Are you thinking of becoming a teacher? Widely considered one of the most fulfilling and interactive jobs available today, teaching is an excellent career path. Not only are you near-guaranteed to get enrichment from the role, but teaching is also one of the most consistently in-demand professions in Australia – and it’s expected to stay that way. No matter how the world changes in the future, there will always be a need for teachers as they play a special role in shaping the minds of future generations.
Below, we take a look at all the reasons teaching is a fantastic option if you’re seeking a future-proof career.
Why work in teaching?
Teaching is one of the best ways to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people. As a teacher, you are responsible for shaping the inquisitive minds of the next generations to come. In your role, you have the power to positively influence how your students see the world, approach new challenges and overcome obstacles.
Teaching is also a highly social job. If you like meeting new people and getting to know them, you’ll likely love teaching. In a teaching job, you are guaranteed to interact with a wide range of students, colleagues and parents.
Additionally, teaching offers certain migration benefits to those looking to settle in Australia. Teaching is a skilled profession in Australia; working in this industry can therefore make you eligible for various visas, such as subclasses 189, 190 and 489.
The future of teaching in Australia
Teaching is an ever-evolving industry. We’re constantly seeing new developments in technology, child cognitive psychology and instructional design (i.e. the process of lesson planning). Because the sector is changing so regularly, it needs a high volume of adaptive professionals who can implement new practices.
The demand for teachers of all kinds is expected to remain high in Australia. The nation’s classrooms are facing significant teacher shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas, and in maths and science subjects. According to Australian government statistics, employment in the Education and Training sector is projected to grow by 13.4 per cent over the next five years.
The largest employing roles in the industry are as follows:
- Primary school teachers
- Secondary school teachers
- Education aides
- University lecturers and tutors
- Private tutors and teachers
Roles in the teaching industry
There are various roles in the teaching industry, meaning prospective teachers have many options and can choose what suits them best.
Primary school teachers and early childhood educators
Primary school teachers and early childhood educators (pre-primary school) are essential. In this role, teachers are responsible for teaching a wide range of subject areas to their students, ranging from maths to art to geography.
Within the discipline of early childhood education, some teachers specialise in individual year groups. This is because children of different ages have different demands. For instance, in kindergarten, teachers must tailor their learning style to very young minds with more hands-on learning. On the other hand, in Years 5 and 6, teachers start encouraging students to take more initiative with their learning and entrust them with more responsibilities.
Secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers typically take on a subject-specialised role; some choose to teach multiple related subjects, such as mathematics and science. Teaching secondary school students requires a unique set of skills; this role often involves managing a classroom, explaining concepts at a more in-depth level and acting as a positive role model to adolescents.
Education aides
Education aides are another pillar of the education sector. While they perform non-teaching duties, they typically assist in the supervision of young children, prepare teaching materials and support students’ learning of social skills.
University lecturers and tutors
At the tertiary level, lecturers and tutors are responsible for providing highly specialised education to adults. Some of the core responsibilities include preparing and delivering lectures, advising students on academic matters and guiding class discussions.
Private teachers and tutors
This type of teaching role involves educating students in the practice, theory and performance of subjects, such as art, dance, drama and music, in private training establishments. Core responsibilities include planning programs of study, assessing students and reviewing curricula.
Special needs and inclusive needs teachers
Special and inclusive needs teachers work with students with disabilities and learning difficulties to facilitate their learning and deliver specialised, tailored programs to optimise their engagement.
What do I need to become a teacher in Australia?
The basic educational requirement to become a teacher in Australia is a bachelor’s degree in Education Studies or Teaching. Some teachers choose to refine their skills with a master’s degree, but these are typically not required by employers unless you hope to become a university lecturer; in this case, you will usually need a PhD as well.
There are also certain skills you’ll need to succeed as a teacher. Teachers must be patient, flexible and resilient in the face of any setbacks they may encounter in and out of the classroom. As a teacher, you must also be incredibly creative in finding ways to engage your students. You must also be well-versed in conflict resolution to best support your students during disputes. Most importantly, teachers must have outstanding leadership abilities.
