what is a PE teacher?
As a physical education (PE) teacher, you instruct pupils and students on sports techniques, fitness and other active recreational activities. You impart knowledge on the basic skills and rules of team and individual sports to build interest and encourage healthy lifestyles. You also supervise students during physical fitness activities and help them improve their techniques. As a PE teacher, you align the syllabus with the recommended curriculum and use it to plan lessons. You grade students based on their attitude and performance and mark written tests and assignments. Aside from coaching physical activities, you also perform administrative tasks with other teachers in the school.
A significant responsibility for PE teachers is preparing the equipment for the training sessions since PE lessons require various sporting equipment. You use educational aides like posters and whiteboards when teaching nutritional values and healthy habits. If the school hosts or participates in inter-school or inter-state sports carnivals, you help organise the events and prepare teams for the competitions. You also plan training sessions and talks on health issues like drug use, sexuality and nutrition.
PE teacher jobsaverage salary of a PE teacher
The average remuneration package for a PE teacher is $90,000 per year. In entry-level positions, a PE teacher earns a salary of $80,000 annually. With extensive experience and additional skills, your earnings increase to $95,000 yearly. PE teachers may also enjoy benefits from employers, like annual leave days and sick leave.
how to increase the salary of a PE teacher
The remuneration package of PE teachers depends on various factors. While the essential requirement for PE teachers is a bachelor's degree, having additional qualifications improves your salary. For instance, you are likely to earn more if you have a postgraduate certificate. Your experience also dictates your earning potential. PE teachers with a background in sports or fitness may negotiate a higher salary due to the additional expertise they bring to the role.
Your employer also influences your remuneration potential. For instance, working for private schools pays more than working in public schools. Private schools usually have additional resources and may offer a range of sports, broadening your role's scope. Working in metro areas also has some perks, including better remuneration packages. Metro areas have a higher demand for PE teachers, increasing their earning potential.
Want to know what you will earn as a PE teacher? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of PE teachers
Some of the types of PE teachers include:
- aerobics instructors: as a PE teacher, you can train students on the best techniques and practices in aerobics. You help students attain the level of physical fitness required for high-intensity exercises and assess their performance.
- athletics coaches: as a PE teacher, you train athletes and prepare them for competitions. Your job is to guide them on how to play individually and in teams to improve their performance. You also teach the best strategies, techniques and rules of the sport.
- secondary school PE teachers: physical education classes are compulsory in the curriculum up to Year 10. That means secondary schools require PE teachers to cover the physical education syllabus to completion. Your job is to teach students sports, athletics and nutrition.
- kindergarten PE teachers: physical education lessons are introduced into the curriculum when children are in kindergarten. While you don't teach complex games to young children, you build their interest in physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
working as a PE teacher
Working as a PE teacher allows you to interact with students and help them develop an interest in exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Let's explore the role's specific duties, work hours and career prospects.
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duties and responsibilities
Some of the standard roles of a PE teacher include:
- planning physical activities: as a PE teacher, you plan lessons and activities incorporating exercise-based learning strategies and movement. You follow the recommended curriculum when developing teaching aids and instructional activities.
- tracking students: as a PE teacher, you observe students' performance to ensure they are making progress. Physical education aims to develop motor skills, structured movements and exercises. All students should exhibit some progress in these techniques.
- developing assessments: as a PE teacher, you plan for tests and examinations. You evaluate and grade students on performance in physical activities and health-related topics. You also prepare reports at various stages.
- collaborating with staff and community: as a PE teacher, you collaborate with other teachers and parents to improve the physical well-being of students. You meet with parents to discuss educational goals and ways to help students develop their physical activities and nutritional goals.
- engaging students in movement-based programmes: as a PE teacher, you work with students to develop learning and achievement in exercises and sports. For instance, you teach techniques and rules for playing various sports.
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work environment
As a PE teacher, you work indoors and outdoors, depending on the physical activities you teach. Sometimes, you work from the school gymnasium or outdoor recreation centres. You also attend classes when teaching about nutrition and healthy living. You spend time indoors working from the office to plan lessons and complete paperwork. The role involves some travelling when you are attending competitions with students.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include primary teachers, sports trainers and secondary school teachers. You might also be working close to personal trainers and educators, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, coordinators, head teachers, primary school teachers, special education teachers, social workers, and school counsellors.
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work schedule
The work hours of PE teachers are predictable and routine. You work during school days from Monday to Friday for six hours daily. You occasionally work evenings or weekends to attend special events in schools like carnivals and sports competitions. You also enjoy long holidays depending on the school curriculum. Most PE teachers work full-time schedules, but some work in part-time roles.
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job outlook
As a physical education teacher, you have various opportunities for career progression. For instance, some PE teachers become sports trainers or gymnastics instructors. The role has a promising career outlook, with a job growth rate of 9.1% in the next five years.
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advantages of finding a PE teacher job through randstad
Finding your PE teacher job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a PE teacher is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
Some of the requirements for becoming a PE teacher include:
- bachelor's degree: the basic qualification for joining the profession is a bachelor's degree in education with a health and physical education major. You may also join a relevant bachelor's degree course like human movement and health science or sports science. The entry requirements for degree courses include completing Year 12 and meeting the Universities Admission Index requirements. Some courses also have prerequisite subjects.
- postgraduate courses: if your degree course doesn't have a teaching component, you should complete a postgraduate course in education to teach in Australia. Your training includes teaching experience that helps you acquire a professional certification from the state education department. Work experience or a background in fitness or sports helps you secure entry-level jobs.
skills and competencies
As a PE teacher, the following personal attributes are vital for your role:
- knowledge of health sciences: your job is to promote healthy practices in students and teach them about nutrition. You require human anatomy and general health sciences knowledge to teach students effectively and create lesson plans for physical education classes.
- enthusiasm: you should be enthusiastic about exercise and physical activities to develop students' interest. Your enthusiasm encourages students to follow your example and become physically active. It also leads to greater class participation.
- observational skills: you grade students' performance in physical activities by observing their exercises and sports techniques. Good observational skills and attention to detail help you identify minor changes in students' skill levels and write accurate reports on their participation.
- physical fitness: PE teachers demonstrate exercises and sports techniques to students. Sometimes, you run or participate in basketball games when teaching students techniques. If you are physically fit, it sets a good example and avoids exhaustion.
- interpersonal skills: building a rapport with students encourages participation. Communicating with students helps them feel comfortable participating in games or athletics.
FAQs about working as a PE teacher
Here are the most asked questions about working as a PE teacher:
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what are the responsibilities of a PE teacher?
As a physical education teacher, you prepare lessons and teaching materials for students. You teach and coach physical activities and sports to students of different ages and abilities. You also provide guidance on nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Your job is to encourage pupils to participate in the activities and work with learning support assistants to assist pupils with special needs.
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how do I become a PE teacher in australia?
To become a PE teacher, you require a bachelor's degree in education (health and physical education). You can also pursue a relevant degree in nutrition or human movement. However, you require a postgraduate qualification in teaching and education if your first degree is not in education. Experience in coaching and participation in sports enhances your job prospects.
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how much do PE teachers make in australia?
Physical education teachers receive salaries based on their work experience and qualifications. The median remuneration package for PE teachers is $90,000 yearly, but your pay fluctuates depending on your expertise. New teachers with minimal experience earn $80,000 annually; possessing additional skills or qualifications improves your salary expectations to $95,000 per year. Your employer also influences your remuneration package.
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how long does becoming a PE teacher take in australia?
The qualification for becoming a physical education teacher in Australia is a bachelor's degree that takes four years. The degree should have a component of physical education, health and human movement. If you pursue a bachelor's degree in education, you won't require postgraduate training. However, with other degree courses, you need an extra year to complete postgraduate teacher training.
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what skills does a PE teacher need?
As a PE teacher, you require a strong ability to motivate and inspire students to participate in physical activities. Good athletic ability, physical fitness and knowledge of the human body help you provide practical guidance to students. Good communication skills help you excel in the role. It is essential to follow appropriate procedures, remain calm, and show empathy if an accident occurs during PE sessions.
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how do I apply for a PE teacher vacancy?
Applying for a PE teacher job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our teacher job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.