Thinking About a Career Change to Teaching?

June 1, 2025

With ongoing teacher shortages across Australia, now is an opportune time to explore a career in education.

Whether you’re transitioning from another industry or a recent graduate exploring options, teaching offers a meaningful pathway where your skills can make a significant impact.

At EDU Talent, we are committed to supporting the future of education.

Our goal is to equip aspiring teachers with essential information, particularly regarding salary, career pathways, and school system requirements, to help you make informed decisions during your transition into this vital profession.

Here are practical steps and tools we provide to support your teaching journey.

Start With Your Why

Before applying or enrolling in further study, take time to reflect on your motivations:

Why do you want to teach?
What do you hope to contribute to the classroom?
What kind of school environment aligns with your values?

Clarifying your purpose will guide your career choices and help you stay focused during periods of change.

Understand Teaching Salaries

Career transitions often come with uncertainty, especially regarding salary.

That’s why EDU Talent offers free access to our Teacher Payscale Report, providing insights into current earnings across different systems, sectors, and experience levels.

Understanding your future earning potential is crucial for making confident, informed decisions about your next steps.

Know the Accreditation & Study Pathways

If you’re considering teaching in a Catholic school, it’s essential to understand the religious accreditation requirements from the outset. These typically include:

A recognised teaching qualification (e.g. Master of Teaching or equivalent)
A number of religious education unit from a Catholic university
A commitment to being a practising Catholic

Over the years, many primary teacher graduates have shared with us.

They completed their teaching degrees through Catholic universities like Australian Catholic University, and met all curriculum requirements, including Catholic Studies. However, they were unaware of the final, and often critical, requirement: maintaining a commitment to being a practising Catholic.

It’s worth noting that what constitutes a practising Catholic can vary by Diocese. For example:

Some require only that you are baptised Catholic
Others ask for a Parish Priest reference, who can commit on your ongoing commitment
It should be noted, that in certain regional areas, religious education may be team-taught, especially where staffing challenges exist

Unfortunately, this information is often communicated only during the recruitment phase for a permanent Catholic school position, not at the beginning of a teaching degree. At EDU Talent, we believe knowledge is key.

Understanding these expectations early on can prevent future roadblocks and ensure you’re prepared for the roles you’re targeting.

Important: This requirement only applies if you intend to teach religious education. If you’re planning to teach a subject like Mathematics or Science in a secondary Catholic school, this does not apply.

Transferable Skills Are Your Superpower

Do you have a background in STEM, trades, languages, sport, or business? These skill sets are in high demand—particularly for:

TAS (Technological and Applied Studies) / Design & Technology
Industrial Timber
PDHPE and sport-related roles
Languages or EAL/D programs

Many schools welcome career-changers who bring real-world experience, especially in specialist areas. Your existing skill set could be the perfect foundation for a successful teaching career.

Get Classroom-Ready

If you’re unsure whether teaching is the right fit, consider gaining experience by volunteering or working casually in a Classroom Learning Support role. These opportunities allow you to:

Observe school culture and teaching styles
Learn how classroom practices have evolved
Make a confident and informed commitment to the profession

At EDU Talent, we can connect you with schools that are open to supporting professionals transitioning into classroom-based roles.

✅ Take the First Step with EDU Talent

At EDU Talent, we are more than recruiters, we are advocates for educators. We believe in transparency, integrity, and coordination in every stage of your career journey.

Ready to explore teaching further? Download your free Teacher Payscale Report and take your first step with confidence.