Topic:

Introduction

Studying Teaching (Secondary Education) in Australia involves preparing to become a high school teacher for Grades 7 to 12, making it a highly sought-after educational path. The salary for high school teachers can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the specific school or institution. However, according to Teach Queensland, newly secondary education graduate can earn up to AU$73,629 yearly.  

Another benefit of this occupation is that you are likely to have longer annual leave/holiday than other occupations. Students in Australia normally have up to 12 weeks of schools break and summer holidays, which means teachers may also have paid holidays during this time.  

Why study Secondary Education in Australia?

1. Top Rankings

Australian universities are well-known for their teaching quality, and their qualifications are recognised worldwide. According to QS Ranking 2023, there are 7 universities listed among the world’s Top 100 in the Education discipline. 

2. No specific background needed.

If you are a high school graduate, you can either start with a Diploma course and study your way into a bachelor’s degree, or you can use your final high school examination results to apply for a Bachelor’s course. 

If you have any bachelor’s degree, doing a Master of Teaching (Secondary) often requires no background in Education. The university usually rely on your bachelor’s degree to consider which subjects you can teach in high schools in Australia. Contact us for more information!  

3. Multiple Start Dates

Australian universities normally have 2 intakes each year which makes it more flexible for international students to commence their program based on their individual situation. 

4. Post-Study Work Visa

By studying 2 years or more in a higher education Teaching (Secondary) degree, students will be eligible for a 2-5-year Post-study Work Visa. Graduates can utilise these visa opportunities to get more work experience. For Teaching (Secondary) students, they can also use this work visa to prepare for their future migration options. 

What are the career outcomes after graduation from Secondary Education courses?

  • Secondary School Teacher: This is the most common career choice for graduates of primary education programs. Primary school teachers in Australia educate students in primary levels, typically from kindergarten to Year 6. They plan lessons, assess student progress, and provide a comprehensive education in various subjects. 
  • Education Consultancy: Education consultants provide advice and expertise to schools, education departments, or educational organisations. They may assist with curriculum development, teacher training, or program evaluation. 
  • Education researcher: Graduates with a passion for research can pursue careers as education researchers, conducting studies to improve teaching methods, curriculum, and educational policies. They may work in academic institutions or research organisations.  
  • School Administrator: With additional qualifications and experience, primary education graduates can aspire to become school administrators. These roles involve managing the daily operations of a school, overseeing staff, and ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. 
  • Curriculum Developer/Planner: Curriculum developers design educational materials and resources for primary schools. They may work for educational publishers, government bodies, schools or educational technology companies. 
  • Literacy and Numeracy Coach: Literacy and numeracy coaches provide specialised support to primary school teachers in improving students’ literacy and numeracy skills. They often work within a school or educational district.  
  • Learning Enhancement Teacher: often referred to as a Learning Support Teacher, is an education professional who specialises in providing additional support and assistance to students who may have specific learning needs or challenges. 

Want to explore more about the career outcome of performing arts courses? Contact SOL Edu at [email protected] or fill in the enquiry form! Our team will give you free consultation and free application process.   

What Education (Secondary) programs might you study in Australia?

  • Diploma of Educational Studies 
  • Bachelor of Education 
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching
  • Graduate Diploma in Teaching 
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary) 
  • PhD 

What are entry requirements to enroll in a Secondary Education Degree in Australia?

  • For the Diploma course, normally applicants are required to have completed Year 12 or equivalent and attained IELTS 5.5   
  • For the Bachelor’s course, normally applicants are required to have completed Year 12 or a Diploma course and attained IELTS 6.5 (Note: some schools require IELTS 7.5) 
  • For the Master’s course, normally applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree and attained IELTS 7.5  

 Not sure if you meet the entry requirements of your preferred design course? Contact SOL Edu, one of the best education agencies in Brisbane, today! Our team will offer you free consultation and free application process. 

What majors might you study for your Teaching (Secondary) degree in Australia?

In Australia, when pursuing a degree in Teaching (Secondary), you are required to choose two more teaching areas or subjects to specialise in. These teaching areas, also known as majors or specialisations, correspond to the subjects you’ll be qualified to teach in secondary schools (Grades 7-12). The specific majors or teaching areas you can select may vary slightly depending on the university or institution offering the program, but some common options include: 

  • Math 
  • English  
  • Science  
  • History  
  • Geography  
  • Physical Education  
  • Drama 
  • Visual Arts  
  • Music 
  • Business 
  • IT 
  • Design  
  • Special Education  

Where to study Secondary Education in Australia?

Diploma Level

Bachelor’s Level

Master’s Level

How to pass skills assessment for a primary teacher in Australia?

Unlike other skilled occupations, secondary teachers do not need to prove their teaching experience to obtain a positive skills assessment. Only two criteria are applied to assess if you are qualified to be a secondary teacher in Australia.   

  • Qualifications:   

You must have completed a minimum of four years full time higher education study. Your study must include a relevant initial teacher education qualification and can include other qualifications.  

Initial Teacher Education Qualification Requirements:  

Your study must include an initial teacher education qualification comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7) or higher, which includes:   

(1) at least one year full-time higher education (university) level study of Secondary School Teacher initial teacher education  

(2) completion of at least 45 days of supervised teaching practice with students across the 13 -18 years in a primary school setting.  

 

Other Higher Education Qualification Requirements:  

Other higher education qualification contributing to the four years of study must be comparable to the educational level of an Australian Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 6) or higher.  

If your course is a four-year Bachelor of Education (Secondary), you are likely to meet the qualification requirement. However, if your bachelor only includes three years study, you must have an additional relevant initial teacher education qualification, such as Graduate Diploma or Master of Teaching (Secondary) to satisfy skills assessment requirement.   

  • English proficiency:   

Since teaching requires a high language proficiency to teach students, the English score required for skill assessment is high compared to other occupations. You can choose one of the following options to prove your English skills: 

  • An Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that shows a score of at least 7.0 for both Reading and Writing; and a score of at least 8.0 for both Speaking and Listening. The IELTS test scores must be the result of a test undertaken during the 24-month period prior to submitting an application.  
  • Completion of at least four full years of study (or part-time equivalent) in higher education in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America resulting in qualification/s comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7) or higher. This study must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification.   

Want to know if your qualification and work experience are eligible for a migration skill assessment? Contact SOL Edu today at [email protected] or fill out the inquiry form. Our team will reach out to you within 24 hours at the latest!   

 

What is the PR pathway for a Secondary Teacher to migrate to Australia?

Step 1: Apply for a 485 visa  

After completing a at least 2 years of Secondary Education Course, you are eligible to apply for visa 485 (Post-Higher Education Work stream). You are required to have at least IELTS overall 6.5 with no band score under 5.5 in the past 1 year before you lodge your visa application.

Under visa 485, you can stay in Australia for 2-5 years depending on your degree and nationality. However, if you undertook and completed at least  2 years of study in a ‘Regional Area’ such as the Gold Coast, Adelaide or Perth, you can be eligible for an additional 1 or 2 years of the 485 Visa Thus, you will have more time to prepare yourself for permanent residence (PR) or a temporary visa that can lead to a PR.    

Step 2: Apply for a PR or a visa that can lead to a PR  

There are plenty of pathways that can help you migrate to Australia after you have completed an accredited secondary teaching course in Australia. Below are the common options:  

Skilled visas     

  • 189 – Skilled Independent (subclass 189) – is a points-tested visa, allowing you to live and work permanently in any state or territory in Australia. The minimum score that you are required to be considered for a visa invitation is 65, but you may need a higher score to increase your chance of getting an invite.   
  • 190 – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) – is a permanent residence visa but you need a nomination from one of Australian states or territories to apply for this visa. Each state may have its own occupation list and additional requirements, so you must investigate if you meet all the state’s eligibility criteria before asking for a nomination. 
  • 491 – Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) is not permanent, but it can lead to a PR (visa 191). You must commit to stay and work in your nominating regional Australia for a minimal period of time and achieve at least 65 points to be apply for this visa.     

 

Employer Sponsored visas    

Contact SOL Edu today at [email protected] to know which visa option is best for you!  

 

FAQs

What is secondary education in Australia?

Secondary education in Australia encompasses Grades 7 to 12 and is designed to provide a more specialised and in-depth curriculum compared to primary education. Here are some key points about secondary education in Australia: 

  • Age Group: Secondary education generally caters to students aged approximately 12 to 18 years. 
  • Curriculum: The secondary curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, science, English, history, geography, languages, and more. Students typically have the opportunity to select elective subjects in addition to core subjects. 
  • Year Levels: Secondary education is divided into two stages: 
  • Junior Secondary: Grades 7 to 10, where students follow a broad curriculum to build foundational knowledge and skills. 
  • Senior Secondary: Grades 11 and 12, where students can choose a more specialized course of study, often leading to the attainment of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent qualification. 

What qualifications do you need to be a secondary school teacher in Australia?

In order to pursue a career as a secondary school teacher, you must undergo a minimum of four years of higher education at an accredited university or tertiary institution. This educational journey should encompass the completion of a certified teacher education program and an adequate study on the subject(s) you intend to teach. 

How much does it cost to study Secondary Education courses in Australia?

The tuition fees for primary education courses for international students can vary widely depending on the university and the level of the program (undergraduate or postgraduate). On average, you can expect to pay between AUD 25,000 to AUD 45,000 per year for a primary education course. Tuition fees at prestigious universities (for example at Group of 8 universities) are usually higher than low ranking universities.  

How long does it take to complete a bachelor of secondary education in Australia?

A Bachelor of Secondary Education typically takes four years of full-time study to complete. This duration allows for a comprehensive education that includes both theoretical coursework and practical teaching experience. 

What is graduate diploma of education secondary in Australia?

In Australia, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) is a postgraduate qualification designed to prepare individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject area to become secondary school teachers. This program is intended for individuals who wish to transition into a teaching career, particularly at the secondary school level (Grades 7 to 12). 

What is entry requirement for a graduate diploma of education (secondary)?

To enroll in a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), you typically need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area. The program is often open to graduates from various academic backgrounds, but the subject you want to teach should align with your previous degree. Normally, your bachelor’s degree should be eligible for at least 2 teaching areas, however, please note that the course pre-requisites may differ between universities. Contact us to learn more. 

 

Applicants from a non-English speaking background must have successfully completed the IELTS examination with a minimum overall score of 7.5, which includes a minimum score of 8.0 in Speaking and Listening and a minimum score of 7.0 in Reading and Writing. 

What is the LANTITE test?

The LANTITE test, which stands for Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education, is an assessment used in Australia to evaluate the literacy and numeracy skills of individuals who are pursuing or have completed teacher education programs. The test is a requirement for teacher education students and graduates who want to become registered teachers in Australia. 

 

Interested in studying Education (Secondary) in Australia?

Contact SOL Edu, one of the best education agencies in Brisbane today for free counselling, and a free application process! 

 

Do I need to take LANTITE test?

Yes, you are required to take the LANTITE test to become a registered teacher in Australia. Normally, universities in Australia require students to pass this test before graduation.  

 

What is the expected salary of a Secondary Teacher in Australia?

The medium base annual salary for a graduate secondary teacher is AU$73,629 (Statistics from Teach Queensland).  

 

Is it easy to get a PR after finishing an accredited Secondary Education course in Australia?

Because Secondary School Teacher is listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), there are multiple visa options for international students to migrate to Australia. You can apply for 189, 190, 491, 186 or 494 visa.