The Albanese Government has implemented the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan to tackle Australia's teacher shortage and reverse declining school completion rates. After almost a decade of decline under the previous government, recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows positive signs of improvement, with public school retention from Year 10 to Year 12 increasing to 74.3% in 2024 (up 1.3 percentage points). The student-to-teacher ratio has fallen to 12.9 students per teacher (the lowest since 2006), and teacher numbers have increased by 2.8% to 320,377 full-time equivalent staff in 2024. Additionally, initial teacher education applications are up 7% and offers up 14% compared to the previous year.

The Action Plan focuses on five priority areas: improving teacher supply, strengthening initial teacher education, retaining existing teachers, elevating the profession, and better understanding future workforce needs. Key initiatives include 5,000 teaching scholarships worth up to $40,000 each, an additional 4,036 Commonwealth Supported Places in education courses ($159 million), 1,500 more places in the High Achieving Teachers program for career-changers ($68.3 million), a new Commonwealth Prac Payment to support teaching students during practicums, and $25 million for pilot programs to reduce teacher workload. The plan also includes measures to streamline teacher registration, increase permanent positions, improve early career support, and develop clearer career pathways.

$348.5 million in initiatives to attract and retain teachers

Teacher numbers increased 2.8% to 320,377 in 2024

5,000 scholarships worth up to $40,000 each for teaching students

School retention rates improving for the first time in almost a decade

Teacher education applications up 7% and offers up 14%

[1] https://www.education.gov.au/national-teacher-workforce-action-plan

[2] https://www.education.gov.au/teaching-and-school-leadership/resources/national-teacher-workforce-action-plan-publication

[3] https://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/new-data-shows-more-people-applying-become-school-teachers