How to become a teacher
Five steps to the front of the classroom. It starts with the CASPer test, complete background checks, choose a degree, ace LANTITE and get registered. Whether it’s early childhood, primary or secondary, the next generation’s waiting (no pressure).
If you’re looking into how to become a teacher, you’re probably someone who wants to make a real impact, the kind that lasts long after the bell rings. Because teaching isn’t just about explaining fractions. It’s about showing up, shaping futures and helping others discover what they’re capable of.
At Swinburne, teaching courses are built to support you at any stage - whether you’re just starting out, changing direction or returning to study. You can begin with a nationally recognised TAFE certificate or diploma or enrol in an ITEP-accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
We offer qualifications across early childhood, primary and secondary education. So whatever age group you’re drawn to, there’s a clear path to get qualified.
Every course includes professional classroom placements. You’ll spend time in real schools, learning from experienced teachers and building the confidence that only comes from hands-on experience.
Study also needs to fit around real life. You’ll find flexible full-time, part-time and online options for some courses, plus support to guide you through.
So, how do you become a teacher? In practical terms:
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1. Pass the CASPer test
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2. Complete your background checks
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3. Choose a course
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4. Pass the LANTITE tests
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5. Register with your state's teaching body
Step 1: Complete the CASPer test
To begin your Swinburne teaching course, you’ll need to sit the CASPer test - a requirement for many initial teacher education programs in Victoria.
Don’t stress - this isn’t an academic exam. CASPer focuses on key personal attributes like empathy, communication and resilience, helping assess how you might respond in real-world teaching situations.
Test windows are set throughout the year, so be sure to check the CASPer schedule and choose a date that works for you.
Step 2: Working with Children and Police checks
If you’re planning to work with children, you’ll need to complete a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check. These checks are mandatory for anyone entering education or childcare settings.
They’ll need to stay current throughout your course and must be completed through the relevant authority in your state or territory.
Step 3: Gain an accredited teaching qualification
To become a teacher in Australia, you’ll need a course that ticks the right accreditation boxes. Swinburne’s teaching degrees do just that and are designed to get you classroom-ready, not just theory-heavy.
At a glance
Primary teaching
Swinburne’s Bachelor of Education (Primary), and Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) degrees meet the Initial Teaching Education Program (ITEP).
Early childhood teaching
Our Early Childhood and Early Childhood and Primary degrees are recognised under the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) National Quality Framework.
Professional placements
Every Swinburne teaching degree includes at least four professional placements. That adds up to 80 days of classroom experience, beginning in your first year of study. You’ll build your skills and teaching approach as you go, supported by experienced educators along the way.
Flexible study options
Study options are flexible. You can choose full-time or part-time, depending on what else you’re juggling. We’ll help you shape a study pathway that fits your needs.
Bachelor degrees
If you’re inspired by the wonder of early learning, this degree gives you the skills to guide children from birth to five as they discover the world.
Skills you’ll learn:
- how to support social, emotional, intellectual and physical development
- ways to bring energy and care into kindergartens, preschools and early learning centres
- perspectives in nature play, social justice, sustainability and Indigenous knowledges that you’ll carry into the classroom and pass on to the next generation.
Professional placements:
- four placements totalling about 80 days in early learning settings
- hands-on experience that builds confidence from your first year.
Course details:
- Duration: four years full-time, or part-time equivalent
- Location: Hawthorn campus
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) prepares you to teach primary school–aged children and guide them through some of their most important learning years.
Skills you’ll learn:
- how to design and adapt lessons with contemporary teaching methods and technology
- skills to engage and support diverse learners
- confidence in planning, collaboration and classroom management
Professional placements:
- four placements totalling 80 days in real classrooms
- practical experience that forms part of your teaching accreditation.
Course details:
- duration: four years full-time, or part-time equivalent
- location: Hawthorn campus
Graduate with the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) and you’ll be qualified to teach in both early childhood and primary school settings across Australia.
Skills you’ll learn:
- Skills to work confidently with children from birth through the primary years
- Classroom training that blends theory with practice
- An additional unit in professional practice to strengthen your experience
Professional placements:
- Five placements totalling 91 days of teacher training
- Real-world experience in both early learning and primary school classrooms
Course details:
- Duration: four years full-time, or part-time equivalent
- Location: Hawthorn campus
Pre-study skills development training
If you’d like a confidence boost before starting your Initial Teacher Education course, or some extra preparation for the LANTITE test, the Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation can help you get there.
Postgraduate courses
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching prepares you for roles such as teacher, team leader, coordinator or director, giving you the tools to grow your career and support children and families in meaningful ways.
Skills you’ll learn:
- how to teach, support and care for children from birth to five
- confidence in curriculum design, communication and working closely with families and communities
- specialist study in child play and literacy, creative pedagogy, STEM education and professional practice.
Professional placements:
- 452 hours of supervised experience in early learning settings
- practical training that builds your skills in real classrooms.
Course details:
- Duration: four core units, delivered in a flexible hybrid mode
- Entry: a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, or a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care plus five years of relevant leadership experience.
Additional support:
- fees fully covered if you live in Gippsland, Wellington Shire, Shepparton or Bendigo
- hybrid delivery so you can balance study with work and life
- local support, subsidised materials, VR classroom environments and workplace placements included.
The Master of Teaching (Secondary) gives you the skills, support and accreditation to thrive in secondary teaching, with ITEP accreditation in just two years full-time, or part-time equivalent.
Swinburne’s innovative hybrid delivery model and structured internship in the second year, make this course ideal if you’re a working professional looking to transition into a teaching career.
Skills you’ll learn:
- skills to manage classrooms and create engaging learning experiences
- practical approaches to responsive teaching and curriculum design
- insight into educational research and program development for broader career options.
Professional experience:
- three supervised practicum units to build your teaching confidence.
- by securing yourself a Permission to Teach at Swinburne, you'll have the opportunity to complete a paid internship in your second year, that develops your classroom management, workload planning and ability to maximise student learning.
Course details:
- duration: two years full-time, or part-time equivalent
- structure: 13 core units plus three practicum placements, developed in connection with key industry partners.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in one of the teaching areas below, you can apply for Swinburne’s Master of Teaching (Secondary). This pathway builds on your existing expertise and prepares you to share it in the classroom.
Eligible degrees include:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Psychology
- Health and Physical Education
- Humanities and Social Sciences: Comprising Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History
- Arts: Comprising Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Visual Arts
- Technology: Comprising Design and Technologies, Digital Technologies, Computer Science, Software Engineering and Development, Information Technology.
- Languages
Am I eligible?
Not sure if your bachelor degree will get you into the Master of Teaching (Secondary)? Contact us to talk through your options.
TAFE pathway courses
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is a nationally recognised qualification and free for eligible students. It’s your first step into a career where you’ll play a meaningful role in children’s early learning and development.
Skills you’ll learn:
- how to support play, learning and wellbeing in early childhood settings
- skills in communication, inclusion, diversity and first aid
- confidence to create safe, positive and nurturing environments for children.
Professional experience:
- training across kindergartens, day care and out-of-hours care
- options to study full-time on campus or through a traineeship model.
Course details:
- 15 core units and two electives, covering health and safety, nurturing babies and toddlers, and building respectful relationships
- duration varies depending on study mode.
Pathways:
- move into the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
- continue to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching.
This course is designed to get you job-ready — with practical skills, real experience and the heart to make a difference from day one.
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a nationally recognised qualification and currently free for eligible students. It’s designed for those who want to take their early learning career further, with the skills to plan, lead and create engaging learning environments.
Skills you’ll learn:
- advanced skills in planning, implementing and evaluating learning experiences for children
- strategies for creating inclusive, supportive and stimulating environments
- confidence to take on more responsibility in kindergartens and day care settings.
Professional experience:
- practical training in early learning and care environments
- opportunities to apply what you learn directly with children and families.
Pathways:
- entry into the Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching
- entry into the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary).
This diploma prepares you for a wide range of roles in early childhood settings and sets you up to keep progressing toward a teaching degree if you choose.
Interested in becoming a TAFE teacher or workplace trainer?
To qualify as a TAFE teacher or workplace trainer, you’ll need to complete the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. This nationally recognised course prepares you to share your expertise and support adult learners in vocational and workplace settings.
Study options:
- On-campus training at Hawthorn, full-time over six months or part-time over 12 months
- Fast-track training and assessment course through workplace-based training
Skills you’ll gain:
- The skills to design and deliver training programs
- Experience in assessing competency and supporting learners
- A qualification that opens the door to teaching in TAFE or workplace training environments
Step 4: Pass the LANTITE test
The Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is required for all Australian undergraduate and postgraduate students aiming to become primary or secondary teachers. You’ll need to pass the test to graduate from your degree and to register as a teacher in Australia.
If you’re studying early childhood teaching, you won’t need to complete LANTITE. For everyone else, you can choose to sit the test before you begin your course, or within two years of starting. Swinburne also provides preparation support so you can feel confident when the time comes.
Want the details? Read our LANTITE guide for information on test structure, key dates and tips.
Step 5: Register as a teacher
Before you can step into the classroom as a qualified teacher, you’ll need to register with the teaching body in your state or territory. In Victoria, that means applying through the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
The process is straightforward: you’ll provide proof of your qualifications and complete a national police check as part of your application.
Once you’re registered, the real adventure begins. It’s time to apply for jobs, meet your first class and start shaping futures, one lesson at a time.
Explore teaching courses
Lesson one: explore where teaching can take you.
How long will it take to become a teacher?
Qualify in years. Inspire learners for life.
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TAFE pathway courses
12 months full-time or part-time equivalent
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Postgraduate degrees
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Quick facts about teaching
15,000 annual job growth in early childhood, primary and secondary1
81.7% for quality of teaching education2
81.8% for learning resources3
What skills do teachers need?
Pedagogical and instructional skills:
- curriculum design and lesson planning
- assessment and evaluation techniques
- classroom management and behaviour guidance
- educational technology integration
- special needs accommodation and inclusive practices.
Subject matter expertise and professional knowledge:
- subject-specific expertise relevant to teaching level
- child development and developmental psychology
- education law, ethics, and professional standards
- literacy and numeracy instruction across subjects
- understanding of learning standards and frameworks.
Communication skills:
- clear verbal and written communication
- active listening and empathy
- relationship building with students, families, and colleagues
- cultural competency and sensitivity to diversity
- collaboration and teamwork.
Study education at Swinburne
At Swinburne, class is always in session. Explore the courses that put you at the front of the class.
Courses and study pathways
Duration:
4 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Entry requirements:
- VCE or equivalent completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification including Certificate IV (completed), Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas. Check course details for all entry requirements.
Career outcomes:
- Early Childhood teacher
- Primary school teacher
Recommended courses:
Entry pathways:
Future study pathway:
Duration:
1-2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Entry requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent including at least one major and one minor for an approved secondary teaching area. Check course details for all entry requirements.
Career outcomes:
- Secondary teacher
- Education program developer
- Educational research
Recommended courses:
Future study pathway:
Duration:
1-2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Entry requirements:
- Certificate III in Early childhood Education and Care: either CHC30113 or CHC30121
Recommended courses:
Future study pathway:
Why study education at Swinburne?
Frequently asked questions
If you want to teach in Australian primary or secondary schools, you’ll need a bachelor degree that’s ITEP-accredited. There’s no way around that part.
What you can choose is the path that gets you there. You might start with a TAFE course, head straight into a bachelor, or build on what you already have with postgraduate study. Explore our education courses, or talk to our course advisors to get help choosing the right course, you can book a 1:1, email us or call 1300 794 628.
Current ATAR requirements are listed on each course page, but here’s a guide for 2025:
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) and Bachelor of Education (Primary): minimum ATAR 70
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching): guaranteed entry ATAR 65
Teacher salaries vary depending on the level you teach. On average, full-time weekly pay is around:
- $1,660 for early childhood (pre-primary) teachers
- $2,000 for primary school teachers
- $2,166 for secondary school teachers
Our Master of Teaching (Secondary) is perfect for career changers. The hybrid format features a 5-day face-to-face intensive block, followed by 7 weeks online, plus a structured internship in your second year. This flexible approach lets working professionals transition smoothly into teaching.
Get qualified: Your teaching career starts now.
Compare teaching degrees and TAFE courses, explore study options and find the perfect pathway into a teaching career.