Making a career change to teaching
Why your professional experience is the future of education.
Feeling like your 9-to-5 job isn’t making the impact it could? If you’re searching for more purpose in your work, a career change to teaching could be the meaningful next step you’ve been looking for.
Teaching is both challenging and deeply rewarding. It’s not just a job – it’s a career that shapes futures and leaves a lasting impact on every student you teach. With a national teacher shortage and growing student populations, there are strong incentives for experienced professionals who want to transition into education.
At UNSW, we’ll help you make the switch. We offer accelerated Master of Teaching programs that recognise the value of your professional background. Whether you choose Primary or Secondary teaching, you can start making a difference in the classroom after just one year of full-time study and complete your degree in under two years.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to make a career change to teaching, how your skills could translate to a teaching career, teaching salaries in Australia and why your experience is the future of education.
Why now is the time to make the career change to teaching
There’s never been a better time to make a career change to teaching. With teacher shortages across the country, experienced professionals are in high demand – and there are strong incentives from both governments and schools to help you make the switch.
According to the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), over 58% of public school principals in Australia report teacher shortages – more than double the OECD average of 24.9%. The shortage is even more significant in disadvantaged areas, where nearly 67% of principals report a lack of teachers, making teaching an opportunity to use your experience where it’s needed most.
To attract more teachers, the Australian Government is offering generous financial support. The Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program provides up to $40,000 for new undergraduate and $20,000 for new postgraduate teacher education students. In return, recipients commit to teaching in public schools or government-run early learning settings after graduation.
Worried you won’t like teaching after you’ve completed your Master’s degree? At UNSW, you’ll get real classroom experience from your very first term. Through our INSTEP program, students spend one day a week in schools from Term 1, backed by 80 days of supervised professional experience throughout the degree. It’s a practical way to build confidence, test the waters and know you’re on the right path – before you graduate.
“If you’re considering teaching, now is the time to take the leap. It is challenging in different ways but incredibly rewarding. It offers a chance to make a real difference in students’ lives.”
Meher Bhandari
Primary School Teacher and UNSW graduate
Teaching salaries and career progression
Teaching offers the best of both worlds: meaningful work and a strong financial foundation. With high starting salaries and clear promotion pathways, it’s a career that rewards you from day one.
Comparison of graduate earnings for teachers and other professionals*
Wondering how graduate teaching salaries stack up against starting salaries in other professions? Here’s a snapshot of how starting teaching salaries in Australia compare to other careers.
| Teaching | Accounting | Engineering | Marketing | Law |
| $90,177 | $65,000 | $70,000 | $75,000 | $80,000 |
*Teaching salary taken from the current award in NSW. Other figures from the 2025/2026 Hays Australia & New Zealand Salary Guide.
Average teaching salaries by state in Australia
Teaching salaries in Australia vary state-by-state. Here’s a guide to how teaching salaries compare throughout Australia.
| State | School teacher average salary | Early childhood teacher average salary |
| New South Wales | $75k – $122k | $80k – $90k |
| Victoria | $74k – $111k | $70k – $90k |
| Queensland | $84k – $111k | $85k – $100k |
| Western Australia | $85k – $125k | $80k – $95k |
| South Australia | $80k – $120k | $85k – $95k |
| Tasmania | $74k – $115k | $74k – $95k |
| Northern Territory | $92k – $131k | $80 – 100k |
Career progression and earning potential in teaching*
As well as offering the opportunity to make a difference, teaching is a career that supports continuous progression, with clear promotion pathways and leadership roles.
| Assistant Principal / Head Teacher | Deputy Principal | Principal | Executive Principal |
| $149,059 | $174,034 | $229,435 | $245,989 |
*Figures based on the current award in NSW.
Why teaching in Australia offers long-term job security
If you’re looking for a stable, in-demand career, teaching in Australia offers long-term job security and national opportunities.
Right now, schools across the country are actively recruiting new teachers – and the demand is only growing. In NSW, there are around 1,698 public school vacancies. In Victoria, an estimated 112,000 new teachers will be needed by 2028. Queensland is also facing strong demand, particularly in regional and remote areas.
In NSW, the shift from temporary to permanent teaching roles means greater stability for mid-career professionals. As of 2025, 72% of public school teachers now hold permanent positions. This offers financial security and confidence in long-term planning, especially for those with mortgages or families.
I’m worried about starting my career over again
Concerned about making a career change to teaching means starting from the bottom again? That’s a common concern for professionals making a mid-career switch. You’ve built up skills, credibility and experience – and the thought of leaving that behind can feel like a step backwards.
The good news is – you don’t have to. At UNSW, we recognise that your professional experience is an asset, not something to be reset. Our Master of Teaching programs are designed with mature learners in mind, offering flexibility in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements and recognising the value you bring to the classroom.
Worried about finances while studying? UNSW’s teaching programs offer part-time study options, allowing you to balance work with your degree and spread out placements over time. It’s a practical way to maintain income while preparing for your next career.
You won’t be out of work for long either. UNSW’s accelerated Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) programs, unique in Australia, allow you to start teaching after just one year of full-time study and finish your degree in under two years.
“My pathway to teaching has been anything but linear, but looking back, it all makes sense. Before commencing my Master of Teaching, I completed a Bachelor of Design and a Bachelor of Media. I worked in both large and small companies in different marketing roles. While I appreciated the creativity in these roles, I was drawn to a career that offered a deeper sense of purpose. This led me to explore teaching further.”
Meher Bhandari
Primary School Teacher and UNSW graduate
Making your undergraduate degree work for your teaching career change
Worried your previous degree might not count? You're not alone – it’s one of the most common concerns for career changers. But the reality is, many degrees already meet the subject requirements for teaching in Australia.
| For primary teaching | For secondary teaching |
If you’re looking to teach in primary schools, your degree just needs to show a breadth of study across key learning areas – like English, Maths, Science & Technology, or Human Society and Its Environment. Many generalist degrees, including Arts, Social Science, Business and Science, meet this requirement. If you’re short on maths? There are bridging options available, such as the TAFE NSW Mathematics for Primary Education course, which can be completed before or during your studies. | To teach in secondary schools, you’ll need to specialise in two subject areas – known as Methods. Most degrees already include the right mix of units, particularly in fields like Arts, Business, Science, and Engineering. For example, someone from a marketing background could teach Business Studies, an engineer might teach Mathematics or Physics, and a media graduate could teach English or Drama. |
At UNSW, we’ll help you assess your eligibility and map out the fastest, most practical path into the classroom. To give you a clearer picture of how your qualifications might translate, here’s how common degrees align with teaching areas – and a few things to watch out for.
| Your degree | Likely first method (Major) | Likely second method (Minor) | What you need to know |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Business Studies | Economics or Society & Culture | You’ll generally need at least one unit of Finance/Accounting and one unit of Business Management. Marketing alone may not be enough. |
| Bachelor of Engineering | Mathematics | Physics or Engineering Studies | Maths methods require Algebra and Calculus. Engineering Maths usually counts, but Statistics-heavy degrees might fall short. |
| Bachelor of Science | Biology / Chemistry | Investigating Science | You’ll need specific units – e.g. genetics/evolution for Biology, and atomic structure/reactions for Chemistry. |
| Bachelor of Arts (Media/Comms) | English | Society & Culture or Drama | English methods need a strong Literature core. Media or Creative Writing units help but can’t make up the whole major. |
| Bachelor of IT / Computer Science | Software Design & Development | Information Processes & Technology | Some degrees may lack the systems content required. Coding alone may not meet the threshold. |
How your career experience could map to a postgraduate teaching qualification
Career changers often worry they’re starting from scratch. In reality, many enter teaching already proficient in key areas. Using the AITSL Professional Standards for Teachers as a guide, here’s how your workplace experience can translate directly into the classroom – in ways principals and hiring panels will recognise.
| On your resume | How it applies to teaching | Relevant AITSL Standard |
| Planning and delivering structured learning programs. Building partnerships with parents and carers. |
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| Using student data to assess learning and adapt teaching strategies. |
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| Managing student behaviour and supporting diverse learning needs. |
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| Breaking down complex topics, communicating clearly and engaging an audience. |
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| Ensuring student safety and meeting legal obligations (e.g. Duty of Care, Child Protection). |
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| Reflecting on teaching practice and selecting resources that improve learning. |
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Make your career change to teaching at UNSW
Ready to turn your professional experience into a meaningful new career? At UNSW, we’re here to support your transition into teaching.
Check your eligibility
Find out how your undergraduate degree translates into a teaching qualification.
Start sooner
Our accelerated Master of Teaching programs let you graduate in just 1.3 years and start earning sooner.
Speak to an expert
Have questions about changing careers? Book a 1:1 consultation with a UNSW Future Students advisor who specialises in postgraduate transitions.
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