Being able to reach and connect with students and provide the solutions and strategies they need to unlock their full potential provides a level of satisfaction that can’t be met by many other career pathways.
But there are definite challenges to a teaching career as well, no matter whether you’re looking into primary, secondary, or even tertiary level education roles.
So what can you really expect from a career in education? And how can you make sure you’re prepared for the realities of this career pathway?
If you’re a student on the verge of commencing your own tertiary learning journey, then this guide is for you.
Stick with us as we outline some of the key challenges and opportunities that accompany a career in education.
How do you become a classroom teacher?
In Australia, education students can qualify to become a classroom teacher by undertaking a specialised teaching degree like a Bachelor of Education or a Master of Teaching.
You can complete a degree via full-time or part-time on-campus study, however there are increasingly more education degrees also available via online study.
For instance, growing demands for educators with advanced qualifications have prompted many tertiary institutes across Australia to develop Masters level courses, meaning education students can now study a Master of Education online.
Whilst you don’t necessarily need a postgraduate qualification to become a classroom teacher, these advanced degrees are ideal for any aspiring educators who want to keep their career advancement opportunities wide open.
With a Master’s level qualification, you’ll be more likely to be considered for school leadership positions like year level coordinator roles or even administrative roles like vice principal or principal positions.
Primary or secondary level teacher qualifications typically also include work placement components where training teachers are positioned on-site at a local school alongside completing their assignments and exams.
It’s recommended that you evaluate all on-site requirements for online teaching degrees before enrolling in any online courses.
How much are teachers paid in Victoria?
Historically, teachers haven’t been the most well-paid profession, especially compared to other white-collar roles.
However, with union presence and strong bargaining with the Department of Education, teacher salaries are actually higher than you might expect here in Victoria.
As per the Department of Education regulations, salaries for public school teachers can range from anywhere between $78,000 to $126,000, with entry level roles starting at an average of $80,000.
Principal salaries can naturally skew a little higher, with a top of $260,000 for public school roles.
So as a first-year-out teacher, you can expect to be paid close to $80,000 before tax, and this will increase each year as you stay in the role.
There is also a new pay agreement that teachers, the teacher’s union and the Department are about to bargain for, so we will likely see an uptick in pay for first-year-out teachers as well as those who’ve been in the profession for longer, so this is an excellent time to embark on your teaching career.
Yes, the road hasn’t been smooth and will likely continue to be a little bumpy in the future as well, in that you can expect teacher strikes over the course of your career in education.
But change is on the horizon, especially following the pandemic and the uptick in the need for eLearning. Industry skills are growing more specialised and technical and as a result, we’re seeing teachers in public schools being remunerated accordingly.
How do you become a kindergarten teacher?
Alongside primary and secondary teaching, early childhood education is also growing in popularity across education students.
Growing demands for early learning facilities across metro Melbourne and regional Victoria makes early childhood education a fairly futureproof specialty for education students today.
Early childhood education qualifications are also essential for working as a daycare worker and kindergarten teacher in Australia.
A kindergarten teacher's role focuses on tending to young children's learning and development through a wide variety of play-based activities.
In Victoria, a kinder teacher will, using the relevant curriculum as defined by the Department of Education, design and implement teaching methods that promote social, physical, emotional and cognitive skills, often working collaboratively with fellow educators and other professionals in the classroom.
Kindergarten teachers, while still following a set curriculum, create play-based activities that foster a sense of exploration, creativity, and discovery in young children.
In this role, you’ll find yourself encouraging kids to engage in learning through play to promote their imagination and develop their social skills and ability to cooperate with their peers.
You'll also be responsible for closely monitoring each child's growth and development, noting their strengths and areas for growth and improvement, and communicating these to parents through online portals, written reports, and in-person meetings.
How much are early childhood educators paid in Victoria?
As kindergarten teachers typically don’t have to ascribe to a curriculum that’s as detailed as primary and secondary educators, salary expectations are naturally a little lower, ranging from anywhere between $80,000 to $95,000 per annum, depending on experience and specialised training.
However, just as teacher’s unions are pushing for more fair remuneration for primary and secondary level educators, so too are there calls to bolster salary expectations for early childhood educators.
Educators with qualifications in early childhood education can also boost their earning potential by taking on administrative roles like directorial positions at daycare centres and kindergartens.
So if you see yourself working long-term as a kindergarten teacher, expect some level of salary increase over the course of your career as you transition into more senior level positions.
What career advancement opportunities are available for educators?
Before embarking on any career pathway, it’s natural to ask yourself what advancement opportunities may be available to you.
And while we’ve touched on a few already (i.e. year level coordinators, vice principals, principals, etc.), there are many other opportunities that must also be considered.
For instance, educators with senior qualifications and extensive experience may even apply for roles within the state Department of Education.
Using the results of extensive educational research, these departmental roles maintain tasks like developing curricula that bring out academic excellence in students, as well as working with administrative staff in public schools across the state.
If you’d prefer to work within one school or institution, however, you may also consider administrative roles like school board members who are tasked with managing school resources, such as workforce size, funding, and the teaching specialties of their teams, and ensure these align closely with the curriculum and learning outcomes for students.
Additionally, many educators find that leadership roles open the door to broader responsibilities, including mentoring early-career teachers and shaping whole-school initiatives.
These opportunities not only strengthen your professional skills but also allow you to contribute meaningfully to the culture and long-term direction of your school community.
Is a career in education the right fit for you?
A career in education, after a master's level qualification, offers Victorian students diverse pathways, from classroom and kindergarten teaching to leadership roles like year-level coordinators or leaders.
With growing professional expectations and improving salaries, teachers can make meaningful contributions to student learning, school communities, and future generations while developing strong professional skills and long-term career opportunities.
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