Graduate reveals “insane” hidden fees to become a teacher

An Adelaide teacher has lifted the lid on how much it really costs to be an educator in Australia in 2023.

A South Australian graduate teacher has revealed the insane costs involved in being an educator in 2023.

Adelaide based graduate teacher Nicola Markovic shared her frustrations to TikTok earlier this week in an explosive clip that detailed the hidden costs involved in her profession.

The young woman explained that she had just submitted all of the paperwork needed to become a registered teacher in 2024 and broke down exactly how much that process had set her back.

“The application fee was $195, it was $25 for the criminal screening part of the application, and then you have to choose how many years you want to pay for your registration,” she said.

“Ideally I wanted to pay for just one year, because I’m still a poor uni student.

“One year costs $122, but that one year expires on the 31st of January. So it’s not calendar years, it’s not from the date you pay and then a year after that.

“It’s just the 31st of January every year. Even if you’re applying in November or December. So I had no choice but to pay for two years, which is $245.”

Nicola was shocked at how much it was going to cost her. Picture: TikTok / @nickimarkovic

She asked her followers to reveal the fees they had to pay in their careers. Picture: TikTok / @nickimarkovic

Nicola explained while she was paying for two years, it really only gave her one year.

All up, it was going to cost her $465 to be a registered teacher in South Australia for one year.

“I’m interested to know how this compares to other professions,” she added.

“If you want to share, just so I can feel better about being robbed in broad daylight.”

She said the fees took a toll on her savings account, but she does not regret it as teaching is her dream.

“As someone who has just come off the back of four years of uni student wages, nearly $500 is a lot of money to me,” she told Yahoo News Australia.

“It required a transfer out of my already dwindled savings account.

“It seems as though it is designed to make people who earn the least amount of money, pay the most amount of money, in order to start earning money”.

Registration fees for teachers in Australia vary state by state and can look different depending on whether you are a new teacher or renewing your registration.

Other young people starting out in their careers also shared the wild costs associated with their chosen professions.

Registration fees vary depending on which state a person is in. Picture: iStock

“463/yr for psychology (its down a bit from other yrs),” said one.

“Going from provisional to general registration, you also have to pay a $495 application fee.”

“Exercise physiologist $600+ per year” another shared.

“Speechies (speech pathologists) are $572 before all the other checks such as working with children and police checks,” commented one.

“$775 per year as a chartered accountant,” another commenter revealed.

An Australian doctor named Imogen recently shocked her followers on TikTok after revealing the extravagant amount it costs for anyone looking to become a surgeon.

“How much does it cost to become a surgeon in Australia?” she said on the clip.

“I’m Imogen, I’m a junior doctor, and I’m trying to become an orthopaedic surgeon.

“I thought I’d do a lovely little cost breakdown on the cheapest it would possibly be to become a surgeon in Australia.”

Student doctor Imogen revealed how much it would cost to become a surgeon. Picture: TikTok / @imi_imogen1

She added up the five year medical degree for $55,000, an entrance exam for $4,500, $10,500 for three compulsory courses, $57,500 in training fees, $20,000 to sit a fellowship exam and $10,000 to sit a primary exam.

All up, Imogen estimated it would be $157,500, which she explained does not include registration, insurance, masters degree, conferences, publication fees, moving fees or unpaid hours of studying.

Many were shocked at how much it cost to get into a profession that “literally is saving people’s lives” and others asked “why does it cost so much to become professionals in much needed professions?”.

Others pointed out that it was relative to the amount of money surgeons would get paid each year.

“Surgeons top the list of Australia’s highest-paid professionals with an average taxable income of around AUD$394,000,” one said.

“Doesn’t seem so bad. And you make that all back in 1 year” another commented.

Originally published as Graduate reveals “insane” hidden fees to become a teacher