Education and training
What to expect
Getting a degree in education and training
What to expect
Most people who study education and training want to become teachers. Teaching is often seen as a ‘safe job’ but don't forget to consider what it actually involves.
Teaching can be very rewarding, then extremely challenging, and rewarding again within a matter of minutes. Working directly with children and young adults is the main focus of teaching, so it's important to know you can relate to them and enjoy their company.
Getting a degree in education and training
Visit the University Ratings section for education and training course ratings.
Courses and specialisations
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Aboriginal education |
Adult education |
Adventure education |
Anangu education |
ATSI education |
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Careers education |
Coach education |
Community education |
Curriculum studies |
Accounting |
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Administration |
Adult |
Arts |
Biology |
Business |
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Chemistry |
Computing |
Dance |
Drama |
Early childhood |
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Economics |
English |
ESL |
Geography |
Geology |
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Gifted |
Health |
History |
Home economics |
Human movement |
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Infant |
Junior primary |
Languages |
Literature |
Manual arts |
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Mathematics |
Media |
Music |
Outdoor |
Physical |
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Pre-school |
Primary |
Religion |
Science |
Secondary |
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Social science |
Technology |
Education management |
Educational counselling |
Extension education |
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Human resource development |
Montessori education |
Rudolf Steiner education |
Special education |
Teaching |
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Technical and further education |
Training and development |
Vocational education |
Which course is for you?
Most education and training courses lead into an area of school teaching that focuses on either a particular group of students (e.g. primary, early childhood), a particular subject (e.g. English, information technology, or science), or a particular aspect of teaching (librarianship, special education, etc.).
Each type of education degree will have similar elements at most institutions; there will certainly be similarities between various primary education courses, as well as secondary courses, although in these, individual students learn to teach different ‘methods’.
Getting in
While in years past the cut-off scores for education and teaching courses were often very low, demand and scores have risen, making entry-difficulty moderate to high at some institutions and campuses.
Some courses are available to part-timers and a few by distance education.
Where to study
Education and training is one of the biggest fields of study in the country. You can study an education course at a university almost anywhere across the country.
What to look for
Make sure any teaching or education course you consider meets the registration requirements for the state, sector and subject areas you wish to work in. Most states and territories have a body that regulates the qualifications and experience required to be a teacher (in addition, a draft for a national standards framework and registration process is being investigated by the state and territories).
Some universities do a good job of preparing you for the practical realities of the classroom and some are more theory-based. Use university handbooks, subject descriptions and calendars to check out both the kinds of education and training courses they offer and the amount of practical experience built into teaching courses — there should be plenty of it.
Not only should practical placements exist for trainee teachers, but adequate administration support should be provided to obtain them. Practical placements are increasingly difficult to come by.
Careers for education degree graduates
Teachers can work in all kinds of schools: primary, secondary, government, independent, Catholic. New graduates are not all that satisfied with their courses but starting salaries have risen to an average of nearly $48,822, even if they do rise slowly thereafter. The prospects for career progression, including at a coordinator or school principal level are high, particularly due to the number of workers approaching retirement age (the median age of secondary teachers is 43), and the demand for school principals in some areas. The graduate unemployment rate is above average, sitting at 21 per cent in 2009.
There is a widespread perception of a drastic and general teacher shortage; in reality, teaching shortages can be more specific. Shortages exist predominantly in rural and outer urban areas and in the key subject areas of maths and science.
Bear in mind that sometimes new teachers find it difficult to find employment in popular locations, such as the inner city and well-known schools, or in popular methods. Support for new teachers in the workforce is also topical. Many argue that increased funding and resources, such as professional development and mentoring, is needed for new graduates, however, the amount of support can vary greatly between employers.
For more information
Depending on your interests, courses in the following fields may appeal: communications , health services and support , humanities and social sciences , psychology , the sciences , and social work .
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