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.

After more than fifty years, thanks to the ongoing commitment and passion of its staff, CO.AS.IT. is recognised as one of the main reference points for the promotion and teaching of the Italian language and culture in the state of New South Wales and across Australia.

The Language Assistant Programme is an initiative created to foster the study of the Italian language and culture in the New South Wales.

The programme is open to students and recent graduates (within 12 months of graduation) who meet the following requirements:

• Italian citizenship
• Age not exceeding 30 years (this is required by the Australian department for immigration in the visa application process)
• Knowledge of English at least B2+ (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)
• Hold a
  • 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 applications with a certification attached.

Programme dates: 3 March - 4 December 2026
Application deadline: 3 November 2025

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 4:30 pm, plus any pre- and post-schedule meetings, for a total of 38 hours per week.

The working hours at CO.AS.IT. offices are from 9 am to 5 pm.
 

Compensation
Linguistic assistants are paid $A 1,520 gross per week.

Expenses
Linguistic assistants will be responsible for the cost of their flghts amd for food and accommodation expenses.

The number of places varies from year to year.

The linguistic assistant positions are offered to selected Italian graduates through an announcement by universities collaborating with CO.AS.IT.

The interviews will be conducted in English, and will be carried out by CO.AS.IT. representatives after the application deadline. The post-interview selection process will take about two weeks.

Join one of our info sessions:

register here
 

Submit your online applications:
choose from the available options, 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. 

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.