Under Phase 2 of the High Achieving Teachers Program Expansion Pilots, ten providers offer employment-based pathways into teaching. Each pilot program supports aspiring teachers across different regions and educational settings.
On this page:
University of Canberra
School-based Teacher Education Program (STEP)
University of Canberra’s STEP addresses key barriers for mid-career professionals in transitioning to a teaching career, by providing scholarship funding, paid employment in schools and a tailored learning experience as they study a Master of Primary or Master of Secondary Teaching degree. Program participants will be employed in local ACT schools as Learning Support Assistants in the first year of their degree and as teachers under a Permit to Teach in their second year.
Contact: UCSTEP@canberra.edu.au
Further Information: UC STEP - University of Canberra
Charles Sturt University
Aspire to Teach
Charles Sturt University's Aspire to Teach Program is an employment-based pathway for school or student support staff to become fully qualified to teach in either primary or secondary schools. The scholarship is open to those working in a school or student support role at an Eligible Placement School in New South Wales, Northern Territory or Tasmania.
Contact: aspiretoteach@csu.edu.au
Further information: Aspire to Teach Program
Teach For Australia
Make Inspiring Your Day Job
Teach For Australia’s pilot program offers a new Undergraduate Teaching Program alongside its updated, postgraduate Leadership Development Program. Both employment-based pathways will identify, train and support high potential candidates to teach in secondary schools in areas facing disadvantage across multiple states and territories.
Contact: apply@teachforaustralia.org
Further information: Undergraduate Teaching Program, Leadership Development Program
Western Sydney University
Pilot program
The program aims to develop primary and secondary teachers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds who can work in schools identified as hardest to staff in Greater Western Sydney. A bursary per year of study (Master of Teaching Primary, Secondary or STEM) will be provided to support participants during their studies. Participants will be supported to take up opportunities for paid employment-based professional experience once conditionally accredited with NSW Education Standards Authority
Contact: HATeducation@westernsydney.edu.au
Further Information: High Achieving Teachers at Western Sydney University
Australian Catholic University Limited
All Points to Teaching (APTT)
Australian Catholic University’s APTT program is an employment-based pathway to teaching which offers students a fully funded scholarship to complete a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), a Bachelor of Education (Secondary and Special Education), or a Master of Teaching (Secondary), whilst working in schools across New South Wales and Queensland. APTT aims to bring higher education to teaching students in their own communities, connecting their learning to the school workplace.
Contact: APTT@acu.edu.au
Further Information: All Points to Teaching (APTT) | ACU
University of South Australia
Teaching Futures Pathway
The Teaching Futures Pathway is a program conducted by the University of South Australia’s Education Futures Academy (EFA) on behalf of the South Australian Deans of Education. The Pathway enhances existing Master of Teaching programs at each of South Australia’s universities by supporting outstanding candidates to transition from other careers while being deeply immersed in school environments.
Contact: FAQ Landing - Study at UniSA - University of South Australia
Further Information: Teaching Futures Pathway
University of Tasmania
Tasmanian Apprenticeship Model of Initial Teacher Education
The University of Tasmania offers an employment-based pathway designed to attract professionals and recent graduates into the teaching profession. Program Participants gain hands-on teaching experience in Tasmanian public schools while completing a Master of Teaching (Primary or Secondary).
Places will be offered at the University of Tasmania from 2026.
Further Information: Education pathways
Queensland University of Technology
Employing Queensland: Innovative Pathways to Teaching (EQuIPT)
EQuIPT aims to address teacher shortages in regional, rural, and remote Queensland schools by leveraging employment-based pathways into teaching. The program integrates employment pathways with coursework and localised support, enabling participants to earn while they learn and prepare for the profession's complexities.
Starting with two Hub sites in 2025, the program will expand to five sites across Queensland by 2027, supporting around 90 beginning teachers to enter the profession.
Contact: equipt@qut.edu.au
Further information: Employing Queensland: Innovative Pathways to Teaching (EQuIPT) program
Edith Cowan University
HAT@ECU
HAT@ECU offers an employment-based pathway to a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood, Primary, or Secondary Education. The program supports individuals with non-teaching degrees to transition into the teaching profession. Participants gain practical experience in one of ECU’s partnership schools while studying, with coursework structured around the Western Australian school terms.
Contact: hat@ecu.edu.au
Further information: High Achieving Teachers Program HAT@ECU
La Trobe University
Nexus Postgraduate (Nexus-P)
For career changers, Nexus offers La Trobe’s Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary) to gain practical experience in a school setting. Students will receive a paid salary, and benefit from extensive mentor support. The program is available in Victoria and New South Wales.
Contact: University contacts, La Trobe University
Further information: Nexus Teaching Program