• make a difference in the lives of young people
• inspire a passion for learning
• feel a real sense of achievement
• be creative and have the opportunity to express themselves
• enjoy a job where every day is different.

Working in a public school offers you a career with:

• students from a variety of backgrounds
• a wide range of career opportunities
• flexible working arrangements and lifestyle balance
• professional development opportunities
• attractive salary with financial incentives for teaching in regional areas
• nine per cent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks vacation leave (school holidays)
• more than 20 days of other leave including sick leave and carers’ leave
• subsidised accommodation where appropriate.

Depending on the area of teaching in which you are interested, you will need to complete a four year Bachelor of Education (with a specialisation in a certain area such as early childhood education) or a three year degree in a relevant discipline followed by a one year Graduate Diploma in Education (again with a specialisation such as primary teaching).

Postgraduate courses
Universities offer a range of postgraduate courses in education which allow you to further your study in certain areas right through to a doctorate (PhD).

For example you could complete a Certificate III in Teacher Assistant, a Certificate IV Teacher Assistant then a Diploma of Teaching Assistant. This should then qualify you for admission to university. It is important to explore all your options with your TAFE college and university before enrolling.

Find out more:

Mature aged studentsIf you are a mature aged student (over the age of 20 years) you may sit a tertiary admission test to qualify for admission to university. If you already have a degree and may be looking for a change of career you can become a teacher by completing a one year Graduate Diploma in Education. For more information about universities in WA and to discover if there may be prerequisites for your course contact the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC):

Teaching offers a satisfying and rewarding career with many leadership opportunities and career advancement. It is a job where no two days are ever the same and at the end of every day you will know that you have made a real difference in the lives of your students.

While many of WA’s public schools are currently fully staffed, there will be an ongoing need for qualified teachers in rural (country) areas. There is usually a demand for secondary school teachers in these subject areas:

• Mathematics
• Science (Physics and Chemistry)
• Design and Technology
• Home Economics.

From 2012 onwards there may be a need for additional Early Childhood Education and primary school teachers.

For more information about teaching in public schools in WA you can download A Guide for University Students or you can attend a presentation by a member of the Department’s Teacher Advocate team.

As a teacher in a public school, you will perform a variety of tasks. Most of your time will be spent in class teaching. The remainder of your time will be spent doing non-teaching duties, such as:

• lesson planning
• giving students extra support with their work
• going to staff meetings
• attending professional learning
• marking students’ work
• assisting with school activities or events.

During school hours set time is allocated for you to teach and complete some of your non-teaching duties. You are given the choice of when and where you complete the rest of your non-teaching duties. You have the flexibility to complete them before or after school, at weekends or during school holidays.

Teaching time
The school week is from Monday to Friday with the starting and finishing times of schools varying.

Most schools have classes from about 8.30am through to about 3.00pm each day with a lunch break and two recess breaks during the day. Some schools in the north of the State have earlier starting and finishing times because of the warmer climate.

Most of your working week will be spent teaching in the classroom. In 2011 the maximum weekly hours for face to face teaching are as follows:

• secondary teachers – 21 hours and 20 minutes
• primary teachers – 21 hours and 50 minutes
• pre-primary teacher – 21 hours and 20 minutes.

Non-teaching time
Preparation time scheduled into the week so you can prepare for classes and do duties other than face to face teaching is known as DOTT time (Duties Other Than Teaching).

In 2011 teachers have the following DOTT time:

• secondary teachers – 5 hours and 20 minutes
• primary teachers – 4 hours
• pre-primary teachers – 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Full-time, part-time and casual options
Teaching can offer you great flexibility. You can choose to work full-time, part-time or casually, depending on which positions are available.

You may consider working:

• full-time – for a term, semester or year
• part-time – for a reduced number of hours a week
• relief teaching – providing temporary teaching services to schools of your choice when requested (sometimes known as supply teaching).

You may be interested in a job share arrangement where you share a full-time position with another teacher. Both of you work part-time and your duties, pay, holidays and other entitlements are split according to the number of hours you each work.

Schools Online is a directory of public schools in WA and contains information about programs offered and student numbers at each school as well as general school information.

To find out information about a specific school region, you can access their website via the regional education offices web page. You’ll also find region maps.