How to become a teacher

Want to empower the next generation? Become a teacher! Teachers lay the groundwork for students’ futures. They don’t just teach the curriculum – they educate, mentor and help students thrive. The path to becoming a teacher starts at Charles Sturt University. And, when you study with the number one uni in Australia for grads who get jobs, you set yourself up for career success.¹

Why choose teaching?

Teaching is a respected, regulated, and in-demand profession throughout Australia. There is a growing demand for qualified teachers, especially in rural, remote and regional areas.

High employability: As there is a teacher shortage, you’ll have strong employability – from the city to the country.
Strong salary potential: Get paid well to teach. The starting salary for a graduate teacher in New South Wales is around $87,000, and the earning potential as an experienced teacher is around $125,000.²
Specialise: Diversify your teaching skills with opportunities to work in special education or with English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D).
Grow your teaching career: Take your teaching career further with leadership roles. You could aspire to become a stage leader, mentor or coach.
Make a real impact: Embrace curiosity, grow potential and inspire students every day.

Explore teaching for a career with progression, stability and real purpose.

How to become a teacher in 4 steps

To become a teacher, you’ll need to complete an accredited degree, undertake professional experience placements, and get accredited to teach.

Step 1: Find the right undergraduate teaching course

Maths, science, English, history – you name it. When considering a teaching career, it’s helpful to know which subjects you’re interested in teaching. Enjoy a bit of everything? Become a primary school teacher. Want to teach younger children? Become an early years educator. Wherever you want to teach, we have you covered. This includes our teacher’s aide entry pathway. Most of our undergraduate teaching courses can be studied full-time over four years.

Teaching degree	What to expect
Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years)	Early years educators are in demand. Learn online with practical work placements in real educational settings throughout your course.
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)	Help younger children thrive. Gain extensive experience using the latest teaching strategies and technologies found in schools and early childhood services.
Bachelor of Education (K–12)	Teach children from kindergarten to Year 12. Become a teacher with the skills and knowledge to teach in both primary and secondary schools.
Bachelor of Education (Primary)	Shape young minds, cultivate curiosity and create positive learning environments in which children aged five to 12 years can thrive. Study on campus or online.
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)	Teach Australia-wide in diverse high school settings. Choose from up to two teaching areas, including creative arts, English, HSIE, mathematics, PDHPE, and science.

Looking for a career change to teaching? If you’ve completed a previous bachelor’s degree, check out our graduate entry teaching courses. Study our online Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary) and get qualified to teach in as little as two years.

Step 2: Apply and study with Charles Sturt

Choose your preferred teaching course, ensuring you meet the entry requirements.
Apply through UAC, VTAC or direct application.
Enjoy flexible study options, including on-campus, online, or blended learning.
Get practical experience in real classrooms from early in your course.
Connect with industry and get support to help you succeed.
Take the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE). The earlier the better! Note: You must pass LANTITE to complete your degree.

Step 3: Build expertise through placements

Practical experience in school or childcare is an essential part of becoming a teacher. To go on placement, you’ll need to have a Working With Children Check (WWCC). Here’s what you can expect from your professional placements:

Generally, undergraduate degrees require 80 days of placement.
Typically, graduate entry programs require 60 days of placement.
During placement, you’ll not only teach the curriculum. You’ll also learn how to lead classrooms and manage behaviour.
Best of all, you’ll gain valuable experience teaching a diverse range of learners.

Step 4: Gain accreditation and start your teaching career

To become a teacher in NSW, you’ll need to apply for teacher registration (also known as approval to teach) and accreditation with NESA.

Conditional accreditation: If you’ve completed at least 75 per cent of your undergraduate course (or 50 per cent of a Master of Teaching), you can apply for conditional accreditation.
Provisional accreditation: You can apply for provisional accreditation once you’ve completed your initial teacher education and have your testamur.
Apply for teaching positions: To start your teaching career, sign up for teaching jobs newsletters, such as the NSW government JobFeed, and apply online. You could choose to teach at government, Catholic, independent or private schools.
Become a teacher!

Why choose Charles Sturt University?

When you study our education courses, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a range of schools and education settings throughout your degree. Graduate classroom ready when you’re guided by experienced teachers and expert academics. You can also access dedicated placement support and have options to undertake your professional placements within an hour of where you live, or even across Australia if you choose. You may also be eligible for paid placements.

Skills you’ll build at Charles Sturt

When you study teaching with us, you’ll build classroom, professional and interpersonal skills.

Classroom skills	Professional and interpersonal skills
Lesson planning and curriculum design	Communication and collaboration
Classroom management and curriculum design	Adapability and problem-solving
Assessment and feedback techniques	Cultural competence and inclusivity
Differentiated instruction for diverse learners	Time management and organisation
Technology integration in teaching	Reflective practice and continuous learning

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a teacher?

Generally, it takes around four years of full-time study in an accredited teaching degree program to become a teacher. However, if you’re completing a graduate entry initial teacher education course, you can complete your studies in as little as two years of full-time study. Then you’ll need to

What subjects can I teach?

The subjects you teach will depend on your teaching qualification. If you study primary teaching, you’ll be prepared to teach across the full curriculum. If you choose to study secondary teaching, you can specialise in creative arts; English; human society and its environment; mathematics; personal development; health and physical education; and science.

What’s the salary like?

Salaries will differ between the states and territories. However, teaching is generally a well-paid profession. As a graduate teacher in NSW, you could earn a starting salary of around $87,000, with an earning potential of around $125,000.

Where can I teach with a Charles Sturt qualification?

From rural to remote and regional to metropolitan areas, a Charles Sturt teaching qualification will open up career opportunities Australia-wide.

How competitive are graduate teaching jobs?

There is a teacher shortage throughout Australia. So teachers are in high demand, especially in rural and remote areas. The most in-demand teaching roles include maths, science, special education and English as a second language.

Can I study part-time while working?

Yes! With our flexible online courses, you can study your initial teacher education program part-time while continuing to work. And you won’t go it alone. We’re here with you every step of the way!