Primary teaching

A degree in primary education is the typical tertiary qualification for work in Australian primary schools, where graduates may find employment as classroom teachers, executive teachers, principals and assistant principals. Depending on individual schools, roles may also exist for support teachers for children with learning difficulties, English-language specialists (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and teachers of gifted and talented children.

In NSW and other Australian states, prospective primary-school teachers usually need to be qualified to teach in a range of key learning areas (KLAs). Primary-school teachers would normally be required to complete university studies in: education as a social science; professional and curriculum studies (teaching methodology); and in at least three of the six categories below.

• English
  
  
• mathematics
  
  
• science (for example, biology, physics, chemistry, geology)
  
  
• social sciences
  
  
• expressive arts (for example, art, drama, music, physical education)
  
  
• psychology, education, special education, a language, English as a second language (ESL), computer studies, media studies, library science.
  
  

Degree pathways in primary-school teaching

Two study pathways at the University of Sydney result in a primary-school teaching qualification.