Transition to Teaching Scholarship Program

Career changers with relevant subject expertise and experience and degree changers with relevant subject expertise who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible to apply.

Other opportunities available to future teachers not eligible for the Transition to Teaching Scholarship Program are available by visiting the department’s Get paid to study webpage.

No. Individuals cannot apply if they are already under a Scholarship Agreement with the department.

No. Applicants must be committed to commencing or continue university study from Semester 1, 2025.

Yes. Enrolment into a Master of Teaching (Secondary), at a recognised Australian university is the applicant's responsibility.

Yes. An applicant can apply for the Transition to Teaching Scholarship Program if they have commenced an accredited Master of Teaching (Secondary) and have a minimum of 6 months of study remaining from Semester 1, 2025.

The Transition to Teaching Scholarship can support future teachers for a maximum of 4 years. Scholars must remain enrolled and studying for the entire duration of time for which they have been granted a scholarship.

Yes. A scholar can study a Master of Teaching (Secondary) part time, however, studies must be completed within a maximum of 4 years.

Successful applicants are required to sign a Scholarship Agreement with the department, committing them to:

• successfully completing a Master of Teaching (Secondary), at a recognised Australian university that will lead to a qualification that meets the department’s and NESA's academic requirements for employment as a secondary teacher of a high-demand subject area
• undertaking all practicums in NSW public schools if commencing studies in 2025, or all remaining practicums if continuing studies in 2025
• satisfying the department’s recruitment procedures and requirements. During their final 2 semesters of study, scholars are required to submit an application for employment as a teacher through the department’s online application for approval to teach, which will include a teacher suitability interview
• accepting an appointment as a permanent full-time teacher in a NSW public school in an agreed location in line with the Scholarship Agreement (that is western and south-western Sydney and non-coastal rural areas of NSW) on completion of their studies
• remaining in the permanent full-time teaching position they are appointed to on completion of their studies for a minimum of 2 years.

Successful applicants will be required to complete all practicums in NSW public schools if commencing studies in 2025, or all remaining practicums if continuing studies in 2025. Scholars should speak to their university professional experience coordinator regarding their professional experience/practicum arrangements.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for accrediting initial teacher education programs in NSW. Applicants are advised to refer to the NESA website to make sure that the Master of Teaching they wish to study has been accredited.

If applicants intend to study or are currently studying a Master of Teaching (Secondary) in another state, they will also need to make sure that their program is recognised as an appropriate initial teacher education program accredited by NESA. The applicant’s university will determine if they have completed sufficient subject content knowledge in their undergraduate degree upon enrolment and will advise of any additional studies required. Further information about the subject content knowledge requirements for teaching are available by visiting the NESA website.

Some examples of relevant industries or career experience may include, but are not limited to:

• Mathematics: engineering, banking, insurance and investment, environmental modelling, medicine, meteorology, computing, information technology, government, education, research, lecturer or programming.
• Science (physics and chemistry focus): scientist, physicist, researcher, lecturer, astronomer, cyclotron engineer, data scientist, chemist, chemical engineer, nanotechnologist, toxicologist, aviation or oceanography.
• Technology and applied studies: agricultural jobs, trades e.g. carpentry or metal work, engineering, fabrication, aeronautical, avionics, mechanical, chef or hospitality.

Teachers who are changing careers and joining NSW public schools for the first time are eligible to seek recognition of prior employment and career experience within Australia for the purposes of their commencing salary. This is possible once:

• they complete a relevant teacher education qualification
• are accredited to teach with NESA as a teacher in NSW
• are granted approval to teach in NSW public schools.

Teachers are eligible to have 203 days (one year) of teaching service credited for each 2 year full-time equivalent period of prior employment, up to a cap of 1,218 days (6 years) of teaching service recognition.

An application for a salary determination will consider the role previously held and consider such prior employment and career experience to grant a higher salary level beyond Step 1.

Career changers who have their prior employment and career experience recognised may be granted Proficient (Pending) status for up to 2 years and be able to access salary levels beyond Step 2. If the teacher fails to attain Proficient accreditation in those 2 years, their salary will revert to Step 2 from the first pay period at the end of the 2 years.

No. The scholarship is only available to applicants who have not yet completed a NESA accredited undergraduate or graduate entry teaching degree. Approved teachers interested in gaining qualifications in additional teaching areas may be interested in the department's sponsored retraining programs.

Applications must be submitted using the online application form by Friday 14 March 2025, 11:59 pm (AEDT). Outside the application period, you are encouraged to subscribe to be notified when applications open.

We encourage applicants to commence and submit their applications as early as possible during the application period, and before applications close on Friday 14 March 2025, 11:59 pm (AEDT).

No, incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

The online application system will not allow an applicant to submit their application until all the required fields have been completed. Once an applicant clicks on the submit button, a confirmation email will automatically be sent to the email address they provided as part of the application process. Applicants are advised to please keep a copy of the confirmation email for their records.

If an applicant did not receive a confirmation email, they are advised to email the Employment Programs team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

NSW public schools are grouped into 10 geographic locations called regions. Each region has a number of 'staffing areas' for the purpose of staffing schools. Applicants are encouraged to download and view the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource. Scholarship holders are considered employment applicants and therefore when selecting areas as part of their scholarship application, schools to which they are considered for appointment will align with the 'staffing areas' for the purposes of staffing schools. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship.

Applicants will be required to nominate a minimum of 3 priority 'staffing areas' when submitting their application.

An applicant will be required to complete and submit the documents listed below as part of their application for the scholarship:

• Official transcripts of results for their relevant recognised undergraduate degree for each year of study. This also includes any studies as part of a Master of Teaching (Secondary) if an applicant has already commenced studies
• Evidence of enrolment into a recognised Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• Official evidence verifying completion of a relevant recognised undergraduate degree
• A statement of service confirming 2 years relevant career experience within the last 10 years (for career changers)
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check: Application and informed consent form (PDF 485 KB)
• Declaration for Child-Related Workers: Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (PDF 473 KB)
• Proof of evidence of Australian Citizenship, permanent residence or visa permitting employment in Australia (if not born in Australia)
• Proof of identity (PDF 255 KB)

To submit the documents, open the I Work for NSW application and upload in line with the instructions provided, prior to the closing date.

A selection panel will consider all applications shortly after the closing date. Scholarship applicants who are shortlisted will be required to undertake an online suitability interview to identify their capabilities, key knowledge areas and personal attributes, to determine their suitability.

Scholarships will be offered to successful applicants for entry to university/continuation of university studies in Semester 1, 2025.

The offer of a scholarship is dependent on the applicant:

1. being accepted into/enrolled in a Master of Teaching (Secondary), at a recognised Australian university that will lead to a qualification that meets the department’s and NESAs academic requirements for employment as a teacher of a high demand subject in NSW public schools
2. undertaking all practicums in NSW public schools if commencing studies in 2025 or all remaining practicums if continuing studies in 2025
3. satisfying the conditions of a Working With Children Check, which is a prerequisite for anyone undertaking child-related work. The check involves a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct
4. entering into a Scholarship Agreement, a legally binding agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both the scholarship applicant and the department. The agreement also states the duration of the scholarship and the service commitment areas selected by the applicant during the application process
5. successfully completing an assessment of English language proficiency for applicants who have not completed the full 4 years of required higher education studies in a country where English is the main language. This is a requirement to gain approval to teach in NSW public schools.

Scholarships contribute to increasing the supply of teachers for NSW public schools, with teaching subjects and location preferences forming part of the selection process. An applicant may increase their chances of being awarded a scholarship if they are prepared to teach in a number of high-demand school education areas.

Yes. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome via email once the selection process is completed.

If an applicant changes their contact details after the closing date, they are advised to please email their updated contact details to the department's Employment Programs team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

If an applicant would like feedback on their application, they are encouraged to contact the department's Employment Programs team via scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.

Scholars are paid their $10,000 annual training allowance once the Employment Programs team receives confirmation of enrolment in their teacher education studies. The full $10,000 allowance is paid based on a full-time study load of 8 subjects or more per academic year. If scholars are enrolled in less than 8 subjects per academic year, they will be paid a pro-rata amount at a rate of $1,250 per subject. The department will not provide an allowance for subjects previously failed and reattempted. The department will also not provide an allowance for subjects which scholars receive advanced standing or academic credit for. Allowances are paid in the form of an electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into their nominated bank account.

A $1,000 a week professional experience allowance will be available for scholars while undertaking a professional experience placement/practicum as part of course requirements. The professional experience allowance will be capped at a maximum of $12,000. Allowances are paid in the form of an electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly into the scholar’s nominated bank account. Scholars will be required to complete a Professional Experience/Practicum Allowance form providing details of their upcoming confirmed professional experience/practicum placement, to be eligible for payment.

The $10,000 annual training allowance and $1,000 a week professional experience allowance must be declared as assessable income on annual income tax returns. Scholars may have tax withheld from their annual training allowance and appointment allowance. HECS-HELP repayments may also be withheld.

It should be noted that if scholars withdraw from the scholarship program or breach the terms and conditions of their scholarship agreement and incur a liability, that the amount repayable is calculated based on the gross amount paid under the scholarship.

If a scholar is unable to fulfil the terms of the Scholarship Agreement, they will be required to repay the department for any payments received as part of the Transition to Teaching Scholarship Program. The amount repayable is calculated based on the gross amount paid under the scholarship.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, and subject to meeting requirements of the department’s approval to teach process, scholars are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school, in an agreed location in line with the Scholarship Agreement. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship. A scholar may initially be appointed to a NSW public school temporarily as 'above establishment' until a suitable substantive vacancy arises. Scholars may receive notification of their permanent teaching position up to 12 months prior to their entry on duty date.

On successful completion of their teacher education studies, scholars are appointed to a full-time permanent teaching position in a NSW public school in line with the agreed areas/locations confirmed within the Scholarship Agreement. Scholars should familiarise themselves with the schools located within each 'staffing area' in the NSW public schools by staffing area spreadsheet resource. Scholars will be given one appointment and will not be offered multiple appointments under the scholarship.

Yes. On completion of their teacher education studies and appointment to a permanent position, scholars may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and incentives. The benefits vary from school to school. Use the department's benefits calculator to find out about the benefits and incentives that are available to teachers at individual schools.

The department’s Beginning Teacher Information Hub provides important information to support beginning teachers as they commence their teaching career with the NSW Department of Education.