The fastest way to become a teacher
Whether you've always dreamt of pursuing a career in education, or the lure of 12 weeks of paid holidays has got you contemplating a career change, here's the quickest way to become a teacher. Spoiler alert: you can fast-track your degree.
There are many different types of teachers and many avenues for becoming one—all of which involve becoming a student first. Luckily, this is made available to everyone through Open Universities Australia.
Whether you’ve received the ATAR required for a teaching degree or not, an Open Universities Australia student advisor can find a unique pathway to help you qualify for and start working toward a teaching degree, and determine which pathway is the quickest for you.
How long does it normally take to become a teacher in Australia?
To register as a primary school teacher in your state or territory you generally will enrol into a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education) or a Master of Teaching (Primary Education). For secondary education, you will need a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) or a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education).
A Bachelor of Education will take 4 years of full time study (or part time equivalent), while a Master of Teaching will take 2. You can apply directly into these qualifications, however there are also other study options if you don’t have a strong academic history or want to fast-track your degree, including a one-year teaching degree.
The quickest way to get a teaching degree
The fastest way to qualify as a teacher depends on a few factors. Some things to consider include:
- Have you got previous study experience?
- What qualifications do you have in other disciplines?
- What type of study or work experience do you have?
- What is your availability to study?
Regardless, it won't be long before you make your teaching debut. Which of the below applies to you?
If you’re studying for the first time:
- Fast-track your Bachelor of Education by studying on campus but taking a few extra subjects online through Open Universities Australia.
- Alternatively, study online subjects over summer while everyone else is taking a break
Taking on this extra workload requires more availability and dedication, so make sure you are prepared and always know that you can talk to a student advisor if you need to adjust your study load.
If you already have a qualification in another discipline and want to switch careers:
- Enrol in a Master of Teaching (2 years)
- Fast-track your Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching by studying online subjects over summer or taking extra subjects online while studying on campus
- Reduce your study load and course duration by applying for recognition of prior learning
- Earn an accelerated Graduate Diploma in Education. These intensive teaching courses let you qualify to become a teacher in one year with a full-time study load.
A breakdown of your options:
| No ATAR or have an ATAR below 70 | Have an ATAR of 70 or above but no previous higher education | Have completed a Bachelor Degree in any discipline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer subjects | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recognition of prior learning | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| On-campus study with extra subjects online | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-year accelerated diploma in education | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Single subjects pathway into degree | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Considering a one-year teaching degree?
This is the absolute fastest way to become a teacher, however these intensive teaching courses often come with stricter entry requirements and caveats. For example, you may only become qualified to teach in a particular state or territory.
There are two accelerated courses available through Open Universities Australia—one for primary education and another for secondary—through Curtin University, both of which qualify you to teach in Western Australia. Make sure you read up on the degree thoroughly to ensure you are enrolling in the right course for you.
If you’re still deciding if teaching is the right career for you, here’s a breakdown of the benefits, opportunities, and experiences you’ll come across throughout a teaching career.
Book a call with a student advisor to discover your options and start exploring online teaching courses here.
