Do you have senior students interested in a career in teaching?

Teaching offers a unique and purposeful pathway that opens doors to countless career development opportunities. The NSW Department of Education's how-to guide for high school students clearly outlines the steps that need to be taken to become a teacher in a NSW public school.

Below you can find key information that may be useful when advising your senior students about a teaching career.


Why teach with the NSW Department of Education?

With nearly 100,000 employees working in schools and offices across the state, teaching with the NSW Department of Education offers a diverse and rewarding career. NSW public school teachers enjoy a wide range of professional benefits and career development opportunities, including:

Mentoring and support

Workplace benefits

  • Teachers receive generous leave provisions and a competitive graduate salary
  • Be supported to develop a range of transferable skills
  • Enjoy countless leadership progression opportunities
  • Make a difference in the community

A career that moves


Information for senior students

To become a teacher with the NSW Department of Education, senior students must complete Stage 6 English and mathematics subjects.

To meet university admission requirement students should aim to achieve three Band 5s (including one in English) and a Band 4 in mathematics. There may be additional subject prerequisites depending on which university a student completes their initial teacher education degree with.

Students can visit the NESA website for more information on prerequisites and alternate entry pathways.

To be qualified to teach in a NSW public school students need to complete a minimum of four years study, including an accredited teacher education course at a recognised Australian teacher education institution.

The specific course will depend on whether the student wants to teach in a primary or secondary school or is interested in becoming a specialist teacher (including school counselling, teacher librarianship, English as an Additional Language/Dialect, Vocational Education and Training or special/inclusive education).

The NSW Department of Education offers a range of scholarship programs to Year 12 students who are planning to complete approved studies in initial teacher education. During their HSC year, students can apply for a NSW Department of Education future teacher scholarship. Successful recipients receive financial support while studying and graduate with a guaranteed permanent teaching position in a NSW public school.


Useful resources


Teach NSW contacts

If you have any further questions regarding teaching careers with the NSW Department of Education, please contact teachnsw@det.nsw.edu.au.

For more information about future teacher scholarship programs, please contact scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au or phone 1300 301 435.

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