Secondary School Teacher
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$116,500
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Teaches one or more subjects within a prescribed curriculum to secondary school students, and promotes students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.
Scope note: Special Education Teachers are excluded from this occupation. Special Education Teachers are included in Occupation 251431 Special Education Teacher.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Delivers differentiated learning programs in one or more subjects to secondary school students
- Employs effective classroom management skills to maintain a safe, supportive and positive learning environment
- Develops students' interests, abilities and coordination by way of creative activities
- Guides discussions and supervises work in class
- Prepares, administers and marks tests, projects and assignments to evaluate students' progress, and records the results
- Discusses individuals' progress with students and parents, and prepares written reports on a regular basis
- Seeks advice from School Counsellors and senior teachers
- Participates in staff meetings, educational conferences and workshops
- Liaises with parents, the community and business groups
- Participates in extra-curricular activities such as sport, school concerts, excursions and special interest programs
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.
Official VET pathways
Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
WA · May 2026
0
ACT · May 2026
0
QLD · May 2026
1
TAS · May 2026
0
SA · May 2026
1
NSW · May 2026
0
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+6%
64 projected jobs
to 2035
+12%
138 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Secondary School Teacher.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Australian Capital Territory
162 estimated employed
- 1
Australian Capital Territory
162 employed
ACT
+0.62%
year on year
- 2
Adelaide - North
120 employed
SA
+25%
year on year
- 3
Brisbane Inner City
102 employed
QLD
+137.21%
year on year
- 4
Gold Coast
100 employed
QLD
+132.56%
year on year
- 5
Adelaide - South
97 employed
SA
+18.29%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
10,310
Moved in from another occupation
1,300
Moved to another occupation
1,110
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 251331
- Last updated
- 2026-01-23
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2025 Shortage List + ABS EEH May 2025
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).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: verified.