How To Become a Primary School Teacher in Australia

Have you been thinking about a career in K-6 education? Primary school teachers educate and inspire children in their formative years, helping them gain the confidence and foundational skills to navigate society and become the next generation of world leaders, scientists, artists, athletes, and deep thinkers. If this sounds like the job for you, read our blog — it quickly explains the four essential steps for getting a job as a primary school teacher in Australia.

Step 1: study at university

The first step towards your career as a primary school teacher is completing a four year bachelor’s degree that includes at least 45 days practical work (tertiary practicum) at an approved school.

Suitable degrees include:

• Bachelor of Education (Primary)
• Bachelor of Education (K-6 Teaching)
• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
• Bachelor of Special and Inclusive Education (Primary)

Other acceptable qualifications for primary school teachers include:

• Double degree. For example: Bachelor of Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Behavioural Science.
• Undergraduate degree + a postgraduate teaching qualification. For example: Bachelor of Music + Master of Teaching (Primary).

Step 2: take care of essentials

Next you’ll need to get some clearances and certifications. These will be required before you can undertake your tertiary practicum and include:

• Working With Children Check**
• National Police Check (NPC)

Some states and territories may also require you to have an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination. Check with the teacher’s registration board in your home state for details.

**Please note: the name of the working with children clearance varies from state to state. You’ll be given full details of these requirements during your university studies.

Step 3: get registered in your state/territory

Once you finish your university qualification and have your essential certs (e.g. Working With Children, National Police Check) you’ll need to register with the education authority in your state or territory.

Australian teaching authorities (by state/territory) include:

• NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
• ACT Teacher Quality Institute
• Victorian Institute of Teaching
• Tasmanian Teachers Registration Board
• Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
• Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA)
• Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory
• Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)

Step 4: apply for jobs

Now for the fun part — reading the job listings and finding your dream job. The teaching registrar in your state will provide you with the details of their latest job feed. In most cases you can receive email updates when new jobs become available.

Teaching jobs can be very competitive, especially for positions along the east coast and in the capital cities. You will likely begin your career working temporary positions and gradually padding out your resume.

Here’s a couple of quick tips for making your resume shine.

• Having at least 2-3 quality referees (with contact numbers that work) on your resume.
• Evidence of volunteer roles or community work where you’ve built relationships, developed great communication skills, and developed emotional intelligence.
• Additional qualifications in supporting areas like leadership, ICT, music, sports science, or creative arts.

FAQs about Primary School Teachers in Australia

Need some more information? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Australian primary school teachers.

How many holidays do teachers get every year?

Teachers in most Australian states/territories receive 12 weeks fully paid holidays each year.

Do teachers get any other perks?

Some states offer financial incentives for training and development, and if you apply for a job in a remote area, you may receive a one-off payment to cover relocation costs.

What are the prospects for primary school teachers in Australia?

According to the latest labour market insights, there are 165,100 primary school teachers working in Australia right now, with 65% working full-time. The number of primary school teachers are expected to grow steadily by 5.1% over the next 4-5 years.

What is the average primary school teacher salary?

In Australia, primary school teachers generally work around 45 hours per week and earn between $73,737 and $88,935 per annum + annual leave loading and superannuation. Some states may offer higher salaries than this and you can expect your income to increase as you gain experience and complete additional qualifications.