A new initiative aims to address South Australia’s teacher shortage by providing an employment-based pathway that secures applicants both a job and a university place.
Developed by the University of South Australia (UniSA) in partnership with the state’s education department, the ‘Teaching Futures Pathway’ is an iteration of the Federal Government’s High Achieving Teachers Program, launched in 2020.
The program is designed for people looking to change careers (those who have already completed an undergraduate degree), as well as First Nations people and people from rural and regional South Australia.
Successful applicants (‘Associates’) will secure a part-time support role in a school and progress to a full-time teaching role while they undertake their postgraduate teaching studies at a South Australian university.
Associates will also receive support, guidance, practical teaching experience, and additional professional development from experienced teachers within their host school for the duration and receive a $16,000 scholarship to supplement their salary as they study. Host schools for 2025 will be in Salisbury and Playford, extending to regional schools in 2026.
Tackling the teacher shortage – from multiple angles
UniSA’s Professor Simon Leonard says the Teaching Futures Pathway aims to create a long-standing community-based teacher workforce, and a seamless connection between initial teacher education and induction into schools.
“There’s no doubt that South Australia is struggling with a teacher workforce shortage. Teaching numbers have been falling for more than a decade, and compared to many other states, we are missing the career changers moving into teaching,” Professor Leonard said.
“Don’t get me wrong – we love that younger generations are studying teaching, and we need that youth and vitality across the sector – but we know we are missing a lot of great teachers who find the qualifications pathway a barrier. So, we have an imbalance between the inflow and outflow of teachers.”
Professor Leonard said the Teaching Futures Pathway aims to address this from multiple angles.
“First, we hope to appeal to people looking to change careers to teaching – these people would ideally live in and around Adelaide’s northern suburbs, so that they have an affinity and desire to stay and work in the area, which helps combat teacher attrition,” Professor Leonard said.
Building proficient, job-ready teachers
In future years, the University intends to expand the program to other parts of South Australia, he noted.
“By providing an employment opportunity within a host school, initially in a support role and later as a teacher, Associates can gain paid, hands-on experience in student wellbeing and classroom activities, supported and mentored by experienced, high-achieving teachers,” he said.
“This builds proficient, job-ready teachers who feel supported and connected to their job and school.”
Professor Leonard said Associates will progress to a special authority to teach their second year, and full teacher registration by the end of their degree.
“So, they’re actively teaching as they study and will graduate as future leaders of the teaching profession; plus, they receive a scholarship in their first year to help them really commit to the teaching profession and their studies without a huge gap in salary.”
‘It really is a win-win’
Professor Leonard says partnership is a key success factor for the program.
“Collaboration, support and partnership with host schools in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and regional areas is vital for the success of the new Teaching Futures Pathway,” he said. “When teachers feel supported, genuinely heard, respected, and importantly, able to contribute to their school environment, they’re far more likely to continue their employment.”
Professor Leonard said the Teaching Futures Pathway is “a true partnership through which every party is positioned for success”.
“Schools retain qualified, dedicated, and positive teachers who are committed to student success in their area, and Associates are employed while they study, have a scholarship to boost their income, and a new rewarding teaching career,” he said.
“It really is a win-win.”