Located only a few hours south of Perth the South West is a small and more densely populated region of WA, home to some of Australia’s best beaches, wineries and forests.
With kilometres of picturesque coastline, beautiful native forests, and relaxing scenic drives, the South West is the most visited region in Western Australia outside of Perth. The South West education region encompasses parts of the Great Southern including Albany, Denmark and surrounds.
Covering the south-west corner of the country, the region is known for its natural attractions, laid-back lifestyle and diverse business and employment opportunities. There are many places to sight-see, camp, hike, or taste the local produce. The South West region’s population is around 190,000 and fluctuates during harvest and holidays when many city-dwellers and seasonal workers from Perth and beyond head south.
The region offers 100 public schools which service 30,057 students from large state-of-the-art facilities to very small school settings with multi-aged classrooms. Teaching in the South West provides an opportunity to make a difference in the education and wellbeing of children living in the region, balanced with a regional lifestyle that is well supported by the close-knit communities.
Teaching positions in the South West are highly sought after due to the lifestyle, access to services and short distances to Perth and larger city centres. Not to mention the world-class beaches, stunning Karri forests, and the region producing some of the most premium local produce in Australia.
Teaching opportunities are more likely to occur in the Great Southern schools which, apart from Albany, are smaller and further from the regional centres. Staff in these schools include newer arrivals, supported by long-standing members who have established themselves in the community. The region has a range of roles available in agriculture education and related trades training programs located in specialised colleges and schools.
The Noongar people are the traditional custodians and original inhabitants of the lands of the South West, representing 14 language groups. Many schools in the South West have introduced Noongar language in recent years. These schools play a vital role in supporting community language revitalisation and building collaborative relationships between staff, Aboriginal students, their families, and communities.
The rural background is reflected in open, friendly and active students. Parents like to be involved in their children’s education and the close-knit community is very supportive of school events and have an active interest in the school’s performance.
Bunbury is Western Australia’s largest regional city and only a two-hour drive from Perth or an hour and a half to the famous surf town of Margaret River. Other major centres in the area are Albany and Busselton. The Australind train provides daily rail service between Perth and Bunbury, and flights from Perth to Albany are just over an hour.
Extensive shopping, service and medical facilities are available throughout the South West and to a lesser extent in the Great Southern. Many towns throughout the region have recreation centres, swimming pools and ovals to accommodate Australian Rules Football, hockey, soccer and cricket.
There is a diverse economy with manufacturing, mining, tourism, wine and viticulture, fishing and farming. Outside of Bunbury and throughout the Great Southern the population is sparse with broad-acre farming (large-scale operations) the main industry.
Housing is not provided within 35 kilometres of Bunbury, however, in other South West locations it is usually subsidised through the Government Regional Officers Housing (GROH) and you may be eligible for additional financial allowances.
The region has a Mediterranean climate with warm dry summer days with mild nights and cool wet winters. It is the cooler temperatures and ancient soil that produce delicious fresh food and award-winning premium wine grown from the region.
Tourists come from across the state, Australia and from around the world to experience the South West of Western Australia. This region offers a coastline with world renowned surf breaks, first-class wineries producing premium wine, stunning hikes and trails through dappled Karri forests and endless sheltered sandy bays ideal for swimming.
You will have access to a host of restaurants, cafes, boutique breweries and distilleries, farmer’s markets, art galleries and studios with locally sourced produce, arts and craft.
The region hosts major events including the Margaret River Pro, an international surfing competition, the Blackwood Marathon Relay and the Busselton Jetty Swim. Mountain biking and canoeing are popular activities along with food and film festivals, also attracting international visitors.
The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s great long-distance walk trails, stretching from the Perth hills to the south coast through pristine forest areas. The Cape-to-Cape walk is a mixture of beach, cliff top and forest walking over the 120 km between the Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses.
When you’re teaching in the South West region you’ll have it all on your doorstep to explore and experience, all while you develop your career and make an important positive impact on the students and communities in which you immerse yourself.
Covering the south-west corner of the country, the region is known for its natural attractions, laid-back lifestyle and diverse business and employment opportunities.
