School Principal
Shortage Now
JSA currently reports no national or state/territory shortage signal for this occupation.
Snapshot
Median salary
Not available
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the educational and administrative aspects of schools, including physical and human resources.
Scope note: Assistant School Principals and deputy school principals are excluded from this occupation. Assistant School Principals and deputy school principals are included in Occupation 141131 Assistant School Principal.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Establishes and maintains organisational structures that support the achievement of a school's vision and values
- Ensures the delivery of comprehensive education programs to all students
- Ensures a respectful, safe and productive learning environment for students and teachers
- Implements systems and procedures to monitor and report on a school's performance
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with all members of the school community
- Implements initiatives, practices and priorities of relevant education authorities
- Contributes to the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations
- Manages the selection, professional development and assessment of staff members
- Ensures efficient and effective operations, including the management of finance, people, facilities, risk, compliance and major projects
- May teach students
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
33
ACT · May 2026
2
VIC · May 2026
27
NT · May 2026
2
SA · May 2026
6
NSW · May 2026
29
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+8%
2,418 projected jobs
to 2035
+15%
4,337 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for School Principal.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Illawarra
928 estimated employed
- 1
Illawarra
928 employed
NSW
+7.53%
year on year
- 2
Sydney - Inner South West
888 employed
NSW
-2.09%
year on year
- 3
Sydney - Outer South West
875 employed
NSW
+27.92%
year on year
- 4
Australian Capital Territory
807 employed
ACT
+28.71%
year on year
- 5
New England and North West
762 employed
NSW
+7.78%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
12,480
Moved in from another occupation
1,435
Moved to another occupation
715
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 141132
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List matched via ABS OSCA 2024 v1.0 correspondence Table 2
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
Data confidence: official-profile-and-csol.