Top tips for a shining application

Assessment for the Leadership Development Program is not competitive, but it is selective.

It is designed to look under the surface of your past life experiences to see what skills are waiting to be discovered and nurtured over the program.

The online application, TeachFit Test and Assessment Centre are all designed to give candidates insight into what life is like as a teacher in the LDP.

We take a lot of care to ensure our candidates can meet the benchmarks required to enter the program. Here’s how to put your best foot forward in your application and assessment.

One: Check your eligibility

To enrol in our tailored Master’s and obtain teacher registration, candidates must meet specific criteria based on their studies. Before you apply to the program, make sure you are eligible and that you meet the learning area eligibility criteria.

Getting your application in early will help if you’re interested in diversifying your learning areas or need to take on any additional study.

Two: Seek help

We are a learning community and value seeking feedback and asking for help.

Self-aware and resilient people know their limitations and look for learning opportunities from others.

Getting peers or mentors to read your application or practice your Assessment Centre activities will ensure continuous improvement and demonstrate help-seeking behaviours.

We are here to help you through the application process, and we provide a lot of different ways to connect. From application workshops to coffee drop-ins and Alumni Q&As, we are here to chat and help you on your path to success. Check out the events on our website to see what’s up next.

While you’re there, familiarise yourself with our website to understand what we do, why it’s important and the program structure. This will help you to determine your capacity to engage in the program – particularly the Summer Semester.  

Three: Remember why you are applying

Teach For Australia’s purpose is to ensure that education gives every child a greater choice for their future. Show us why this mission excites you and why it motivated you to apply.

Many of our candidates are drawn to this work because of their own educational experiences, or their knowledge of the challenges of education in Australia.

We want to understand how you will serve the students during the program, so spend some time reflecting on this before you begin your application.   

Four: Communicate with care

Clear and explicit communication is essential in this Master’s program.

Think hard about which examples from your professional, voluntary, or academic experiences to include when responding to the questions in the online application.

We value diverse skills and understand that your examples may not be related to education, so make sure to choose with care.

Demonstrate your writing skills: a well-proofread application, free from grammar and spelling mistakes, is crucial.

Use proper grammar, write in the first person, and organise your responses using paragraphs and a variety of sentence structures. AI tools are not permitted to be used in your application.

Use the word count as a gauge for the level of detail expected, demonstrating your commitment to a thorough and well-considered application.  

We recommend having someone else review your application for additional insights. 

Five: Plan intentionally and execute strategically 

Approach your application intentionally. Break it down into manageable tasks, allowing you to dedicate focused time to each section.

This will help you to reflect on your experiences, select examples and craft responses that align with the competencies sought by the program. 

Six: ‘Failure’ is not a dirty word

The assessment process for the LDP determines whether you are ready to be developed into an effective leader.

Part of this is identifying strengths and areas for growth, and valuing feedback.

During the assessment, you will be requested to discuss your failures and areas for personal development.

Be sincere and provide direct responses to the questions. When prompted to reflect on changes you would make or lessons you have learned, it is encouraged to offer tangible examples.

There is no correct or incorrect response, as long as you can provide supportive reasoning for your insight.  

Seven: Assessment Centre

If you progress through to our Assessment Centre, you’ll have seven days to prepare. Like the application, approach this with a deliberate strategy.

Read and understand what is being asked of you, allocate time for practice sessions with peers or mentors and refine your approach and performance.  

Remember we are here to help. Email apply@teachforaustralia.org to arrange to speak with one of the team.