Master of Teaching in Australia: Primary, Secondary, and AITSL Registration

A Master of Teaching in Australia is a postgraduate pathway for graduates seeking to become qualified, registered teachers. Programs are accredited by AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) and lead directly to teacher registration and employment in Australian schools. This guide covers program structures, specialisations, registration requirements, and career pathways. According to 2024 public survey data found that 96% achieved state teacher registration within 6 months of completion, with 89% securing employment contracts at Australian schools by the end of their first registration year.

What is a Master of Teaching?

A Master of Teaching (also called Master of Teaching and Learning, Master of Education, or Master of Secondary/Primary Teaching) is a 1.5–2-year postgraduate degree designed for graduates without prior teaching qualifications. The program combines:

Pedagogical theory (how students learn, curriculum design, assessment).
Subject method courses (teaching specific subjects like English, mathematics, science, history).
Professional practice (classroom management, technology integration, inclusive education).
Teaching practicum (4–12 weeks of supervised classroom teaching in Australian schools).

Upon graduation and successful completion of the practicum, graduates become qualified teachers eligible for registration with state education authorities.

Primary vs Secondary Teaching

Master of Teaching (Primary)

Target students: Teaches grades Prep–Grade 6 (ages 5–12).
Curriculum: Broad across all subject areas (English, maths, science, humanities, arts, PE, etc.).
Focus: Child development, foundational learning, classroom management, inclusive teaching.
Duration: 1.5–2 years.

Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Target students: Teaches grades 7–12 (ages 12–18).
Specialisations: Choose 1–2 subject areas (English, mathematics, science, history, geography, languages, arts, PE, business, technology, etc.).
Focus: Subject expertise, adolescent development, critical thinking, assessment for learning.
Duration: 1.5–2 years.

Some universities offer combined Primary/Secondary options or flexibility to specialise in multiple areas.

Top Australian Teaching Universities

UNSW Sydney — School of Education

Master of Teaching (Primary): 2 years, part-time and full-time options.
Master of Teaching (Secondary): 2 years; specialisations in English, maths, science, humanities, LOTE.
Practicum: 12 weeks across diverse schools (rural, urban, disadvantaged).
Partnerships: NSW Department of Education, Catholic schools, independent schools.

Master of Teaching (Primary): 2 years.
Master of Teaching (Secondary): 2 years; specialisations across all major disciplines.
Practicum: 10 weeks in NSW schools; some rural/remote placements available.
Support: Dedicated international student support and professional development.

Monash University — Faculty of Education

Master of Teaching (Primary): 1.5–2 years.
Master of Teaching (Secondary): 1.5–2 years; specialisations in STEM, humanities, languages.
Practicum: 12 weeks in Victorian schools.
Flexible delivery: Some online components for theory.

University of Melbourne — Graduate School of Education

Master of Teaching (Primary): 2 years.
Master of Teaching (Secondary): 2 years; specialisations widely available.
Practicum: 8 weeks + 4 weeks in diverse Australian schools.
Research pathway: Optional thesis/research component.

Macquarie University — School of Education

Master of Teaching (Primary): 2 years, full-time and part-time.
Master of Teaching (Secondary): 2 years; specialisations in English, maths, science, humanities.
Practicum: 10 weeks in NSW schools.
Flexible entry: Supports career changers and international graduates.

ANU — School of Cybernetics and Education

Master of Teaching (Primary): 2 years.
Master of Teaching (Secondary): 2 years.
Practicum: 8 weeks + additional school engagement.
Location: Canberra; ACT schools and partnerships.

Typical Curriculum (Secondary)

A 2-year Master of Teaching (Secondary) typically includes:

Core courses (all students):

Learning theories and student development
Curriculum design and pedagogical approaches
Assessment and feedback for learning
Technology and digital teaching
Inclusive education and diversity
Professional ethics and practice
Classroom management
Research methods

Subject method courses (1–2 specialisations):

📖 - Master of Teaching (Secondary) at Deakin: Placement Days, Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration, and CASPer Requirements for 2025

English / Humanities:

Secondary English teaching methods
Literature and language pedagogy
Critical literacy and composition

Mathematics:

Secondary mathematics teaching methods
Number, algebra, geometry, statistics
Problem-solving and reasoning

Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics):

Secondary science teaching methods
Laboratory safety and practical work
Inquiry and evidence-based learning

Languages (French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, etc.):

Language teaching methodology
Culture and communication
Multilingualism in classrooms

Humanities (History, Geography, Economics):

Discipline-specific pedagogies
Critical thinking and source analysis
Place-based and citizenship learning

Teaching Practicum:

Practicum Block 1 (4–6 weeks): Observation and co-teaching.
Practicum Block 2 (4–6 weeks): Lead teaching and classroom responsibility.
Supervision: Mentored by experienced teachers; university supervisors observe and assess.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

Bachelor’s degree: From any discipline (3+ years). GPA 2.5+ or 65%+ average preferred.
Subject knowledge: For secondary teaching, bachelor’s degree or strong coursework in intended teaching subject.
English language proficiency: IELTS 7.5+ or TOEFL 100+ (higher than many programs due to teaching requirements).
GRE/GMAT: Rarely required for teaching programs.

AITSL and State Requirements

AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) sets national teaching standards. Most states require:

Character and working with children check: Criminal history and suitability assessment.
Health declaration: Mental and physical health fit to teach.
Professionalism check: No professional misconduct history.

Teaching-Specific Requirements

Motivation statement: Essays demonstrating passion for teaching, understanding of education issues.
References: 2–3 referees (academic or professional).
Interview: Often required; assesses communication, subject knowledge, classroom readiness.
Prior teaching experience: Preferred but not mandatory (e.g., tutoring, internships, volunteer teaching).

English Language Proficiency for Teachers

IELTS 7.5+ is a national requirement for teacher registration in Australia. This is higher than most other professions due to:

Direct responsibility for student learning and communication.
Requirement to communicate clearly with students, parents, and colleagues.
Assessment of student work (written feedback).
Duty of care and professional standards.

Alternative English tests (OET, TOEFL, Duolingo) may be accepted; confirm with your state education department and AITSL.

AITSL Accreditation and Registration

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) sets national accreditation standards for teacher education.

AITSL Accreditation

All Master of Teaching programs must be accredited by AITSL, meaning they meet:

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: Graduate, proficient, highly accomplished, lead.
Curriculum requirements: Pedagogy, subject method, practicum, professional knowledge.
Quality assurance: Regular audits and program evaluation.

Teacher Registration by State

Upon completing an AITSL-accredited Master of Teaching, graduates apply for registration with their state education authority:

NSW: NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Victoria: Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Queensland: Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
South Australia: SA Teachers Registration Board
WA: Western Australian Teaching Council (WATC)
ACT: ACT Education Standards Board
Tasmania: Tasmanian Institute of Teachers
NT: NT Teacher Registration Board

Registration typically occurs 2–4 months after graduation and submission of all required documents.

Cost and Scholarships

University	Duration	Annual Tuition (AUD)	Total Cost (AUD)
UNSW	2 years	48k–54k	96k–108k
University of Sydney	2 years	46k–52k	92k–104k
Monash	1.5–2 years	43k–49k	64.5k–98k
University of Melbourne	2 years	48k–54k	96k–108k
Macquarie	2 years	45k–50k	90k–100k
ANU	2 years	42k–48k	84k–96k

Living costs: AUD 24k–30k annually. Total 2-year investment: AUD 135k–170k.

Scholarships:

Limited merit-based scholarships for international teaching students (universities often prioritise domestic teachers due to government support).
Teach for Australia / Teach for Impact programs: Sometimes offer sponsorship for international teachers in high-need schools.
Employer sponsorship: State education departments may sponsor teachers in critical shortage areas (STEM, languages, special education).

Career Outcomes and Salary

Teacher salary in Australia (AUD):

Role	Entry Salary	5-Year Salary	10-Year Salary
Primary teacher (NSW public)	76k–82k	100k–110k	120k–130k
Secondary teacher (NSW public)	76k–82k	100k–110k	120k–135k
Head of Department (secondary)	—	—	130k–160k
Principal	—	—	150k–200k+
Catholic/Independent schools	65k–75k	85k–100k	100k–130k

Benefits of Australian teaching:

Secure employment (critical shortage areas).
Strong superannuation (employer pension contribution 12.5%).
School holidays (4 terms/year, ~40 weeks of work).
Professional development funding.
Job security and career progression.

Employment rate: 85–95% of teaching graduates employed as teachers within 6–12 months of graduation.

Visa and Migration Pathways

Post-Study Work Visa (subclass 485)

Teachers are eligible for a 1–3-year post-study work visa:

3 years for secondary teachers in critical shortage subjects (mathematics, science, languages).
1–2 years for primary teachers (depending on state).
Requires 16-month Australian Study Requirement (ASR).

However, many international teachers secure permanent employment in Australian schools and transition to employer sponsorship (subclass 186) instead.

Skilled Migration

“Teacher” (ANZSCO 241700) is on Australia’s skilled occupation list. After 3 years of teaching experience, teachers can apply for skilled migration (189, 190, or 491).

However, many international teachers transition directly to permanent employment in Australian schools rather than pursuing skilled migration routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I teach in Australia while I study a Master of Teaching? Not as a fully qualified teacher. You can work as a tutor or support assistant (20 hours/week on a student visa). Upon graduation and registration, you become eligible for full-time teaching employment.

How long does teacher registration take after graduation? Typically 2–4 weeks after submitting all required documents to your state education authority. Some states may take longer (up to 8 weeks) if additional checks are needed.

Which states have the highest teacher demand? NSW and Victoria (largest populations) have highest demand overall. Remote and regional areas (especially NT, far WA, rural QLD) have critical shortages in all subjects.

Which teaching subjects have the best job prospects? Critical shortage subjects: Mathematics, physics, chemistry, languages (Mandarin, Japanese, French), special education. Good demand: English, biology, history, geography. Lower demand: Arts, humanities (oversupplied).

Can I teach in Australia with a teaching degree from my home country? Not directly. You must complete a Master of Teaching (or equivalent Australian teaching qualification) and register with your state education authority. Foreign teaching degrees are not automatically recognised.

What is the difference between a primary and secondary master’s degree? Primary teachers teach all subjects to one cohort (Prep–Grade 6). Secondary teachers specialise in 1–2 subjects and teach many classes (Grades 7–12). Secondary offers subject depth; primary offers breadth.

Can international teachers work in Australian private schools? Yes, though private schools may have additional requirements. Some accept international teachers with conditional registration pending full qualifications.

Sources

AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) — Accreditation and standards: https://www.aitsl.edu.au
NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) — Teacher registration: https://www.nesa.nsw.edu.au
VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching) — Teacher registration: https://www.vit.vic.edu.au
Department of Education (across states) — Employment and teaching roles
UNSW Sydney — Master of Teaching: https://www.unsw.edu.au
University of Sydney — Master of Teaching: https://www.sydney.edu.au
Department of Home Affairs — Visa information: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
QILT — Graduate outcomes data: https://www.qilt.edu.au

Last reviewed: April 2026.