From cidermaker to educator: Balancing life, work, and study with financial support

For Damien Viney, a former cidermaker and health inspector, teaching was always a possibility. However, financial concerns made the career change seem out of reach.

“I have a young family, a mortgage and other financial responsibilities. Giving up all work for the three-month Summer Intensive Learning period was a big change, so having the support of TFA’s Access & Equity Fund was just one less thing to think about. It reduced the cognitive load and allowed me to focus on my family and committing to the TFA program.”

Teaching STEM subjects including Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science in Tasmania, he now uses his diverse career background to connect with students.

“I’ve noticed that when students ask, “Why are we learning this?” or “I can’t see the relevance,” I can draw on my experiences to show them how knowledge applies in unexpected ways. The journey into education was something I had contemplated for years. Thanks to TFA and the Access & Equity Fund, I was able to make it a reality.”

Breaking barriers to teaching

In Australia, a child’s postcode can determine their educational opportunities. Many students in regional, rural and remote areas face systemic disadvantages, worsened by a national teacher shortage.

Our Leadership Development Program (LDP) places high-calibre teachers into hard-to-staff areas, offering a paid pathway to a Master of Secondary Teaching. However, financial barriers remain a major hurdle. In 2023, 20% of candidates deferred because of financial concerns, particularly the unpaid three-month Summer Intensive learning period before they start teaching. With rising cost-of-living pressures, financial support is more crucial than ever.

Access & Equity Fund: unlocking opportunities

To ensure passionate, talented individuals can pursue teaching regardless of financial constraints, we launched the Access & Equity Fund in 2023. The fund provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance to eligible candidates, helping cover living expenses, relocation costs and other essential needs during the intensive training period. By reducing these financial burdens, the fund supports future teachers to focus on their studies and enter the classroom with confidence.

Impact and success

The Access & Equity Fund has increased our teacher placement, with recipients accepting roles at a rate 25% higher than the broader offeree pool in 2023. Financial deferrals dropped from 14% to 6% in 2024, ensuring more candidates could enter the classroom. Despite economic challenges, diversity remained strong, with 70% of the 2024 teacher group experiencing one or more factors of inequity and 33% having two or more.

We are breaking down barriers and ensuring that high-calibre teachers reach the students who need them the most. But we need your help to continue our important work.