How to Become an Early Childhood Teacher: Australian Careers in Education

With Australia’s population increasing, teaching is a profession that is always in demand. Qualified early childhood teachers are able to find employment nationwide, with further predictions of steady growth in future employment rates.

A secondary school teacher works with students from Year 12 to Year 12. To work within this sector, teachers must complete a specialisation as part of their Bachelor of Education degree, undertaking the requisite number of units in their teaching field. It is also possible to become a teacher through postgraduate studies.

Special education teachers are important figures in the lives of those with special needs. They use their teaching skills to cater to the needs of students with a sensory, physical, emotional or intellectual disability or other learning impairment. It requires a lot of patience, care and planning, and involves working collaboratively with parents, carers and health professionals. Special Education teachers instruct students in key life skills in addition to meeting educational goals.

Teaching English as a Second Language requires cultural sensitivity, a very good understanding of English, and creativity in developing and adapting course materials to suit student needs. Teachers work from kindergarten to Year 12 to improve students’ proficiency in English, using a range of assessment methods and teaching techniques.

Working in either primary or secondary schools, teacher librarians are in charge of ensuring that students have access to the right resources, those which are required as a part of coursework and those which may assistant them in building further knowledge outside of prescribed texts. They assist in improving student literacy, coordinate distance education programmes, familiarise students with technology and research methods and manage the school library.

An accredited childcare worker provides a supportive environment for children to work and play. The minimum requirement is a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. A diploma will enable you to progress into more advanced roles in out of school hours care and preschool environments.

VET lecturers are experienced professionals who provide targeted, industry-based instruction to students hoping to enter a specific industry. Completion of a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and relevant experience in your subject area will allow you to conduct classes, workshops or courses in your specialty area.

Principals oversee the performance and welfare of an entire school; students, parents and teachers alike. Working closely with heads of department and administrative staff, they approve the educational program in line with prescribed curriculum goals, organise fundraising programs and enrolment drives. They are generally very experienced teachers with a thorough understanding of the education system, who have decided to progress into a more challenging role.