Teach For Australia launches new undergraduate employment-based teaching pathway to empower more diverse educators

National education charity, Teach For Australia (TFA), has today announced the launch of a new and innovative undergraduate teaching pathway, aimed at bringing more diverse and talented individuals into classrooms across Australia.

The initiative follows TFA’s recent selection as the successful recipient of the federal government’s High Achieving Teachers (HAT) Program pilot expansion.

In a bid to increase teacher supply and foster greater diversity, the undergraduate stream aims to recruit, train and support more educational support staff, First Nations people, individuals with disability, and those living in rural, regional and remote locations into teaching.

Teach For Australia Founder and CEO, Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM, said the new offering builds on the success of TFA’s Leadership Development Program, Australia’s pioneering employment-based postgraduate teaching pathway.

“Amidst chronic teacher shortages, particularly in hard-to-staff locations, today’s announcement marks a significant step towards creating more teaching opportunities, adding much-needed diversity to the teaching workforce to further enhance student outcomes,” Ms Potts Rosevear said.

“With 15 years’ experience, TFA has successfully recruited, trained, mentored and supported over 1600 high-calibre individuals into classrooms where they’re needed most.

“By leveraging our relationships with more than 290 schools in areas experiencing disadvantage and demonstrating high teacher retention rates, TFA is well-positioned to attract and nurture talented undergraduates who share a moral purpose for educational equity.”

In a new partnership with Charles Darwin University, the undergraduate program will start with a small cohort of up to 10 in 2025. The participants will complete a Bachelor of Education Secondary while earning a wage at one of TFA’s partner schools, all with wrap-around support from experienced coaches.

From cohort 2025, participants will be placed in a couple of jurisdictions, with plans to expand the program from 2026.

In addition to introducing an undergraduate pathway, TFA will further refine its postgraduate program in 2026 to further reduce barriers for professional career changers. These improvements include offering part-time employment and training, as well as a three-year part-time study option while teaching.

“We’ve carefully considered the needs of career-changers who may be balancing caring responsibilities and financial obligations, offering a more flexible and sustainable transition into teaching,” Ms Potts Rosevear continued.

“These enhancements ensure that the quality of the program remains uncompromised. Participants will continue to benefit from the wrap-around support, first-class training, a rewarding ‘earn and learn’ pathway, and the valuable hands-on experience that Teach For Australia is renowned for.

“We believe that introducing an undergraduate employment-based pathway, along with the refinements to our flagship postgraduate program, will not only enhance the quality of education for more students nationwide, but will also inspire a new generation of teachers and leaders.”

Media contact
Saraya Musovic, TFA Media and External Affairs Manager
0407 091 383 | mailto:saraya.musovic@teachforaustralia.org