Master of Teaching in Australia: A Two-Year Route into Teaching for Graduates

TL;DR: A Master of Teaching in Australia is a two-year graduate-entry course that trains you to teach in primary, secondary or early childhood settings, even if your first degree was in another field. You need a bachelor's degree with enough study in the subjects you want to teach, you must pass the national literacy and numeracy test before you graduate, and to register as a teacher most authorities ask for IELTS Academic 7.5 overall.

Many graduates in science, maths, English or business reach a point where they want to teach. Australia has a clear route for that, and teachers are in demand across the country. Education ministers agreed a National Teacher Workforce Action Plan because schools were struggling to fill roles. For a graduate weighing up a Master of Teaching in Australia, the questions are practical: will my degree qualify, how long does it take, and what do I need to register at the end?

Wondering whether your degree subjects count as teaching areas? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

What a Master of Teaching is

Every course that qualifies you to teach in Australia must be accredited against national standards set through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). For graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree, the accredited route is a two-year full-time master's.

You choose a stream when you apply:

Universities such as the University of Melbourne, Monash University and UNSW Sydney offer graduate-entry Master of Teaching courses. Entry rules differ, so check the course page for the stream you want.

Not sure which subjects your degree would let you teach in Australian schools?

Check your eligibility ›

Who can apply: teaching areas explained

The secondary stream is where most applications succeed or stall. A teaching area is a school subject you are qualified to teach, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, English or business studies. Universities check your transcript to see whether you studied enough of that subject at university level.

A chemistry graduate usually has one clear teaching area. Someone with a general science degree may have two, such as chemistry and biology. A business graduate may qualify for business studies or economics but not maths, unless their degree included enough maths units.

This is the step most applicants skip. They apply for the course and only find out later which subjects they can teach. Ask the university to assess your teaching areas before you accept an offer, so you know what you will be able to teach in Australian schools.

What happens during the course

Placements. Graduate-entry courses include at least 60 days of supervised teaching in schools or early learning centres. Before your first placement you need a Working with Children Check in the state where you study.

LANTITE. The Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education checks that teachers are in the top 30 percent of the adult population for personal literacy and numeracy. You must pass both parts before you graduate. Most students sit it during the first year.

Workload. A two-year master's with placements is demanding. Student visa work limits apply outside placements: see our guide to Australia student visa work hours.

After you graduate: registration and English

To teach, you register with the teacher authority in your state, for example NESA in New South Wales, the Victorian Institute of Teaching or the Queensland College of Teachers.

Teacher registration has its own English standard, separate from the student visa. Most authorities ask for IELTS Academic with at least 7.5 overall, 8 in speaking and listening, and 7 in reading and writing, unless you completed enough of your study in English in a recognised country. This is higher than many universities ask for entry. Plan for the registration score from the start, not the entry score.

After graduating, many students apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows full-time work for a set period.

Is a Master of Teaching right for you?

It suits you if you want a structured, accredited path into a profession with steady demand, and you are ready for two years of study and classroom placements. It suits you less if you want a one-year master's or plan to teach a subject your degree does not cover. If you want a different route into Australia with a similar structure, see our guide to the Master of Professional Accounting.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• Sri Lankan degree transcripts should list each subject and its credit value, so the university can assess your teaching areas.
• Book IELTS or another accepted test in Colombo early, and aim for the registration score of 7.5 rather than the entry score.
• Your Working with Children Check is done after you arrive in Australia, before your first placement.

FAQ

How long is a Master of Teaching in Australia?
Two years full-time. That is the length set for graduate-entry courses under the national accreditation standards.

Can I do a Master of Teaching with a degree in another field?
Yes. That is what the course is designed for. For secondary teaching, your degree must include enough study in the subjects you want to teach.

What is the LANTITE?
The Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education. You must pass both the literacy and numeracy parts before you graduate.

What IELTS score do I need to register as a teacher in Australia?
Most teacher authorities ask for IELTS Academic 7.5 overall, with 8 in speaking and listening and 7 in reading and writing. Check your state authority's current rules.

Do I need a Working with Children Check?
Yes, before your first school placement. You apply in the state or territory where you study.

PS: The right time to check your teaching areas is before you apply, not after your first placement. If you want a view on which subjects your degree could let you teach in Australia, check your eligibility with Prosper.

Check your eligibility ›