Italian Assistant Teacher

The Comitato Assistenza Italiani (CO.AS.IT.) was founded in Sydney in 1968 with the aim of coordinating, promoting, and developing a variety of services to support the Italian immigrant community in Australia, including initiatives in the social, legal, cultural, professional, recreational, and educational fields.

Through the continuing commitment of its staff, Co.As.It. has become a leading organisation for the promotion and teaching of Italian language and culture in New South Wales and across Australia. The Language Assistants Programme was established to promote the study of Italian language and culture in New South Wales.

The programme is open to graduates who completed a second-cycle degree no more than 12 months before applying and meet the following requirements:

• Italian citizenship;
• Residence in Italy;
• Italian as their first language;
• Age not exceeding 30 years (this is required by the Australian department for immigration in the visa application process). Visa approval is the responsibility of the Department, which may require the candidate to undergo a medical examination;
• Knowledge of English at least B2+ (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent);
• One of the following qualification combinations:.
  • Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or equivalent from the old system, obtained at Università Cattolica + Level I Master in “Teaching Italian L2” from Università Cattolica
    or
  • Hold a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or equivalent from the old system, obtained from another university + Level I Master in “Teaching Italian L2” from Università Cattolica
    or
  • Hold a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or equivalent from the old system, obtained at Università Cattolica + Certification for teaching Italian to foreigners L2 (Cedils, Dils-PG, Ditals).

NOTE: Priority will be given to candidates who already hold the relevant teaching qualification. Candidates who do not yet hold it may still apply if they undertake to obtain it before the programme begins. Obtaining the qualification is a condition for completing the assistantship.

Programme dates: 8 March 2027- 3 December 2027
Application deadline: 12 October 2026

Role of Language Assistants

Language assistants work both in schools in the New South Wales and in the CO.AS.IT. offices.

In schools, they assist the local Italian teacher but are not authorized to take autonomous control of an entire class. The aim of the programme is to provide local teachers with the support of an Italian graduate capable of bringing contemporary Italian language and culture into Australian schools.

The schools are located throughout the state of NSW, for example in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Lismore. It is therefore essential that language assistants are willing to work in regional centers as well as in Sydney. School assignments will be arranged by CO.AS.IT. and communicated to the assistants before they apply for their visa.

Language assistants are also involved in activities connected to the promotion of the Italian language and culture such as developing teaching materials, participating in Italian language certification exam sessions, contributing to curriculum planning, taking part in language award evenings, preparing cultural events, and joining full-immersion courses.

The first days in Melbourne are dedicated to orientation and integration.The employment relationship may be terminated by either party, for serious reasons, with fifteen days’ notice.
 

Time

Linguistic assistants are employed in schools or at CO.AS.IT. offices from Monday to Friday.

The working hours at schools are from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with possible additional meetings, for a total of 35 hours per week. Work at Co.As.It. premises generally takes place from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Compensation

Linguistic assistants are paid $A 1,295 gross per week.

Expenses

Language assistants are responsible for return travel, accommodation and living expenses, as well as the cost of applying for an Australian visa.

The number of places available varies each year. Selection interviews will be held in English by Co.As.It. representatives after the application deadline.

Submit your online applications:
upload the required documentation and pay the non-refundable application fee of €35

Apply now

Selected students must take out a "Student Safety Package", which includes insurance cover and an emergency app. The cost for this is €150. 

The insurance, provided in partnership with AXA, includes:
•    travel insurance;
•    health insurance;
•    third-party liability insurance;
•    workplace accident insurance.

Cover begins seven days before the programme starts and ends seven days after it finishes.
 

In addition to this, all students on Cattolica International mobility programmes are required to:

• register on the Farnesina website
• keep updated on the international situation via official channels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in particular refer to the Safe Travel site for information about any COVID provisions in force for entry into the country where the programme will be carried out.