Are you looking to become a teacher in Australia? Australia continues to offer opportunities for qualified teachers, although salaries and working conditions vary by state, territory, sector, school, and teaching area. Recent official data shows that Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in May 2026, and teacher salaries are generally higher than AUD 62,000 per year in many public school systems. For example, graduate teachers in NSW public schools start at AUD 90,177 per year.
Becoming a certified teacher in Australia can be overwhelming if you do not know what to expect.
That is why we have put together this step-by-step guide to help you understand everything you need to know, from deciding which degree to pursue to finding the relevant registration body for your state or territory.
How to Become a Teacher in Australia
While the steps to becoming a teacher in Australia vary by state and territory, the general process includes completing an accredited teaching qualification, meeting English language and suitability requirements, and obtaining registration or accreditation from the relevant teacher regulatory authority. No matter your state or territory, here are the main steps to becoming a teacher in Australia.
Step 1. Enroll in a Bachelor’s Degree Program
Once you have determined that you meet the criteria to become a teacher, you should enroll in an accredited initial teacher education program that is recognized for teacher registration in the relevant Australian state or territory. Common pathways include a four-year Bachelor of Education or a bachelor’s degree in another discipline followed by an accredited Master of Teaching. Some graduate diploma pathways may be available in limited circumstances, but registration eligibility varies by state and territory, so always check both the university program page and the relevant teacher regulatory authority before enrolling.
Furthermore, you can learn about the benefits of specializing in areas such as early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, special education, or a specific secondary teaching area.
Many universities and colleges across Australia offer teaching degrees, such as Curtin University, which offers a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education) that takes four years of full-time study. Curtin also lists a three-year Bachelor of Educational Studies, but that course is for students who are not seeking registration as qualified school teachers. You could also enroll in the Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Western Australia, which takes 1.5 years full time. Tuition varies by university, program, residency status, and year of study, so check each university’s current fees page before applying.
Step 2. Take Relevant Tests
The next step to becoming a teacher in Australia is to complete any required tests, assessments, or suitability checks set by your university, employer, or teacher regulatory authority. These requirements can vary depending on the teaching area, qualification pathway, and state or territory.
One important requirement is the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE). Students in accredited initial teacher education programs are generally expected to attempt LANTITE in the first year of study and meet the required standard before graduation. The test assesses personal literacy and numeracy skills and is administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research.
Step 3. Complete Professional Teaching Studies
Professional teaching studies are completed through an accredited initial teacher education program. They usually include university-based study, teaching methodology, assessment training, and supervised professional experience in schools or early childhood settings.
Many universities and education providers offer professional placements so you can gain real-world experience, develop your teaching practice, and receive feedback while earning academic credit. These placements also help you assess whether teaching is the right career path for you.
Accredited initial teacher education programs must include professional experience. Current national accreditation standards require no fewer than 80 days of professional experience for undergraduate and double-degree programs, and no fewer than 60 days for graduate-entry programs. These placements are often unpaid vocational placements rather than ordinary paid internships. Under the Fair Work Act, a vocational placement can be lawfully unpaid if it meets the required conditions. Eligible domestic students undertaking mandatory placements in teaching degrees may also be able to receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment, which is set at AUD 338.60 per week.
Step 4. Apply for Provisional Registration
After you complete your teaching qualification, or in some jurisdictions when you are in the final semester of an accredited initial teacher education program, you can apply for provisional registration with the relevant Teacher Registration Board or teacher regulatory authority in your state or territory. Provisional registration generally allows new teachers to begin teaching while they work toward full registration.
For example, in Western Australia, final-semester students in an accredited initial teacher education program may apply for Provisional Registration – Final Year Student, but registration is finalized only after the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia receives a final transcript showing that the qualification has been completed. Fees and application rules vary by state and territory, so check the current requirements before applying.
Australia’s teacher regulatory authorities include the relevant bodies in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. You should apply to the authority in the state or territory where you plan to teach.
Step 5. Get Accredited as a Teacher
You need to be registered or accredited with the relevant teaching body before starting a teaching job in Australia. For example, the Victorian Institute of Teaching is the teacher regulatory authority in Victoria.
When applying for registration or accreditation, you must prove your academic and professional qualifications and meet suitability requirements. These may include a nationally coordinated criminal history check and, for applicants with overseas experience, an overseas criminal record check. In Victoria, currently registered teachers are generally exempt from holding a separate Working with Children Check for teaching, although they must follow Victorian requirements for other child-related work and must apply for a check if their teacher registration is no longer current.
Once you are provisionally registered and have started teaching, you will usually need to complete professional learning and demonstrate that you meet the Proficient Teacher level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers before moving to full registration.
FAQs: How to Become a Teacher in Australia
Can a Foreigner Become a Teacher in Australia?
Foreigners can teach in Australia if they have suitable qualifications, English language proficiency, work rights or an appropriate visa, and registration or accreditation in the state or territory where they plan to teach. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so always check the relevant teacher regulatory authority.
For migration skills assessment purposes, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership assesses whether an applicant’s qualifications and English language proficiency meet the requirements for the nominated teaching occupation. Applicants generally need at least four years of higher education, including a relevant initial teacher education qualification. For many school teacher occupations, the qualification must also include supervised teaching practice, commonly at least 45 days in the relevant educational setting. However, AITSL skills assessment is not the same as teacher registration, and overseas-qualified teachers must still meet the registration requirements of the state or territory where they want to teach. You may also need to undergo criminal record checks.
Australia can offer strong opportunities if you want to build a career in teaching. The steps to becoming a teacher in Australia vary by state and territory, but the general process is clear: complete an accredited teaching qualification, meet any testing and suitability requirements, and obtain registration or accreditation from the relevant teacher regulatory authority. Remember to continue updating your knowledge and skills to help you build a successful teaching career in Australia.
You can also consider applying for scholarships. If you are interested, check out the Study in Australia and Available Programs for International Students!
