Do you love what you do?
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Are you passionate about your work, and ready to share your skills and experience to teach others? As a TAFE lecturer you will play an important role in developing and growing Western Australia's skilled workforce, and helping people reach their career goals. You don’t need a teaching qualification to apply — we want people who are experienced in their field and would enjoy teaching people.
Do you have...
- at least five years of recent real world, industry experience in your field or trade?
- a certificate or higher level qualification for your field of expertise and any licences or registrations that are currently needed?
- current knowledge of and connection to your industry including a strong professional network?
- a desire and ability to help others learn, and to develop and boost their skills for employment and career progression?
If you answered YES! to these questions, you could be the person we're looking for! We have opportunities to join the TAFE WA team as a lecturer in a broad range of industries and teaching areas across all five TAFE colleges — in metropolitan Perth, and throughout regional WA. We are especially keen to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants, and from women in trades and STEM where they are traditionally under-represented. If you're ready to apply now, take a look at the job ad on the WA Government (jobswa) website and get your application started. Please note that applications must be made via the jobswa website, following the instructions provided in the job ad. |
If you would like to find out more about this great opportunity to join the TAFE WA team, follow the links below for further information.
About this opportunity
For over 120 years, TAFE has been the leader in vocational education and training in WA. From training apprentices and tradespeople through to healthcare workers, educators and business professionals — to name just a few. Our proud history of quality and leadership in training, and the expertise of our lecturers, is recognised both within Australia and internationally.
TAFE training is now more important than ever as WA recovers and rebuilds following the COVID-19 pandemic. And TAFE training has never been more in demand, with the State Government's $57 million investment into training delivering free courses and slashing course fees for qualifications in priority areas. And that's why we're inviting you to teach@TAFE!
With over 1,000 courses, TAFE offers something for everyone — secondary school students, jobseekers, apprentices and trainees, mature aged learners and career changers, and everyone in between. Training delivery is more flexible than ever; with training delivered in the classroom, workplaces and worksites, online, through community projects and in state of the art facilities including simulated workplaces.
As part of the TAFE team, you will not only be making a direct contribution to Western Australia's future growth and prosperity, but you'll also enjoy an exciting and rewarding career that offers many opportunities for your own personal and professional development.
What positions are available, and in which teaching areas?
Employment opportunities are available at all five TAFE colleges across metropolitan and regional WA. These include casual, fixed term contract and some permanent positions. Our regional TAFE colleges have a number of permanent positions available, and generous subsidies and allowances are available for eligible employees. Industry areas where we have a need for lecturers are listed below, and most are available at both metropolitan and regional locations.
For further information about these areas, please refer to the Information for applicants document provided with the job advertisement on the jobswa website.
We have priority need at both metropolitan and regional TAFEs for people who can teach in the following industry areas.
(please note: specific needs for each college will vary; not all specialisations listed are required at every TAFE)
- Automotive: Electrical, heavy diesel (agriculture plant), light vehicle, heavy vehicle
- Building and Construction: Building design, builders' registration, civil construction, rail infrastructure, various building trades
- Community Services: Aboriginal cultural competence/awareness, aged care, alcohol and drugs, disability, mental health, youth work
- Health: Dental assisting, enrolled nursing, health sciences, health services assistant, occupational therapy, pathology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, sterilisation, veterinary nursing/animal studies, and other allied health (eg dietician, podiatry)
- Metals, Mining and Engineering: CNC and fluid power, light and heavy fabrication, mechanical engineering, mechanical fitter, metal fabrication, mobile plant mechanic, surveying, WorkSafe accredited high risk tickets
We also have opportunities at one or more TAFE colleges in the following industry areas.
- Business: Including big data management, business/legal/medical administration, finance — accounting and payroll, human resources, leadership and management, occupational safety and health, strata management
- Electrical and Electrotechnology: Automation/robotic control systems, electrical engineering, electronics, instrumentation
- General Adult Education: Access and equity, training and assessment (TAE) delivery
- Horticulture, Agriculture, Rural Operations
- Hospitality and Commercial Cookery
- Information Technology: Including cyber security, networking, software, web development
- Maritime Operations
- Science and the Environment: Conservation and land management, environmental field officers, forestry, laboratory and science technicians, landscape, pest control, water technician operators
- Sport and Fitness
- Transport and Logistics: Including pilot, rail signalling, traffic management, and vehicle operation
- Tourism and Events
Do I need a teaching qualification?
You don’t need a teaching qualification to apply — we are looking for people who are experienced in their field, and would enjoy teaching people. We are also seeking a diverse workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our student population.
While the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification will be highly regarded, we may support you to attain it if you gain employment with us.
What specific requirements do I need to meet?
To be considered for the TAFE lecturer role, you’ll need to have:
- at least five years of recent real world, industry experience in the field you want to teach;
- a certificate or higher level qualification for your field of expertise and any licences or registrations that are currently needed for that field — in order to teach a certificate level or diploma course, you’ll need (as a minimum) to have that level qualification yourself;
- current knowledge of and connection to your field including a strong network within your industry — you'll know how your industry is evolving, and you regularly update your skills and knowledge to keep pace with important changes and the latest developments; and
- a desire and ability to help others learn, develop and boost their skills for employment and career progression.
It is also a condition of employment that you have a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and Working With Children Clearance (WWCC).
What's the salary and working conditions?
The salary for a full time TAFE lecturer ranges from $75,204 to $101,211 per annum, depending on qualification/s and experience, as per the Western Australian TAFE Lecturers’ General Agreement 2019 (LGA). Casual lecturers are employed by the hour at between $52.25—$93.31 per hour, as per the LGA.
Full time employment is 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This is made up of 21 hours' teaching (including student mentoring), and the remaining time is for professional development and/or activities related to training delivery.
Generous paid leave is available, including eight weeks' annual and professional leave each year and five days’ cultural and ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Further benefits, subsidies and allowances are also offered to eligible employees working in some regional or remote areas.
What's it like to work at TAFE?
Working at TAFE is exciting, challenging and rewarding. No two days are ever the same! You'll be working with people from different backgrounds — both personally and professionally — and you'll enjoy learning and growing with your colleagues. At TAFE, you will be playing a key role in WA’s social and economic recovery, helping people to boost their skills to gain employment or progress their career.
Yes some students and situations can be challenging, and sometimes things can get busy, but you'll be able to rely on the support of your team. You'll be encouraged to think innovatively, try new things, and pursue excellence in all aspects of your work.
You'll work with a comfortable level of autonomy, but with clear leadership from your managers, and enjoy opportunities to work collaboratively with industry and business as well as your local community.
What we offer
- A healthy work—life balance and flexible work options
- Access to a free Employee Assistance Program for employees and family members
- Paid training and leave each year to support your ongoing professional development
- Metropolitan locations conveniently located in vibrant areas of the community, close to industry partners, including the Perth Cultural Precinct, Joondalup Learning Precinct, Fremantle, Naval Base, Midland and Murdoch
- Regional locations in some of the most beautiful and exciting parts of our state, offering a sense of community that comes with living and working in regional and remote areas

Declan Hearne, Plastering Lecturer at North Metropolitan TAFE "I’ve always enjoyed my trade but now I get to pass my skills and knowledge on to future tradies. I know exactly what attributes students need to get a job, so that’s what I teach. All of the lecturers come from different trades – bricklaying, carpentry, tiling – so I get to work together with other trades, just as I would on a real building site. We are highly supported at TAFE to provide students with the very best training to get them employed." |

Carol Baird, Social Housing and Business Lecturer at North Regional TAFE "I love my job because I see satisfaction when my students are enjoying their learning and having fun at the same time. The laughs are due to being an indigenous lecturer and being able to relate to the students' humour. Its an awesome feeling passing my skills and knowledge on to many students from various backgrounds. It’s a must to know your job as a lecturer, so that planning will always reflect the various cohort of students you deliver to. I am proud to be an Indigenous lecturer at NRTAFE. Many of my students have built their confidence over time by attending TAFE. Those in the workplace have benefited through the type of lecturing that targets their specific training need for their job tasks." |
What's the day to day work like as a TAFE lecturer?
As a TAFE lecturer, you'll be working closely with students to help them achieve their learning goals — using your industry knowledge, experience and skills to teach them ‘the tricks of your trade’. You’ll be working to a training delivery plan, which sets out the topics you need to cover in each class or workshop. Unlike school or university, training at TAFE is more practical and hands-on than academic so you will not be "lecturing" as much as facilitating learning — good lecturers engage students so that they're active and motivated to learn. You will also be involved in developing and maintaining teaching and learning resources and training programs, including your own materials for use in workshops and classes. You may also be responsible for looking after the equipment and resources used for training delivery; for example the tools used in the trades workshops.
Depending on the timetable for your course/s, you will be delivering a combination of all-day training and/or shorter sessions — generally from around two or three hours each. You won't be delivering training all day every day though — your week will also include time for other tasks known as PA (professional activities related to your role; such as attending forums, being on a committee, or liaising with industry or the community in relation to training needs), and ARD (activities related to delivery; such as the planning and preparation of your workshops, marking of students' work, timetabling etc).
As a TAFE lecturer, you will be encouraged to undertake professional development activities; including networking within your college and the VET sector, participating in committees and reference groups, and formal training programs. You may also undertake a 'return to industry' program, which provides opportunities to refresh your skills and catch up with the latest technologies and work processes to ensure your training reflects contemporary industry practice.
For detailed information about the role of a TAFE lecturer, please take a look at the Job Description Form (JDF).
What is TAFE?
TAFE stands for "Technical and Further Education", which reflects its history of starting in 1900 as a predominantly trades-focused institution. Over the years, TAFE has grown its scope of training and now offers over 1,000 courses across over 20 main study areas covering a broad range of industry sectors. TAFEs work closely with industry, the community and employers to ensure that training is aligned with industry practice, and is more 'hands-on' and practical in nature, to ensure that students gain the occupation-specific skills and experience they need to be job ready.
WA TAFE colleges operate autonomously but are owned, operated and financed by the WA State Government. Funding for training delivery is managed by the Department of Training and Workforce Development, through Jobs and Skills WA. Some TAFEs also deliver specialist courses via fee-for-service training, which are delivered on a commercial basis. There are five TAFE colleges in WA, each with a number of campuses and/or specialist centres where training is delivered. Each TAFE covers a specific area or region of the State.
- Central Regional TAFE — Mid West, Gascoyne, Goldfields and Wheatbelt regions, with main campuses at Carnarvon, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Merredin, Moora and Northam;
- North Metropolitan TAFE — north and north east areas of metropolitan Perth, and Perth CBD, with main campuses at Balga, Clarkson, East Perth, Joondalup, Leederville, Midland, Mount Lawley, Nedlands and Perth;
- North Regional TAFE — the Kimberley and Pilbara regions; with main campuses at Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Hedland, Karratha, Kununurra, Newman, Roebourne, Tom Price and Wyndham;
- South Metropolitan TAFE — south and south east areas of metropolitan Perth, with main campuses at Armadale, Bentley, Carlisle, Fremantle, Jandakot, Kwinana, Mandurah, Munster, Murdoch, Naval Base, Rockingham and Thornlie; and
- South Regional TAFE — the south west and great southern region, with main campuses at Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Denmark, Esperance, Harvey, Katanning, Manjimup, Margaret River, Mount Barker, and Narrogin.
There's nothing quite like the feeling that you've really made a difference in someone's life, and as a TAFE lecturer you'll have the opportunity to do just that.
Take a look at the following videos to get an insight into each of the five WA TAFE colleges.
What is vocational education and training (VET)?
Designed to deliver skills and knowledge specific to an industry, workplace or occupation, vocational education and training (VET) covers a wide range of careers and industries including trade and office work, retail, hospitality and technology. VET qualifications are awarded on demonstration of required competency (via competency-based assessment).
VET also includes apprenticeships and traineeships, which combine on the job training with formal training at a TAFE college (or private training provider). Generally, apprenticeships take three or four years to complete and are for more trades-based occupations such as builders, plumbers, mechanics, electricians, carpenters, hairdressers, chefs etc. Traineeships are usually completed over one to two years, and generally cover non-trade areas such as accounting, business, finance and healthcare. There's also pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships, and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships available for secondary school students.
VET in Western Australia
In WA, a range of VET options and courses are available and subsidised under Jobs and Skills WA.
The WA State Government's $57 million investment into training to meet WA's workforce needs has seen two major initiatives launched recently. The new Skills Ready program, launched in July 2020, offers a range of free training including new short course skill sets that are now available to eligible students in WA.
There's also 73 priority qualifications with course fees slashed by up to 72%, through Lower fees, local skills. Initially launched in January 2020, the Lower fees, local skills program was expanded in July and has seen enrolments rise significantly.

Need assistance with your application? We can help!
Before you start your application, please fully read the job advertisement and information for applicants on the WA Government Jobs (jobswa) website, and follow the instructions provided to complete and submit your application. Should you have any questions about the TAFE lecturer positions, or the application process, please contact the Human Resources team at each TAFE college.
- Central Regional TAFE: 1800 672 700 or recruitment@crtafe.wa.edu.au
- North Metropolitan TAFE: 08 9202 4769 or 08 9202 4824 or email humanresources@nmtafe.wa.edu.au
- North Regional TAFE: 08 9159 6770 or email hr@nrtafe.wa.edu.au
- South Metropolitan TAFE: 08 9229 9163 or 08 9229 9162 or email humanresources@smtafe.wa.edu.au
- South Regional TAFE: 08 6371 3680 or hr.gs@srtafe.wa.edu.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
Assistance and support is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wishing to apply for these positions.
- If you currently live in metropolitan Perth please contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre for free advice, assistance and support
- If you currently live in regional WA please contact the Human Resources team at your local TAFE:
- Central Regional TAFE: 1800 672 700 or email recruitment@crtafe.wa.edu.au
- North Regional TAFE: 08 9159 6770 or email hr@nrtafe.wa.edu.au
- South Regional TAFE: 6371 3680 or email hr.gs@srtafe.wa.edu.au
Jobs and Skills Centres provide free advice, support and assistance to jobseekers and career changers. With 13 centres located in metropolitan Perth and regional WA, and outreach services also available in regional areas, your local JSC is the place to go if you would like assistance with updating your resume or CV, writing your job application, or preparing for a job interview.