overview

This is a fast growing, large employing sector. It includes teaching across all levels of early childhood education & care, schools, as well as university lecturers and tutors. There are jobs across Australia. Most jobs need a diploma or a university degree, but there are lower skilled jobs like teacher's aide or outside hours care (OSHC) that can provide a pathway to becoming a teacher.

key facts

  • school

    • Four million students in school in 2021 representing 23,743 more students (0.6%) than 2020.
    • Just over 156,000 teachers in primary schools, and 147,000 teachers in secondary schools
    • Government schools held the greatest share of enrolments (65.1%), followed by Catholic schools (19.5%) and independent schools (15.4%)
    • Teachers are 29% male and 71% female. There is a higher proportion of male teachers in secondary schools (39%) than primary schools (18%)
    • 116,600 teachers’ aides and learning support officers employed across Australia

  • early childhood

    • The number of children aged 4 or 5 years old enrolled in a preschool program was 339,015, a 1.3% increase compared with 2020. This number is expected to rise for 2023.
    • 56,500 teachers employed

  • outside hours school care

    • More than 400,000 children regularly attend out of school hours care 
    • Out of school hours, care workers employs 8,600 workers

  • entry

    • To teach you generally need a bachelor degree in Education, majoring in early or primary education.

in-demand skills & qualifications for early childhood teacher

  • tasks and duties

    • Planning and structuring learning in both indoor and outdoor environments.
    • Providing a variety of experiences and activities to develop motor skills, cooperative social skills, confidence and understanding.
    • Promoting language development through storytelling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal discussions.
    • Observing students to evaluate progress and to detect signs of ill health, emotional disturbance and other disabilities.
    • Observing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors that may impede students' progress.
    • Attending parent interviews, and staff and committee meetings.

  • skills

    • Learning strategies - the best way to teach or learn something new.
    • Monitoring - progression and making changes or improvements.
    • Social perceptiveness - why people react the way they do.

  • qualifications

    • The most direct entry route is a bachelor degree in education majoring in early education.
    • If you already have a degree in a relevant teaching field you can complete a postgraduate qualification in early education or a diploma approved by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority.

in-demand skills & qualifications for primary school teacher

  • tasks and duties

    • Teaching literacy, numeracy, social science, creative expression and physical education skills.
    • Presenting prescribed curriculum using a range of teaching techniques and materials.
    • Developing interests, abilities and coordination by way of creative activities.
    • Guiding discussions and supervising work in class.
    • Preparing, administering and marking tests, projects and assignments.
    • Discuss individual progress and problems with students and parents.
    • Maintaining discipline in classrooms and other school areas.
    • Participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and workshops.
    • Liaising with parents, community and business groups.
    • Maintaining class and scholastic records.
    • Perform extra-curricular tasks such as assisting with sport, school concerts, excursions and special interest programs.

  • skills

    • Learning strategies - the best way to teach or learn something new.
    • Keep track of progress so you can make changes or improvements.
    • Critical thinking - the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
    • Social perceptiveness - why people react the way they do.

  • qualifications

    • The most direct entry route is a bachelor degree in education majoring in primary education.
    • If you already have a degree in a relevant field you can complete a postgraduate qualification in primary education to become a primary school teacher.

in-demand skills & qualifications for OSHC coordinator

  • qualifications

    • OSHC coordinators will need a Working With Children Check and a valid Suitability Notice. State and territory specific qualification requirements may apply.

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in-demand skills & qualifications for OHSC assistant

  • qualifications

    • There are no national qualification requirements for caring for children in OSHC services, though many staff are certified. State and territory-specific qualification requirements may apply.

in-demand skills & qualifications for early childhood (childcare) director

  • skills

    • Diploma or degree in Early Childhood Education or Children’s Services.
    • First Aid training.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
    • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.

  • qualifications

    • Directors generally have at least a Diploma in Early Childcare.
    • Many also have education degrees.
    • Certification may be needed depending on state regulations and/or the nature of the centre.

in-demand skills & qualifications for learning support officer and teachers’ aide

  • tasks and duties

    • Demonstrates, supervises and participates in activities. 
    • Prepares indoor and outdoor areas for learning and recreational activities.
    • Assists children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties. 
    • Assists children individually to learn social skills.
    • Assists with preparing teaching aids, and copying and collating written and printed material.
    • Distributes and collects lesson materials.

  • skills

    • Effective communication
    • Good organisational and planning skills

  • qualifications

    • You can work as a teachers' aide without formal qualifications. However, a Certificate in Education Support or School Age Education and Care may be useful.

in-demand skills & qualifications for early childhood educator (childcare worker)

  • tasks and duties

    • Assisting in the preparation of materials and equipment for children's education and recreational activities.
    • Managing children's behaviour and guiding children's social development.
    • Preparing and conducting activities for children.
    • Entertaining children by reading and playing games.
    • Supervising children in recreational activities.
    • Supervising the daily routine of children.
    • Supervising the hygiene of children.

  • training and qualifications