Australian aspiring teachers now have the opportunity to apply for scholarships worth slightly more than USD 260,000. This facility is expected to materialise with the next round of the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship Program, which has already been opened to 2026 starters.
It’s the 3rd year of the government’s USD 105m scheme, which offers 5,000 scholarships, spanning a period of 5 years. So far, almost 40%, which translates to a quantum of 2,000 students, have signed in. Around 30% of this quantum, which is nearing 600, originates from rural, regional, or remote communities.
The program is targeted at high-achieving school leavers, besides midcareer changers. The program specifically targets students from under-represented backgrounds, such as First Nation students, students with special needs, students from low-income families, and students who speak English as a supplementary language.
Undergraduates can receive up to a little over USD 26,000 in financial support. Meanwhile, postgraduates can receive a little over USD 13,000 to complete an accredited teaching degree. To be eligible, recipients need to commit to teaching in a government school or even opt for teaching in an early learning setting for a duration of 2–4 years once they graduate.
The scheme sits under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan. It is designed to shore up teacher supply at a time when schools nationwide are grappling with the issue of staff shortages.
Commenting on this scenario, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said in a statement that ‘being a teacher is the most important job in the world, which is being deprived of sufficient quantities in meeting the needs of the profession. So what was expected was for more young people to leap out of high school and pursue a career in teaching.’
‘That’s what’s expected from these scholarships,’ said Claire. He went on to add that part of the plan was to tackle the teacher workforce shortage. It also intends to build on the reforms to teacher training and the Commonwealth Prac Payment for teaching students.
Australia’s peak teachers’ union welcomed this announcement, saying the continuation of the program renders important recognition of the urgent need to attract teachers. This was especially true in public schools and early learning settings, where the shortages were most severe.
Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president, Correna Haythorpe, said in a statement that ‘these scholarships are a positive besides practical investment in developing the teaching profession.
Haythorpe went on to state that at a time when public schools are facing a chronic workforce crisis, financial support for teaching students is vital, especially so for those from under-represented backgrounds.
Haythorpe had added that it was important to note that the scholarships come with a commitment to teach in public schools, besides early learning settings.
Haythorpe was also quoted as saying that this ensures that public education, being the place where the vast majority of Australian children learn, tends to benefit directly from this investment.
She further asserted that a single initiative cannot resolve the teacher shortage. So this program becomes an important part of the broader National Teacher Workforce Action Plan. The focus should remain on public settings, as the need tends to be greatest where scholarships are likely to have the biggest impact.
The AEU noted that almost 2,000 teaching students had already received scholarships in the first two rounds. This represented strong participation from regional and rural, as well as remote, communities. The union had added that such activity demonstrates the demand for targeted financial support and the importance of continuing programmes that remove barriers to entering the profession.
Haythorpe was quoted as having also said that public schools are experiencing acute shortages in every state and territory. As such, teachers were compelled to work longer hours and manage escalating needs, besides face intensifying pressure.
