Primary education courses
Introduction to Primary education
Do you want to teach young children during their first years at school—and make a lasting impression on their lives?
Open Universities Australia can help you find the pathway into primary school teaching that suits you best, whether you want to start small without entry requirements, or dive straight into an accredited primary education degree.
Start below to compare online primary teaching courses from leading universities. When you study your course online through us, you get to explore teaching theories from home, while completing essential professional placements at real primary schools.
We’re here to answer any questions you may have about your study choices. We can also guide you every step of the way through your enrolment, so you don’t have to navigate the complex world of university administration on your own.
What to study to be a teacher
To become a qualified teacher you need a bachelor or postgraduate degree in education.
So what’s the right option for you?
Bachelor degree
Best suits you if:
You have an ATAR of 70 or higher or have done VET studies
Don’t have the right ATAR? No worries
View pathwaysPostgraduate degree
Best suits you if:
You have already completed a bachelor degree in any discipline
Pathways to becoming a teacher
You don't have to put your future on hold if you didn't finish high school, or get the right ATAR.
Start uni with a study pathway today.
No entry requirements
Two options to start
Undergraduate certificates
- Begin your path to becoming a teacher candidate straight away
- Best for aspiring teachers who are domestic students
- Flexibly upskill in as little as six months to open up career opportunities
- Gain a qualification and four subjects to credit toward a bachelor degree
- Access student loans to support your journey
Single subjects
- Best for students who want to start small and try out study
- Flexibly upskill a specific area in as little as 13 weeks
- Earn credit with each subject to count towards a bachelor degree
- Access student loans to support your journey
Continue to a degree with full credits
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
- 100% online study with a flexibly located placement
- Graduate directly from the university
- Become a qualified teacher anywhere in Australia
Discover primary education courses
Online primary education certificate
Start with no entry requirements, and gain a certificate qualification on the way to completing your degree.
UndergraduateCUR-HTE-CTF
Work towards your future in early childhood teaching
100% online
6 months full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Online primary education subjects and short courses
Start small with no entry requirements, and gain entry into a Bachelor of Education.
UndergraduateCUR-EDC121
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Next enrolment closes 19 May
UndergraduateCUR-EDC140
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Next enrolment closes 19 May
UndergraduateCUR-EDC145
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Next enrolment closes 19 May
UndergraduateCUR-EDC175
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Next enrolment closes 19 May
UndergraduateCUR-EDC105
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
UndergraduateCUR-EDC135
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
UndergraduateCUR-EDC153
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
UndergraduateCUR-EDC163
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
Online primary education degrees
Get ready to make a difference in people's lives and become a teacher by studying a bachelor degree.
UndergraduateCUR-BED-DEG
A student centred approach to teaching and learning
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
UndergraduateSWI-PRI-DEG
A qualification to teach in primary schools across Australia
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateSWI-ECP-DEG
Teach children aged between 6 weeks and 12 years old
100% online
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateACU-EDC-DEG
Confidence, skills and experience to teach prep to Year 12
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateSCU-ECP-DEG
Double your options to work with young learners
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateUSQ-BEP-DEG
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateSCU-PSC-DEG
A teaching degree that gives you more options
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateECU-PRI-DEG
A nationally accredited teaching course in primary education
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateSCU-PRI-DEG
Transform the classroom with a primary teaching specialisation
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Online primary education graduate diploma
Searching for a more fulfilling career? Switch to teaching in just one year with a full time graduate diploma.
PostgraduateCUR-EDP-GDI
Switch careers to primary teaching – in just one year!
Online & on-campus
1 year full time or part time equivalent
Online primary education master degrees
Deepen your understanding of education with postgraduate study.
PostgraduateACU-TEC-MAS
Bring your love of learning to the classroom
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateCUR-PRI-MAS
Uncover your teaching talent with an in-demand qualification
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateCSU-TCH-MAS
Cultivate a love of learning in primary school students
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateGRF-PRT-MAS
Add to your degree and become a primary teacher
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateTAS-EDC-MAS
A recognised teaching qualification in all states and territories
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateSWI-MTP-MAS
Develop a holistic approach to learning
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateUSQ-MTP-MAS
Teach and support children in primary school
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateACU-TER-MAS
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) / Graduate Certificate in Religious Education
Spread the world of God in the classroom.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
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Primary education study FAQs
A primary education degree qualifies you to teach children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.
If you’d like to teach even younger children in preschools, you’ll need to complete an early childhood education course.
It depends on which pathway you take to become a primary school teacher.
If you jump straight into an approved primary teaching degree, it will take you 4 years of full-time study to complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education), or 2 years of full-time study to complete a Master of Teaching (Primary Education).
If you decide on a more flexible online study path, you can choose how many subjects you take at once and graduate at a faster or slower pace.
Yes, through Open Universities Australia you can get in through two study pathways:
An undergraduate certificate
If you didn’t finish Year 12 or get a high enough ATAR for teaching, you can enrol in an undergraduate certificate in education, like Curtin University's Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies. This certificate doesn’t have any entry requirements and is open to everyone. Once you complete the four subjects, you will be eligible to continue straight into a Bachelor of Education with full academic credit.
Single subjects
Alternatively, if you’re still on the fence about primary school teaching, you can try this study option. Through Open Universities Australia, you can enrol in single subjects from a Bachelor of Education without entry requirements, to get a feel for the study area. Once you finish those subjects, you can either walk away, or use them to qualify for entry into the full degree.
Book a consultation with a student advisor for more information about these study pathways.
You’ll learn how to:
- teach primary school-aged students in the core Australian curriculum areas, including maths, English, science and technology, history and geography, and arts.
- lead and manage a classroom of students from diverse backgrounds and a range of learning abilities.
- make lesson plans and assess student work.
- teach using appropriate technologies.
- understand child development and behaviour.
You can also choose to specialise in an area that interests you, like STEM education, the International Baccalaureate Programme or Indigenous Australian education.
When you study primary education online, you still cover the same material as an on-campus student. But instead of attending classes in a physical classroom, you watch your lectures and complete your coursework through an online learning portal when it’s convenient to you. This gives you the flexibility to fit study around other commitments in your life like full-time work or carer responsibilities.
Online study can also give you an advantage in the workforce. Former student Ally Kettle had time to volunteer at a local primary school when she completed her online Bachelor of Education with Curtin University. The extra practical experience gave her an edge when a graduate teaching position came up. She landed the role over hundreds of other applicants.
Yes, you’ll have the opportunity to complete professional placements at local, rural, regional or interstate schools and engage with students from all sorts of backgrounds. You’re required to complete a set number of hours in the classroom before you can qualify as a teacher in Australia.
Yes, the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching courses that are available through Open Universities Australia are approved teaching courses, or what’s known as Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses.
Once you graduate, you will be eligible for registration as a primary school teacher in all Australian states and territories, and in countries that recognise Australian primary teaching qualifications. You will be able to teach in Australian Government, Catholic and Independent schools.
Primary education graduates aren’t just restricted to teaching careers. You could also work outside the classroom, in an area such as:
- school administration and management
- education reform and policy
- education research
- curriculum design
- inclusive education
- corporate training
- youth guidance counselling.
Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.
Chat with us to find out more.
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
Student stories and study advice
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Start practising these strategies in your classroom now, or bookmark them for your learning journey. Inclusive school communities equal inclusive societies, period.
What is inclusive education?
Inclusive education is about students of all abilities, backgrounds and identities learning and growing together. Read more about the positives, negatives and practicalities here.
Why teaching is a good career choice
Teaching could help you find purpose and make a genuine difference in the lives of young people. Here’s how.
What makes a good teacher?
The best teachers aren’t just knowledgeable authority figures—they also know how to inspire and motivate their students. Here are the characteristics of a good teacher.We’re here to guide you to the right uni course
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