Did you know the education sector is one of Australia’s biggest employers? Within the education statistics Australia produces, there is a multitude of stories, journeys and careers – far too many to highlight here, of course!
However, whether you’re a teacher, support staffer, or looking to step into the industry, it’s good to know the lay of the land. We’ve pulled together the latest stats to give you a snapshot of education job trends in Australia. Let’s go.
A Growing Sector
Education and training now employ around 1.25 million people in Australia, making up 8.6% of the total workforce. That’s a lot of classrooms, lecture halls, and early learning centres!
Even better, the sector added over 50,000 new jobs last year alone, showing solid, long-term growth.
Education Jobs Breakdown: Who’s Doing What?
Here’s how the workforce numbers break down within the sector:
Primary and Secondary School Education: 647,000 workers (the biggest slice of the pie)
Tertiary Education: 262,200 workers
Adult & Community Education: 238,900 workers
Preschool/Early Education: 99,400 workers
Educational Support Services: 9,000 workers
That’s a healthy amount of teaching job opportunities spanning every stage of learning, from early childhood to higher ed.
Who Makes Up the Education Workforce?
Education is one of the most female-dominated sectors out there. A notable 72% of workers are women. Meanwhile, the median age of educators is 42, just a bit older than the average Aussie worker (39), reflecting the value of experience in the profession.
If you’re thinking about the level of flexibility in teaching jobs, consider this: about 39% of educators work part-time. It’s definitely a sector that allows people to balance other commitments with work.
How’s the Pay for Teaching Jobs?
However you might feel about pay for education jobs, the fact is that the sector tends to pay above the national average in Australia.
Median weekly earnings for education jobs: $2,066 (compared to $1,975.80 across all sectors).
Secondary school teachers: $2,166 per week full-time, with an hourly rate of around $58.
That said, we all know teachers earn every cent of that with their dedication and long hours. Secondary teachers, for example, average 45 hours a week.
Zooming In: The Teacher Workforce
There are about 515,000 registered teachers in Australia, spanning schools, early learning, and even those keeping up registration while working elsewhere.
Of those actively teaching:
61% are classroom teachers
19% are middle leaders
10% are senior leaders
10% are casual/relief teachers
When it comes to where they work:
65% are in government schools
17% in Catholic schools
18% in independent schools
The Shift to Full-Time Education Roles
One trend worth noting: full-time teaching jobs are on the rise in Australia. Between 2021–22, about 71-72% of teachers were working full-time, up from just over 50% in 2018. Secondary school teachers have a particularly high rate of full-time work (78%).
In tertiary education, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) tenurial staff increased by 6.8% from 2023 to 2024, and by 22.9% since 2015. (For added context, higher education staff numbers also increased 5.6% between 2023 to 2024, from around 98,700 to over 104,000.)
This reflects growing stability in the sector and changing workforce needs.
Talent Shortages & Solutions for Education Recruitment Challenges
Teacher shortages have been a hot topic in recent years (we should know!), sparking plenty of headlines and headaches for education leaders.
There are signs of a turnaround however, as prolonged shortages have prompted government action and new incentives:
7% increase in applications for teaching degrees since 2024
14% increase in university admission offers since 2024
Governments are also rolling out support like:
Pay rises for Early Childhood Education workers
Workload reduction initiatives
Scholarships of up to $40,000
Financial help during student placements
Who’s Hiring?
The biggest education roles by headcount include:
Primary School Teachers
Secondary School Teachers
Education Aides
University Lecturers & Tutors
Child Carers
Private Tutors & Teachers
Early Childhood Teachers
School Principals
Where Are the Education Jobs?
If you’re curious about geography, here’s where most school teachers are based:
New South Wales: 32.8% Secondary Teachers, 31.1% Primary Teachers
Victoria: 27.5% Secondary Teachers, 25% Primary Teachers
Queensland: 19.1% Secondary Teachers, 19.6% Primary Teachers
(Not surprisingly, the bigger the population, the bigger the demand.)
The Final Take
Australia’s education sector remains a bedrock of the country, while offering a rewarding career path with good pay, flexibility, and plenty of room to grow. The challenges faced by the sector aren’t likely to disappear overnight, but recent data suggests a more positive outlook ahead.
Whether you’re hunting for teaching jobs, hiring teachers, or just curious, we hope these facts and figures help you feel a little more informed and inspired.
Talk to an Education Recruitment Specialist
If you’re considering your next career move as a teacher, or looking to hire an educator, our education recruitment specialists here to help. Whether you need tailored advice on available teaching opportunities or support with building your team, Inspired Recruitment speaks your language. Get in touch with our Sydney or Melbourne team to find your next teaching job today.