Teaching Courses in Australia
Bachelor & Master of Teaching in Australia 2026
Last Updated: 27 Aug 2026
Which teaching course you need depends on one question: do you already hold a bachelor's degree in any field?
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Yes, I already have a bachelor's degree - a Master of Teaching (Secondary or Primary) lets you move into teaching without repeating a full undergraduate degree.
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No, I don't have a bachelor's degree yet - a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) is the standard entry pathway. There is currently no Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) course in our list - see the note below.
Primary and Secondary School Teacher are separate occupations from Early Childhood Teacher, each assessed by AITSL (the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership).
Key takeaways:
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Already hold a bachelor's degree? Master of Teaching (Secondary or Primary) is the faster route.
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Starting from scratch? Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) is available - there is no Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) course currently in our list.
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AITSL, not ACWA or VETASSESS, is the skills assessment body for Primary and Secondary Teachers. A positive assessment is valid for 2 years.
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Each state and territory also has its own separate teacher registration authority you must register with before working in a school there.
Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Suits applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in any field and want to teach a subject area at secondary school level.
Courses:
Master of Teaching (Primary)
Suits applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in any field and want to teach at primary school level.
Courses:
Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)
The standard entry pathway for applicants who do not yet hold a bachelor's degree and want to teach at secondary school level.
Courses:
Note on Primary Teaching without a degree: there is currently no Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) course in our course list. If you don't yet hold a bachelor's degree and specifically want to teach at primary school level, book a free consultation to discuss your options.
Looking for Early Childhood Teacher instead? See Early Childhood Education courses - a separate occupation from Primary and Secondary Teacher.
Not the right course for your background? Browse courses for PR in Australia by occupation.
AITSL Skills Assessment
AITSL assesses whether your qualification and teaching practice meet Australian teaching standards for Primary and Secondary Teacher occupations. A positive outcome is valid for 2 years. Each state and territory also has its own teacher registration authority (separate from AITSL) that you must register with before working in a school there.
Primary and Secondary Teacher both sit on Australia's Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (see the full occupation lists) - relevant if you are also planning a skilled migration application. See Skilled Independent (189), state nomination (190), and regional (491) visa pages for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already have a bachelor's degree - which teaching course do I need?
A Master of Teaching (Secondary or Primary, depending on which age group you want to teach) lets you move into teaching without repeating a full undergraduate degree.
I don't have a bachelor's degree yet - can I still study to become a Primary Teacher?
Not currently through our course list - we only have a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) for applicants without an existing degree. Book a consultation to discuss other options for Primary Teaching.
Is AITSL the same as state teacher registration?
No. AITSL assesses your qualification for skilled migration purposes. Each state or territory also runs its own separate teacher registration process that you complete before working in a school there.
Are Primary and Secondary Teacher relevant to a skilled migration pathway?
Both occupations sit on Australia's Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, which is relevant if you are also planning a skilled migration application - see subclass 189, state nomination (190), and regional visas (491), subject to your points score and a positive skills assessment.
