Italian Assistant Teachers

The Comitato Assistenza Italiani (CO.AS.IT.) was founded 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 Victoria and across Australia.

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

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 (the candidate must NOT have turned 31 at the time of the visa application)
• 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 the Unviersità Cattolica + Level I Master in “Teaching Italian L2” from Unviersità 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 Unviersità Cattolica
    or
  • Hold a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or equivalent from the old system, obtained at Unviersità Cattolica + Certification for teaching Italian to foreigners L2 (Cedils, Dils-PG, Ditals).
    NOTE:
    • Priority will be given to applications from candidates with certification.
    • Applications from candidates without certification will be considered ONLY if, at the time of application, the candidate declares their availability to obtain one of the required certifications before the start of the Programme. The candidate must commit to providing proof of certification before starting the visa application process.
• References: At the time of application, candidates must provide two written references: one personal and one professional. For the latter, a reference from a university professor is also acceptable.
• Interest in the programme: Candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest in teaching a foreign language and in working with students in a primary or secondary school. This requirement is essential, as it is part of the criteria needed for the visa application process.

Programme dates: 21 April 2026 – 11 December 2026
Application deadline: 3 November 2025

Role of Language Assistants
Language assistants work both in schools and, if required, in collaboration with the CO.AS.IT. Resource Centre.

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—government, Catholic, or private—are located throughout the state of Victoria, not only in the state capital, Melbourne. It is therefore essential that language assistants are willing to work in regional centers as well as in Melbourne.

School assignments will be arranged by CO.AS.IT. and communicated to the assistants before they apply for their visa.
 

Time
Linguistic assistants are employed in schools from Monday to Friday, or may work at the CO.AS.IT. Resource Centre. The working hours at schools are from 9 am to 4:30 pm, plus any pre- and post-schedule meetings, for a total of 38 hours per week.
 

Compensation
Linguistic assistants are paid $A 1,550 gross per week.
 

Employment Period
The employment period with CO.AS.IT. in Melbourne runs from late April to mid-December 2026, corresponding to the second, third, and fourth terms of the Victorian school year.

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.

Travel expenses
Linguistic assistants will be responsible for the cost of their flghts.

Food and Accommodation
Food and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the linguistic assistants.

Schools participating in this programme are committed to help the linguistic assistant integrate into the local community in terms of accommodation and transportation.

The schools are committed to providing accommodation for the assistants during the first 4 weeks of the programme.

Documents
Selected candidates must provide an International Police Check before starting the visa application process.

After submitting the certification attesting their competence in teaching Italian as a second language, the selected candidates will receive from CO.AS.IT. the link to request the Police Check. The related costs will be covered by CO.AS.IT.

Language assistants are required to obtain a special visa, available online, which allows them to work exclusively for CO.AS.IT. in Melbourne for the duration of the assistantship. The cost of the visa is the responsibility of the assistant.

3

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

The selection process will be managed by the CO.AS.IT. Association on the basis of the applications received.

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

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

1. register on the Farnesina website
2. keep up to date 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 provisions in force for entry into the country where the programme will be carried out.