How to become a primary school teacher
Step into your teaching career by following a unique path that suits you.
Quick facts
What do I need to study?
An undergraduate degree in primary education
How much can I earn?
$2,000 median weekly salary
What's the job market like?
2,300 new jobs in the past year
What does a primary school teacher do?
Primary school teachers are pillars of our society, responsible for teaching a prescribed curriculum to children spanning the ages of 5-12, as well as being proud custodians of their wellbeing. This includes caring for students’ emotional and social needs during the time they attend primary school.
Daily tasks
Working with an allocated class ranging from Prep/Foundation through to Year 6, primary school teachers:
Teach the prescribed curriculum appropriate for the age of children in the classroom, covering literacy, numeracy, social science, and sometimes art and physical education.
Encourage discussions amongst the class that contribute to comprehension of topics being studied, as well as maintaining discipline in the classroom and school yards.
Prepare learning plans that will excite and engage students when learning the curriculum.
Mark homework and assessments for each child within the class, noting students’ progress for both parents and the school.
Communicate with parents at regular intervals, as well as during times of need during the students’ journey at school. This may require working with the school principal, student counsellors and other teachers should the child need extra support.
Attend and contribute to staff meetings, conferences and workshops to further your professional development.
Help with excursions, camps, sport carnivals, school concerts and other activities that contribute to students’ wellbeing and the school community.
Mentor and supervise student teachers who are on placement within the school.
How to become a primary school teacher
Undergraduate pathways to becoming a primary school teacher
If you haven’t completed university study before, you will need to:
Choose and complete the pathway that best suits your level of experience below.
Apply for and complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Register to become accredited with the state or territory you wish to teach in.
Pathway Option 1: Open Access | Pathway Option 2: Undergraduate Certificate | Non-Pathway Option: Bachelor Degree |
Ideal if you: - Don’t have an ATAR. - Want to see how you handle a small amount of study to begin with. With this pathway option, you’ll gain entry into a Bachelor of Education (Primary) by successfully completing Open Access single subjects first. | Ideal if you: - Meet little to no entry requirements. - Want to achieve a standalone certificate to begin with. With this pathway option, you’ll gain entry into a Bachelor of Education (Primary) by completing an undergraduate certificate first. | Ideal if you: - Already have the required ATAR score listed on the course page you are interested in - Want to get started with a full degree straight away With this option, you’ll apply for entry into a Bachelor of Education (Primary) using your existing ATAR or relevant academic experience. |
Postgraduate path to becoming a primary school teacher
If you completed university study in a different field before deciding to become a primary school teacher, you will need to:
Complete a Master of Teaching (Primary)
Register to become accredited with the state or territory you wish to teach in.
Your undergraduate course options
Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies
UndergraduateCUR-HTE-CTF
Work towards your future in early childhood teaching
Study 4 core subjects in teaching children—and get entry and credit in Curtin’s Bachelor Degree. Topics include language, literacy, and curriculum. Start thinking about your career as a professional early childhood or primary educator.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
UndergraduateCUR-BED-DEG
A student centred approach to teaching and learning
Explore teaching strategies and integrate theory with practice. Study lesson planning, classroom management, special education and digital literacy. Gain practical experience through block teaching plus a whole term internship
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary)
UndergraduateACU-EDC-DEG
Confidence, skills and experience to teach prep to Year 12
Positively influence the lives of young people. You’ll develop as a teacher and a person. Explore curriculum, planning, and pedagogy. Learn to engage your learners and be inclusive. Includes supervised work placements to practice teaching in schools.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
UndergraduateUSQ-BEP-DEG
A flexible and industry engaged primary teaching degree
Prepare to educate in primary school classrooms across all learning areas. You’ll get to know the young student and how they learn. Explore teaching and curriculum for prep to Grade 6. Includes professional experience in mainstream and alternative settings.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Your postgraduate course options
PostgraduateTAS-EDC-MAS
A recognised teaching qualification in all states and territories
Become an inspiring primary school teacher. Develop your identity as an educator. Build pedagogical knowledge. Get hands-on in placements for 60 days. Start teaching in as little as two years.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)
PostgraduateACU-TEC-MAS
Bring your love of learning to the classroom
Focus on creating a great environment to support childhood learning. Become a passionate advocate for the rights of children. Explore the ways that you can help children to build knowledge, skills and positive attitudes.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Master of Teaching (Primary Education)
PostgraduateCUR-PRI-MAS
Uncover your teaching talent with an in-demand qualification
Develop advanced critical skills, knowledge and understanding concerning best practice in primary education to meet the needs of today's learners. As a graduate you will be well-placed to enter leadership pathways in your teaching career.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateGRF-PRT-MAS
Add to your degree and become a primary teacher
Engage with the theory and practice of teaching primary school-aged children. Explore the social context of education, the characteristics of learners and the curriculum. This program is designed for graduates from a non-education background.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Salary, career progression and job market
Salary by experience level
State | Entry-level salary for primary school teacher | Mid-level salary for primary school teacher | Senior-level salary for primary school teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
Victoria | $79,589 | $94,415 | $118,063 |
New South Wales | $90,177 | $105,173 | $127,281 |
Australian Capital Territory | $92,186 | $105,360 | $130,643 |
Queensland | $84,078 | $118,940 | $123,102 |
Northern Territory | $92,215 | $112,720 | $131,349 |
Western Australia | $85,610 | $111,476 | $128,697 |
South Australia | $82,496 | $99,523 | $119,647 |
Tasmania | $82,828 | $101,019 | $118,328 |
Correct according to each state Department of Education as of November 2025
Career progression
Graduate Teacher | Proficient Teacher | Highly Accomplished Teacher | Lead Teacher |
You enter the profession, ready to demonstrate your newfound understanding of students’ learning needs across cultural, social, linguistic and intellectual areas. | After some years in the profession, you’re confident in your ability to tailor needs to students, evaluating and improving on your own professional development along the way by connecting with fellow teachers for growth opportunities. | With in-depth understanding of curriculum and student needs, you become a sounding board for colleagues on their own professional journeys. You keep across new learning developments and recommend new approaches. | You are respected by colleagues across your school. Continuously seeking ways to improve the student experience, you inspire pupils, teachers and the principal with your ways of working. You are a mentor to those around you. |
Job demand
2,300 new jobs in the past year*
Strong future demand predicted for 47% of all education professionals**
Moderate future demand predicted for 86% of school teachers**
*Correct according to Australian Government as of November 2025.
**Skills Priority List Findings Education Professionals ANZSCO Sub-Major Group 24
Meet Master of Education graduate, Ally
Ally always wanted to become a teacher, so she could pass on her love of science to the next generation.
Watch how she made her dream happen by studying through Open Universities Australia.
Is this career a good fit for you?
You’re a great fit for a career in primary school teaching if you:
Feel your life’s purpose lies in helping others
Have a caring and patient nature, even when under the pump
Enjoy explaining the “why” behind everyday life to those around you
Feel excited about shaping the minds of learners
Are the “kid magnet” at family and friends’ gatherings involving children
Governing bodies and accreditation
Teaching registration is a requirement across Australia and ensures that all primary school teachers maintain a professional standard when working in classrooms.
Find the appropriate board for the state in which you wish to teach to find out more.
Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
If you’ve got your sights set on working as a primary school teacher in Victoria, it is a legal requirement to register with VIT upon completing your course.NSW Department of Education
If you’d like to work as a primary school teacher in New South Wales, it is a legal requirement to apply for 'approval to teach’ with the NSW Department of Education upon completing your course.Queensland College of Teachers
For those wishing to work as a primary school teacher in Queensland, it is a legal requirement to be registered with the Queensland College of Teachers upon completing your course.Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory
If working as a primary school teacher in the Northern Territory is your goal, it is a legal requirement to be registered with the Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory (the Board) upon completing your course.Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
In Western Australia, anyone who wishes to teach primary school must meet the legal requirement of being registered with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia upon completing your course.Teachers Registration Board Tasmania
Working as a primary school teacher in Tasmania legally requires you to register with the Teachers Registration Board Tasmania upon completing your course.Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
If you'd like to work as a primary school teacher in South Australia, you will need to meet the legal requirement of registering with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia upon completing your course.
FAQs about becoming a primary school teacher
What do I need to study to become a primary school teacher?
Primary school teachers in Australia need to have completed tertiary education in the field.
If you have not studied at university level before, this will usually be a Bachelor of Primary Education.
If you have completed a bachelor degree previously, you may be able to complete a Master of Teaching (Primary Education) instead.
These courses are available to study online with leading Australian universities through Open Universities Australia.
What’s it like to be a primary school teacher?
Primary school teachers usually describe their careers as rewarding, challenging, fun and fulfilling. You can find out more about what it’s like to be a primary school teacher by watching Ally's story.
What do primary school teachers do?
Primary school teachers deliver a curriculum to children who are generally aged 5-12 (Prep/Foundation through to Year 6) in the classroom. Their role not only involves ensuring students cover materials in English, mathematics, science, social studies and sometimes arts and physical education, but they also have a duty of care for the wellbeing of children at this stage of life, setting them up for success before they move onto high school.
What’s the average primary school teacher salary in Australia?
Primary school teacher salaries in Australia vary according to location and experience. Depending on where you teach and how long you’ve been teaching, you can expect to earn between $79,589 - $131,349 per year.
Is there much primary school teacher demand?
All Tertiary Education Teacher occupations have projected strong future demand according to Jobs and Skills Australia. Primary school teachers in particular can expect strong prospects, with 2,300 new jobs advertised in the past year alone according to the Australian Government.
What are the most important skills for a primary school teacher?
A nurturing nature is a must for primary school teachers, as is patience, attention to detail and creativity. An ability to multitask is also key.
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