide the type of information you would like to receive from an overseas applicant, ie photos of house, floor plan, school prospectus, department details, etc.
We cannot guarantee an exchange with a teacher in an independent school. Therefore you should be prepared to accept a placement in an overseas state or county school. Past exchange teachers have been placed in state/county school and thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the exchange experience.
The last page of the application requires your Principal?s signature to endorse your application. We also require a reference from your current Principal and any other recent references you wish to enclose.
If you are working in a Catholic School/College (CEO) you should be aware that the Director also needs to approve your application. The signature of your Diocesan Director is required on the application and also on the Statement of Institution Policy on Non-Catholic Teachers in Catholic Schools/Colleges. (Most CEO Diocese Directors will only accept a Catholic match.)
If you are employed by an Order Owned Catholic School/College, your Principal also needs to complete the Statement of Institution Policy on Non-Catholic Teachers in Catholic Schools/Colleges.
As the teacher exchange program is classed as professional development it is important for you to take advantage of being able to work in another country?s education system for twelve months. You should discuss a professional study project with your Principal and jointly decide on a study project that will benefit both you and your school.
Should you require further information or assistance with the completion of our exchange application please do not hesitate to contact Jenny Zugno at jennyz@qieu.asn.au
