Teaching abroad: Middle East vs Australia - Which journey fits you?
- SA-Recruitment
- Nov 6, 2025
- 6 min read
For South African teachers exploring teaching abroad Middle East vs Australia comparisons, both regions offer exciting professional opportunities, rewarding salaries, and very different lifestyles. Both regions offer exciting professional prospects, competitive salaries, and the chance to experience something completely new.
While they share similarities in the demand for qualified educators, they offer very different lifestyles, financial outlooks, and long-term career pathways. Understanding these differences is key to deciding which destination aligns with your goals, family circumstances, and ambitions for the future.
In this blog we explore both of these locations:
Teaching abroad Middle East vs Australia: How they differ
Teaching in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE (Abu Dhabi), Oman, and Bahrain, is often described as an adventure of growth and discovery. These destinations are modern, safe, and increasingly international, yet deeply rooted in rich cultural traditions. Contracts are typically two years long and renewable, allowing teachers to build experience while enjoying life abroad.
However, the Middle East is generally a short- to medium-term career option. There are no pathways to permanent residency or citizenship, and many positions are designed for single teachers or couples without dependants. Still, the combination of tax-free income, covered accommodation, and generous benefits makes it one of the most financially rewarding regions for teachers abroad.
In contrast, teaching in Australia offers a more permanent life change. The language, lifestyle, and climate feel familiar to South Africans, and there are clear visa pathways to permanent residency and citizenship. Teachers who move to Australia are usually seeking long-term career growth and family stability rather than a temporary international experience.
Teacher salaries and benefits: Middle East vs Australia
In the Middle East, most schools hire through sponsored contracts, which means the employer handles your work and residence visa. Packages are typically comprehensive and tax-free, often including paid accommodation or a housing allowance, annual return flights, and full medical insurance. Some schools add transport allowances, end-of-service bonuses, or relocation support. Salaries generally range between R45 000 and R60 000 per month, depending on qualifications and school type.
Because your biggest living costs are covered, saving money is far easier than at home. Many South African teachers use these postings to build financial security, pay off debt, or fund future moves.
Life in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Bahrain blends modern amenities with traditional culture. Dress codes, social norms, and local laws may differ from what you’re used to, but teachers who approach the experience with curiosity and respect often describe it as transformative.
In Australia, teachers earn comparable salaries (around R65 000 to R95 000 per month) but income is taxed, and you cover your own housing and day-to-day expenses. The higher cost of living, especially in cities, is balanced by long-term job security, a robust healthcare system, and a lifestyle that feels comfortably familiar. For teachers moving with partners or children, it’s a destination where the whole family can thrive.
Visa and paperwork requirements for teachers abroad
The difference in paperwork and visa requirements between the two regions is one of the biggest practical factors to consider.
In the Middle East, once you secure a teaching contract, your school provides a sponsored work visa. The employer handles the entire visa and residence process, making relocation relatively simple. Teachers must, however, ensure their degrees, teaching qualifications, and police clearances are properly authenticated and attested before departure; a step done at the teacher’s own expense in South Africa. After that, the school finalises everything, and the transition tends to be efficient.
In Australia, the process involves significantly more paperwork and financial outlay upfront. Teachers must have their qualifications evaluated by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), then register with the relevant state or territory education board. Additional steps can include English-language testing, skills assessments, and multiple background checks.
There are several visa options available, from employer-sponsored visas to skilled-migration and permanent-residency routes. Though the process is lengthier and costlier, it leads to long-term security, with clear pathways to settle permanently and eventually gain citizenship.
Living abroad: Lifestyle differences between the Middle East and Australia
Living and teaching in the Middle East can offer a fast-paced, international lifestyle. You’ll find modern cities, excellent infrastructure, and a strong expatriate community. Teachers often enjoy weekends spent travelling regionally, relaxing on beaches, or exploring cultural landmarks. While life can feel luxurious, it’s also temporary, most teachers spend between two and six years in the region before moving on.
Australia, by contrast, is about long-term balance and community. It’s one of the most family-friendly destinations for South African teachers, offering outstanding public services, well-respected schools, and a lifestyle that prioritises outdoor living and personal wellbeing. Many South Africans describe it as “home with a twist”...familiar, but with new adventures around every corner.
Building your teaching career overseas
Professionally, both destinations can take your teaching career to new heights. The Middle East offers exposure to international curricula such as the British, IB, and American systems, helping you gain experience in diverse, high-performing classrooms. This experience is invaluable, developing your adaptability and intercultural communication skills while enhancing your CV for future roles.
In Australia, career development is structured and supported through professional learning frameworks. Once qualified and registered, you can progress into leadership roles or curriculum specialisations, supported by a national emphasis on continuing professional development. With consistent teacher demand, Australia offers solid long-term career security for those who want to make education their life’s work.
Using the Middle East as a pathway to teaching in Australia
For many South African teachers, the Middle East serves as a stepping stone to teaching in Australia. The tax-free salaries, paid housing, and covered flights make it far easier to save for Australia’s relocation and visa costs, while the experience gained abroad strengthens your future applications.
Teaching in the Middle East builds valuable international experience that Australian schools actively look for. Employers in Australia value teachers who have adapted to diverse environments and delivered international curricula which is exactly what you’ll gain from a few years in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Bahrain, or KSA.
Financially and professionally, the Middle East can give you the foundation to make a confident, well-prepared transition into the Australian education system when you’re ready for a more permanent move.
How to decide where to teach abroad
Choosing between teaching in the Middle East and Australia ultimately depends on what stage you’re at in life and what you hope to gain.
If you’re seeking adventure, strong savings potential, and international exposure, the Middle East is a powerful choice. It’s ideal for teachers who want to immerse themselves in a new culture, boost their career experience, and return home financially ahead.
If you’re looking for long-term stability, family integration, and permanent residency opportunities, Australia is the natural destination. It offers a familiar environment, professional recognition, and the chance to build a lasting home abroad.
Many teachers choose both paths beginning in the Middle East to build experience and savings, and then transitioning to Australia once they’re ready for a long-term lifestyle move. Each path offers its own rewards, and both can open doors to a richer, more global career in education.
Start your teaching abroad journey with SA Recruitment
At SA Recruitment, we’ve been helping South African teachers take their careers overseas for more than 20 years. Whether you’re drawn to the energy and opportunity of the Middle East or the stability and lifestyle of Australia, our team can guide you every step of the way, from documentation and interview preparation to placement and ongoing support.
Visit our blog for more resources, or contact us to discuss your qualifications, preferences, and goals. Together, we’ll help you map out a teaching journey that fits both your ambitions and your future.
Great post — this really helps clarify the differences between teaching in the Middle East vs Australia. As someone considering teaching abroad, I’m also making sure I’m ready with language qualifications. I’m currently preparing for the IELTS practice test to meet potential visa or school requirements, and I’m also evaluating whether to take the TOEFL exam (for schools that prefer U.S.-based credentials). Depending on the destination and curriculum, one might matter more than the other — thanks for highlighting how important it is to plan all aspects, not just salary or lifestyle.