Best Countries to Teach Abroad for Australians in 2025

What if we told you that some Australian teachers are earning double their home salary while living in countries where a pint costs less than a coffee back in Sydney? Teaching abroad has become the best-kept secret among Aussie educators looking for better pay and work-life balance.

We know the decision of moving to a different country isn’t taken lightly. After helping hundreds of Australian teachers successfully relocate overseas, we’ve seen the same worries pop up again and again. Will the move be worth it? Which countries actually value teachers? Can you build a life somewhere completely new?

Here’s what we’ll cover to help you make the right choice:

Top destinations that are actively recruiting Australian teachers right now
Real salary figures compared to what you’d spend on rent, food, and fun
Essential qualifications you need to stand out in the job market
Our step-by-step application process from documents to interview success

Grab a cuppa and let’s explore which destination could change your teaching career forever.

Global Teaching Hubs for Australians

Right now, there are classrooms around the world with empty desks and school principals desperately searching for qualified Australian teachers. For example, Asian and Middle Eastern countries offer packages that would make your current pay slip look like pocket money, and they are actively hiring teachers who speak with an Australian accent as you read this.

Our team has placed teachers in over 20 countries, and we’ve noticed some clear winners where Aussie educators succeed.

Let’s look at where your Australian teaching qualification opens the most doors:

Dynamic Asia: High Demand & Rich Culture

Asia is the top destination for teaching English abroad due to strong demand. You’ll find vibrant cultures and diverse English teaching jobs in this region, where ancient traditions meet modern cities in fascinating ways.

Here are a few of the top countries in this region:

South Korea: Picture yourself teaching eager students by day and exploring Seoul’s incredible food scene by night. You can have it all since South Korea offers awesome teaching jobs and a super lively culture that never sleeps. Many schools there actively seek dedicated ESL teachers because English serves as the gateway to better university programmes and career prospects for Korean students.
Japan: This country provides unique English teaching roles, but you may need a Bachelor’s degree as your entry requirement. Also, there are many teaching jobs available in the leading private language schools in Japan. The benefits include excellent work-life balance, public transport, and the chance to live in one of the world’s cleanest, safest countries.
Vietnam: Want to stretch your teaching salary? Vietnam might be your spot. The cost of living here is pretty reasonable, which means your paycheck can go a lot further than back home. Sure, you won’t be living like a millionaire, but you’ll be comfortable and probably save some money too.

Middle East: Lucrative Opportunities & Benefits

The Middle East is famous for offering great compensation for English teachers. In fact, you can easily make double what you’d earn back home. Lots of roles there include amazing benefits like housing allowances, flights home, and health insurance, so these jobs can be super competitive.

Go for these places if top financial benefits are your goal:

United Arab Emirates: Want to save more money in two years than you could in five back home? Then go to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE offers salaries between AUD $78,000 to $140,000 per year. As an International teacher, you can earn a highly competitive tax-free salary and end-of-service gratuity bonuses. Many teaching roles here even come with free housing in modern complexes with pools and gyms.
Qatar: Qatar’s international schools offer solid salaries between AUD $83,000 to $128,000 per year, combined with valuable benefits that make the package even more attractive. Our research indicates that top schools like Qatar International School and Doha College typically provide annual flights home, private healthcare, and end-of-contract bonuses.

Now that you know where the best opportunities are, let’s talk about what you’ll need to succeed in these roles. The requirements vary by country, but some basics apply everywhere.

Understanding ESL Teaching Essentials

Think of ESL teaching like being a language bridge builder. You need three main tools in your kit: solid English skills, understanding of different cultures, and knowing how to teach. These skills are essential because students can spot a teacher who’s winging it from a mile away.

As an ESL teacher, you’ll help students improve their English language skills by creating lessons that are both fun and practical. Through your work, you’ll support students to learn a foreign language that could ultimately open doors to their dream jobs or create opportunities to study overseas.

Here are the basic ESL teaching essentials that you’ll need:

Certification Requirements: TEFL

Have you wondered what makes some teachers succeed in the international job market? The answer might be a TEFL certificate.

Employers worldwide recognise TEFL certification as the standard qualification for teaching English abroad. That’s why many employers look for properly accredited qualifications in a candidate’s profile before making hiring decisions.

Also, from our experience, TEFL-certified teachers consistently receive higher salary offers and better school placements compared to uncertified candidates. So the investment you make in the TEFL course pays off quickly through better job opportunities.

Working Through the International Job Market

When you’re looking for teaching jobs abroad, you should follow some tried-and-tested strategies that deliver results. Here’s what works:

Online Job Platforms: Trusted online platforms are great for job hunting because they offer opportunities with proper contracts and support. These platforms often have established relationships with schools and can guide you through the application process.
Professional Networks: Some schools prefer word-of-mouth referrals over public advertisements. So you should chat with other ESL teachers through professional networks to access these types of unique job opportunities that never make it to job boards.

If you’re clear about the qualifications you’ll need for an abroad teaching job, let’s talk about the financial side of things. A clear idea of potential earnings and living costs will direct you further to choose the right destination for your teaching adventure.

Financial Outlook: Earnings and Expenses

For an abroad teacher, a balance between what you’re earning and what you’re spending is vital for a successful overseas experience. If you mess this up, you’ll spend your time worrying about rent instead of exploring ancient temples or trying weird local foods. The good news? With good planning, you can save money while living your dream.

Here’s what you need to know about the money side:

Average Teacher Salaries: How much you’ll earn as an English teacher depends on where you go. Middle Eastern countries are generous with salaries. But, if you fancy Latin America, like Mexico, you’ll get around $500-$1,000 monthly.
Non-Monetary Benefits: We recommend looking for opportunities that offer more than salary. Many international teaching jobs abroad include cool perks like free housing, too. Some packages might even cover flights, health insurance, and moving costs. So discuss these benefits thoroughly before joining any school.
Budgeting by Regional Living Costs: If you’re worried about lower salaries in places like Latin America or Southeast Asia, remember that the lower cost of living can balance it out perfectly. Things are way cheaper in these regions than back home. Even your rent might be a third of what you’d pay in Australia.

Pro Tip: Always consider daily expenses for a real budget picture. For example, a £3 meal in Vietnam goes much further than a £15 lunch in London, even though your salary might be lower.

Once you are done with sorting your finances, let’s see how you can match your lifestyle as an expat teacher and build real connections with people.

Adapting to Expat Life and Support

When you get used to a new culture, that’s when you start to truly enjoy living abroad. Cultural adaptation stops you from feeling like an outsider and helps you become part of the community. Plus, your everyday tasks get easier, and you can build meaningful relationships with the locals.

But it’s not always easy for an expat. There are homesickness, language barriers, and moments when everything feels completely foreign.

The good thing is that there are many ways you can adapt to your new environment. Here are some that work:

Cultural Adaptation

Different countries have different customs and rituals that define how people interact, work, and celebrate. They are the foundation of daily life and social connections in your new home. So, try to get used to the local way of doing things gradually.

For example, if you’re staying in China, try to experience Chinese culture up close through festivals, food markets, and traditional celebrations. Also, be open to new ways of doing things, as they let you connect with locals and understand your students better.

Building Your Expat Community

We recommend you connect with other teachers living overseas to build a strong support group that understands exactly what you’re going through. You’ll find many local clubs or groups where you can meet people with shared interests, from hiking groups to book clubs.

Good friends help make moving to a new place easier. Plus, they’ll show you the best local spots that guidebooks never mention.

Prioritising Mental Well-being

With all the hassle that comes with moving abroad, don’t forget to take care of your mental health. Many expat teachers find the move tough sometimes, especially during those first few months when everything feels overwhelming.

When you hit these rough patches, use online resources or expat groups for emotional support. If you’re feeling lonely or stressed, get help from counselling services or mental health apps like BetterHelp, designed for expats. Remember, asking for help is normal and shows you’re taking your well-being seriously.

Practical Steps for Application

If you feel confident now about your teaching job abroad, go ahead and start putting together your application materials. You can apply for jobs through various channels, like recruitment agencies, school websites, or international job boards.

However, you should be careful while applying. In our experience, messy applications with missing documents get tossed in the bin faster than yesterday’s leftovers.

Follow these steps to secure your perfect teaching job abroad:

Required Documents and Visa Process

We can understand that getting your paperwork feels like a boring chore. But you can’t deny that proper documentation is absolutely essential to land your dream job. You’ll need a valid passport and a Bachelor’s degree as your basic documents to even get started with most applications.

After that, most schools will help you get your teaching visa, and many offer visa assistance as part of their recruitment package. The smart move is to have all your school papers and certificates ready early because scrambling for documents at the last minute is a nightmare you want to avoid.

Identifying Quality International Schools

Once your documents are sorted, the next step is finding the right school for you. Start by looking for schools with good reviews and proper accreditation from recognised bodies.

You can look up jobs on LinkedIn or check out international school job boards that list credible opportunities. Also, focus on schools known for genuinely supporting their ESL teachers rather than treating them as just another expense.

Acing Your Interview

When you’ve found your ideal school, focus on the interview. Practice common interview questions for teaching jobs abroad until you can answer them naturally. During the interview, show off your teaching experience and genuine excitement for working with students from different backgrounds.

Last year, we helped Mark, who was nervous about his first international interview. After practising with our team, he landed his dream job in Thailand and now sends us photos of his beach weekend adventures. And you can be there too, living your own teaching adventure abroad with the right preparation and support.

Your Teaching Adventure Starts Today

The world needs passionate Australian teachers right now, and the opportunities are waiting for you. We’ve covered everything from tax-free salaries in the UAE to cultural adventures in Asia. Now you know exactly what qualifications you need, which countries pay the best, and how to land your dream position abroad.

We’ve helped hundreds of teachers just like you make this leap successfully with proper support every step of the way.

Ready to make your teaching dreams a reality? Faces of the Layoffs specialises in placing Australian teachers in the world’s best international schools and handles everything from visa applications to interview preparation.

The Best Countries for Australian Teachers to Work Abroad in 2025