What qualifications do you need to be a primary school teacher in NSW?
Primary-school teachers are required to complete university studies in: education as a social science; professional and curriculum studies (teaching methodology); and in at least three of the six categories below.
- English
- Mathematics
- Science (for example, biology, physics, chemistry, geology)
- Social sciences
- Expressive arts (for example, art, drama, music, physical education)
- Psychology, education, special education, a language, English as a second language (ESL), computer studies, media studies, library science.
What qualifications do you need to be a high school teacher in NSW?
To practice as a high school teacher, you are required to complete an accredited 4 year teaching degree, including the required amount of study in the subject/s you intend to teach, for example, English.
Appropriate degrees include a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), or a combined or double degree such as a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary).
OR
Complete an undergraduate degree (such as a Bachelor of Arts or Science) and then complete an accredited graduate entry teaching degree such as a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary).
What to consider when picking a course:
Future teachers will need to meet increased academic standards to study an accredited undergraduate teaching degree in NSW.
This means that from 2016, a minimum standard of three Band 5 HSC results, including one in English, applies to undertaking an accredited undergraduate teaching degree.
So, to study teaching you will need to:
- Achieve at least three Band 5 HSC results, including one in English OR
- Pass bridging units benchmarked to a Band 5 HSC result OR
- Enrol in an accredited double degree and pass a full year of academic studies in the subjects you will teach OR
- Complete a BOSTES approved alternative entry pathway as advised by your prospective university.
Want to know if teaching is for you? Read, “Working as a primary school teacher: What I wish I knew”.