What ATAR Do I Need for Teaching?
Every Australian university’s ATAR requirement for teaching degrees — sorted by state, specialisation, and pathway. Plus the scaling strategy and subject selection guide that actually gets you there.
The ATAR you need for teaching in Australia ranges from approximately 50.00 to 85.00, depending on the university, degree type, and teaching specialisation. Early Childhood Education degrees at regional universities often require 50–60. Primary teaching degrees generally sit between 60–75. Secondary teaching degrees range from 65–85, with higher requirements for combined degrees at prestigious universities. The most competitive programs — particularly combined degrees like Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney — can require around 80–85.00. The critical insight most students miss: your ATAR only determines entry, not your career success. Graduate employability depends on location, specialisation, and practical skills — not which university you attended.
The Reality Check: Entry vs. Employment
Before you obsess over ATAR cutoffs, you need to understand the single most important fact about studying teaching in Australia: getting into a teaching degree is not the hard part. Getting a permanent teaching job in your preferred location is.
Australia’s teacher education system has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by teacher shortages in some areas and oversupply in others. Understanding this landscape is crucial for making informed decisions about where to study and what to specialise in.
Bachelor of Education (Primary, Secondary, or Early Childhood) or combined degree such as BEducation/BArts, BEducation/BScience. This is where your ATAR matters. Entry requirements range from 50 to 85 depending on the university and specialisation. All programs must include minimum 80 days of supervised professional experience.
Upon graduation, you apply for provisional registration with your state’s teaching authority (e.g., NESA in NSW, VIT in Victoria). This requires meeting the AITSL Graduate Teacher Standards, passing the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE), and having a clean criminal history check.
Most graduates begin with casual or contract work. Transition to full registration typically requires 1-2 years of successful teaching with mentorship. Employment competitiveness varies dramatically: rural areas and certain secondary subjects (maths, physics, languages) have shortages, while metropolitan primary positions can be extremely competitive.
After meeting the requirements, you gain full registration. This must be maintained through ongoing professional development (typically 100 hours per 5-year cycle). Career progression can lead to leading teacher, assistant principal, principal, or system-level roles.
Spending enormous effort to get into an 85-ATAR teaching program at a prestigious metropolitan university may not be the optimal strategy if your goal is employment. A 60-ATAR teaching degree at a regional university, combined with willingness to work in regional areas or high-demand secondary subjects, may lead to faster permanent employment than graduating from a top-tier program into an oversupplied metropolitan primary market. Always consider the employment landscape, not just the university prestige.
Teaching Specialisations and ATAR Differences
The range in ATAR requirements (50 to 85) exists because there are several distinct teaching specialisations, each with different structures, competition levels, and career outcomes. Understanding these differences is essential for making the right choice.
Early Childhood Education
- ATAR range: 50–70 (lowest tier)
- Focus on birth to 5 years (before school)
- Often offered at TAFE and regional universities
- High demand due to sector growth and childcare reforms
- Can lead to primary teaching with additional study
- Best for: students who love working with young children and want secure employment
Primary Teaching
- ATAR range: 60–80 (mid tier)
- Focus on Prep/Kinder to Year 6
- Generalist — teaches across all curriculum areas
- High competition for metropolitan positions
- Better employment prospects in regional areas
- Best for: students who enjoy variety and working with developing learners
Secondary Teaching
- ATAR range: 65–85 (highest tier)
- Focus on Years 7-12, specialising in 1-2 curriculum areas
- Often combined with another degree (Arts, Science, etc.)
- Employability depends heavily on specialisation subjects
- Maths, physics, chemistry, languages: high demand
- History, English, humanities: more competitive for jobs
- Best for: students passionate about specific subjects and working with adolescents
Special Education
- ATAR range: 60–75 (varies by pathway)
- Focus on supporting students with disabilities and additional needs
- Can be studied as a specialisation within primary or secondary
- Significant teacher shortages — excellent employment prospects
- Emotionally demanding but highly rewarding
- Best for: students with patience, empathy, and interest in inclusive education
Secondary teaching degrees typically have higher ATAR requirements for two reasons. First, they are often combined degrees (e.g., BEducation/BScience), and the ATAR reflects the combined competitiveness of both degrees. Second, secondary teachers must demonstrate subject expertise, which means the degree includes substantial content study in addition to education units. This “double load” makes the degree more rigorous and therefore more competitive for entry. If you’re comparing this to nursing or engineering, you’ll notice similar patterns where combined or more technical degrees have higher ATARs.
ATAR Requirements by University — NSW & ACT
New South Wales has the largest teacher education sector in Australia, with programs ranging from highly accessible regional options to prestigious combined degrees at Sydney’s sandstone universities. The ATAR range reflects this diversity.
| University | Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sydney | BEducation (Primary) | ~80.00 | Prestigious primary program. Strong professional experience. |
| University of Sydney | BEducation/BArts (Secondary) | ~85.00 | Combined degree premium. Most competitive teaching program in NSW. |
| University of Sydney | BEducation/BScience (Secondary) | ~83.00 | For maths/science secondary teachers. High demand specialisation. |
| UNSW | BEducation (Primary) | ~75.00 | Strong program with good employment outcomes. |
| UNSW | BEducation/BArts (Secondary) | ~80.00 | Combined degree. Flexible subject choices. |
| Macquarie University | BEducation (Primary) | ~70.00 | Good mid-tier option. Strong technology integration. |
| Macquarie University | BEducation (Secondary) | ~72.00 | Wide range of secondary specialisations available. |
| UOW | BEducation (Primary) | ~70.00 | Strong regional connections. Good employment support. |
| UOW | BEducation (Secondary) | ~70.00 | Available in various secondary specialisations. |
| Western Sydney Uni | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Accessible option in Western Sydney. Strong diverse cohort. |
| Western Sydney Uni | BEducation (Secondary) | ~65.00 | Good pathway for local Western Sydney employment. |
| U Newcastle | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Strong regional option. Excellent practical placements. |
| U Newcastle | BEducation (Secondary) | ~68.00 | Good connections to regional secondary schools. |
| UNE | BEducation (Primary) | ~60.00 | Online and on-campus. Very accessible. Strong rural focus. |
| CSU | BEducation (Primary) | ~58.00 | Multiple campuses. Excellent for regional employment. |
| CSU | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~55.00 | Very accessible early childhood pathway. |
| ACU | BEducation (Primary) | ~62.00 | Catholic university. Multiple NSW campuses. |
| ANU (ACT) | None — no undergraduate teaching | N/A | ANU does not offer undergraduate teaching. Graduate entry only. |
| UC (ACT) | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Canberra’s primary teaching pathway. |
| UC (ACT) | BEducation (Secondary) | ~68.00 | Combined with arts or science degree. |
ATAR Requirements by University — Victoria
Victoria’s teaching landscape is dominated by large metropolitan programs at Deakin, RMIT, and Victoria University, along with strong regional options. The University of Melbourne offers teaching only through graduate entry, following the Melbourne Model. Understanding your subject selection strategy is particularly important in Victoria due to the competitive nature of some programs.
| University | Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni of Melbourne | None — graduate entry only | N/A | Melbourne Model — complete any undergrad then Master of Teaching. |
| Monash | BEducation (Primary) | ~73.00 | Victoria’s premier undergraduate primary program. |
| Monash | BEducation (Secondary) | ~75.00 | Combined with arts, science, music, or health. |
| Deakin | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Available at Burwood, Geelong, and Warrnambool. |
| Deakin | BEducation (Secondary) | ~65.00 | Flexible secondary specialisations. |
| Deakin | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~55.00 | Very accessible early childhood pathway. |
| RMIT | BEducation (Primary) | ~68.00 | Applied focus. Strong industry connections. |
| RMIT | BEducation (Secondary) | ~70.00 | Practical, hands-on approach. |
| La Trobe | BEducation (Primary) | ~60.00 | Available at Bundoora, Bendigo, and Shepparton. |
| La Trobe | BEducation (Secondary) | ~62.00 | Good regional placement opportunities. |
| Swinburne | BEducation (Primary) | ~60.00 | Technology-integrated approach. |
| Federation Uni | BEducation (Primary) | One of the most accessible pathways in Victoria. | |
| Federation Uni | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~45.00 | Very low entry threshold. Ballarat and Berwick. |
| VU | BEducation (Primary) | ~55.00 | Accessible metro option. Strong practical focus. |
| Australian Catholic Uni | BEducation (Primary) | ~58.00 | Catholic sector focus. Multiple campuses. |
The University of Melbourne does not offer undergraduate teaching degrees. Instead, students complete any undergraduate degree (typically 3 years) and then apply for the 2-year Master of Teaching. This pathway requires strong undergraduate grades (usually 65-70% average minimum) but no specific ATAR for the teaching component. It’s a longer pathway (5 years total) but offers flexibility in your first degree.
ATAR Requirements by University — Queensland
Queensland’s teaching programs were significantly affected by the 2024 ATAR transition (replacing the OP system). The state has excellent regional universities offering highly accessible pathways, particularly for students willing to work in regional and remote areas after graduation.
| University | Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UQ | BEducation (Primary) | ~78.00 | Queensland’s flagship. Strong research reputation. |
| UQ | BEducation (Secondary) | ~80.00 | Combined with arts, science, music, or health sciences. |
| QUT | BEducation (Primary) | ~72.00 | Strong practical focus. Good employment outcomes. |
| QUT | BEducation (Secondary) | ~74.00 | Wide range of secondary specialisations. |
| Griffith | BEducation (Primary) | ~68.00 | Available at Mt Gravatt, Gold Coast, and Logan. |
| Griffith | BEducation (Secondary) | ~70.00 | Strong programs in health and PE secondary. |
| USQ | BEducation (Primary) | ~60.00 | Excellent online option. Very accessible. |
| USQ | BEducation (Secondary) | ~62.00 | Good for regional Queensland employment. |
| USQ | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~55.00 | Very accessible early childhood pathway. |
| UC Sunshine Coast | BEducation (Primary) | Growing program. Smaller cohort = more support. | |
| UC Sunshine Coast | BEducation (Secondary) | ~65.00 | Good connections to regional secondary schools. |
| JCU | BEducation (Primary) | ~60.00 | Unique focus on rural, remote, and Indigenous education. |
| JCU | BEducation (Secondary) | ~62.00 | Excellent for remote and regional employment. |
| CQUni | BEducation (Primary) | ~58.00 | Widely available across regional QLD and online. |
| CQUni | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~50.00 | Very accessible. Multiple campuses. |
ATAR Requirements by University — Western Australia
Western Australia has a smaller but well-structured teacher education sector. The state has specific employment advantages for teaching graduates, particularly in regional and remote areas where teacher shortages are acute.
| University | Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UWA | None — graduate entry only | N/A | UWA follows a graduate entry model. Complete any undergrad then Master of Teaching. |
| Curtin | BEducation (Primary) | ~70.00 | WA’s largest undergraduate teaching program. |
| Curtin | BEducation (Secondary) | ~72.00 | Strong STEM secondary specialisations. |
| Curtin | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~65.00 | Good early childhood pathway. |
| Murdoch | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Accessible option with strong practical focus. |
| Murdoch | BEducation (Secondary) | ~67.00 | Good range of secondary specialisations. |
| ECU | BEducation (Primary) | ~62.00 | Available at Joondalup, Mount Lawley, and Bunbury. |
| ECU | BEducation (Secondary) | ~65.00 | Strong regional connections and placements. |
| ECU | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~58.00 | Very accessible early childhood pathway. |
| NDU (Notre Dame) | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Private Catholic university. Small cohort. Fremantle. |
| NDU (Notre Dame) | BEducation (Secondary) | ~68.00 | Catholic ethos. Good for Catholic school employment. |
ATAR Requirements by University — South Australia & Tasmania
South Australia and Tasmania offer some of the most accessible teaching pathways in Australia while maintaining strong graduate outcomes. Both states have significant regional and remote teacher shortages, creating excellent employment opportunities for graduates.
| University | Degree | Indicative ATAR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni of Adelaide | None — graduate entry only | N/A | Adelaide follows graduate entry model. Master of Teaching only. |
| Flinders | BEducation (Primary) | ~70.00 | SA’s premier undergraduate teaching program. |
| Flinders | BEducation (Secondary) | ~72.00 | Combined with arts, science, or health sciences. |
| Flinders | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~62.00 | Good early childhood pathway. |
| UniSA | BEducation (Primary) | ~65.00 | Strong practical focus. Magill campus. |
| UniSA | BEducation (Secondary) | ~68.00 | Available in various secondary specialisations. |
| UniSA | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~58.00 | Very accessible early childhood pathway. |
| UTAS | BEducation (Primary) | ~60.00 | Tasmania’s primary teaching pathway. Hobart and Launceston. |
| UTAS | BEducation (Secondary) | ~62.00 | Good for Tasmanian employment. Combined with arts or science. |
| UTAS | BEducation (Early Childhood) | ~55.00 | Very accessible. Also available online. |
Scaling Guide: What Subjects Actually Help Your Teaching ATAR
Teaching degrees don’t have subject prerequisites at most universities beyond English, which means you have flexibility in your subject selection. However, if you’re aiming for a competitive teaching program, your scaling strategy matters significantly.
Understanding ATAR Scaling for Teaching
The ATAR system scales subjects based on the academic strength of the cohort taking that subject, not the inherent difficulty of the subject. This means a “hard” subject taken by strong students will scale well, while an “easy” subject taken by weaker students will scale poorly — even if you personally find the hard subject easier.
For teaching aspirants, the challenge is balancing subjects that scale well (to maximise your ATAR) with subjects that prepare you for teaching (to ensure you’re ready for your degree and career). Here’s how different subject categories scale for teaching-focused students:
The best ATAR-maximising strategy for teaching aspirants is to take the highest-level English you can manage (Advanced or Literature, not Standard), pair it with at least one high-scaling subject (Maths Methods, Physics, or Chemistry), and fill your remaining slots with subjects you genuinely enjoy and can score well in. This combination gives you strong scaling while ensuring you meet English prerequisites and have subject depth for secondary teaching if needed.
Recommended Year 11 & 12 Subjects for Teaching
While most teaching degrees have minimal formal prerequisites (typically just English), your subject choices in Years 11 and 12 significantly impact both your ATAR and your preparation for teaching. Here’s what to take based on your teaching goals:
Essential for All Teaching Pathways
- English Advanced or English Literature: Required or assumed at most universities. Essential for developing the literacy skills you’ll need to teach and for passing the LANTITE test. English Standard is accepted at some universities but limits your options and scales poorly.
For Primary Teaching
- Mathematics Methods: Increasingly assumed or required. Primary teachers must teach mathematics confidently across all primary years.
- Any Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Earth and Environmental Science. Primary teachers teach general science and need content knowledge.
- History or Geography: Provides humanities content knowledge for teaching HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences).
- A Language Other Than English: Valuable but not essential. Languages are in high demand in primary schools.
For Secondary Teaching
The most important principle for secondary teaching: take the subjects you intend to teach. You cannot teach a secondary subject at a high level without deep content knowledge from your own schooling. Beyond this principle:
- For Maths Teaching: Mathematics Methods is minimum. Mathematics Specialist is strongly preferred and may be required at some universities for senior maths teaching.
- For Science Teaching: Take the specific sciences you want to teach. For senior physics, you need Year 12 Physics. For senior chemistry, you need Year 12 Chemistry.
- For English/Humanities Teaching: English Advanced or Literature, plus History, Geography, Economics, or Legal Studies depending on your intended teaching areas.
- For Languages Teaching: The language you intend to teach, ideally at the highest level available.
- For Arts/Tech Teaching: Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Design and Technology, or Information Technology as relevant.
For Early Childhood Teaching
- Any Mathematics: Even General Mathematics is acceptable, though Methods provides better preparation.
- Biology or Health: Useful for understanding child development.
- Any Humanities: Provides general knowledge for the early childhood curriculum.
All teaching students must pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) before they can graduate and register. Many students who didn’t take Mathematics in Year 12 struggle with the numeracy component. Even if your preferred teaching degree doesn’t require maths for entry, taking at least General Mathematics in Year 12 is strongly recommended to avoid LANTITE failure later.
Alternative Pathways When Your ATAR Isn’t Enough
If your ATAR falls below the cutoff for your preferred teaching degree, you have numerous alternative pathways. Teaching is one of the most accessible professions in terms of entry flexibility — there are many ways to become a teacher that don’t involve getting the ATAR you originally hoped for.
TAFE to University Pathway
- Complete a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (ATAR not required)
- Gain credit (typically 1 year) toward a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Enter university as a second-year student with a lower ATAR threshold
- Works best for early childhood teaching pathways
- Also available: Diploma of Education Support for teacher aide work while studying
Foundation Year Programs
- Many universities offer foundation or enabling programs
- Typically 6-12 months, no ATAR required for entry
- Successful completion guarantees entry to selected degrees
- Available at most universities including UTS, WSU, FedUni, CQUni
- Excellent option if you’re close to the ATAR cutoff
Transfer from Another Degree
- Enter a related degree with a lower ATAR (e.g., BA, BSc, BArts)
- Complete one year with strong grades (typically Credit average or higher)
- Apply for internal transfer to the teaching degree
- Credit for common units often applies
- Delays graduation by 6-12 months but achieves your goal
Graduate Entry (Master of Teaching)
- Complete any bachelor’s degree (3 years)
- Apply for Master of Teaching (2 years)
- Entry based on undergraduate GPA, not ATAR
- Available at Melbourne, Adelaide, UWA, and others
- Longer pathway (5 years total) but maximum flexibility
Most universities offer special entry schemes that can lower effective ATAR requirements by 5-10 points. These include: Educational Access Schemes (for disadvantaged backgrounds), Indigenous Entry Programs, Regional Bonus Schemes (for students from regional areas), and Subject Bonus Schemes (extra points for specific subjects like maths or languages). Check each university’s admission pages for details. These schemes exist because universities genuinely want to diversify their teaching cohorts — use them if you’re eligible. You can learn more about alternative pathways to university in Australia on our dedicated guide.
Registration Requirements After Your Degree
Completing your teaching degree is necessary but not sufficient to become a teacher. You must also meet registration requirements, which are similar across states but administered by different bodies. Understanding these requirements before you start your degree helps you plan effectively.
Complete an accredited teaching degree with minimum 80 days supervised professional experience. Your degree must be accredited by your state’s teacher authority (e.g., NESA in NSW, VIT in Victoria). Not all education degrees are accredited teaching degrees — verify before enrolling.
Pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education. This is a national test that all teaching students must pass. You have three attempts per component. Failure after three attempts may prevent you from continuing your degree. Most universities require you to pass by the end of your second year.
Obtain a Working With Children Check (or equivalent in your state) and undergo a criminal history check. Certain offences may prevent registration. International students should be aware that criminal history checks cover all countries where you have lived.
Apply to your state’s teaching authority for provisional registration. This requires evidence of degree completion, LANTITE pass, and clear checks. Provisional registration allows you to work as a teacher under supervision.
After 1-2 years of successful teaching (requirements vary by state), apply for full registration. This typically requires evidence of meeting the Graduate Teacher Standards at the Proficient Teacher level, mentor reports, and continued professional development.
Each state has its own registration authority: NESA (NSW), VIT (Victoria), QCT (Queensland), TRBWA (Western Australia), TRBSA (South Australia), TRT (Tasmania), and TRBNT (Northern Territory). Registration is generally portable between states, but you must apply to each state where you wish to teach. Some states have mutual recognition agreements that simplify this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ATAR you need for teaching in Australia typically ranges from approximately 50.00 to 85.00 depending on the university, degree type, and teaching specialisation. Early Childhood Education degrees at regional universities often require 50–60. Primary teaching degrees generally sit between 60–75. Secondary teaching degrees range from 65–85, with higher requirements for combined degrees at prestigious universities. The most competitive programs, such as combined Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, can require around 80–85.00.
Getting into an undergraduate teaching degree in Australia is generally accessible compared to many other professions. Most universities offer programs with ATAR cutoffs between 60 and 75, and there are numerous alternative pathways available. However, the real challenge is not entry but completion and employment. Teaching degrees have relatively high dropout rates, and graduate employment depends heavily on location and specialisation. Rural and regional areas often have teacher shortages, while metropolitan primary teaching positions can be highly competitive.
For teaching, the most important subjects are English (Advanced or Literature preferred), which is a prerequisite at most universities. For secondary teaching, you should take the subjects you intend to teach — for example, Mathematics Methods and Specialist for maths teaching, or Chemistry and Physics for science teaching. For primary teaching, Mathematics is increasingly required or assumed. Other useful subjects include Society and Culture, History, Geography, or a Language for humanities-focused teaching pathways.
Yes. If your ATAR is below the cutoff for your preferred teaching degree, there are multiple alternative pathways. These include TAFE diplomas (such as Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care), foundation year programs at universities, transferring from a related degree after one year of strong grades, entering through special entry schemes (such as ACCESS schemes or Indigenous entry programs), or completing a non-accredited degree followed by a Master of Teaching. Many successful teachers began their studies through non-direct entry pathways.
Secondary teaching degrees typically have higher ATAR requirements than primary teaching degrees at the same university. This is because secondary teaching requires subject specialisation (such as mathematics, science, or languages), and universities often bundle secondary teaching with a second degree (such as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts), which increases the overall ATAR. Primary teaching is a single focused degree with fewer prerequisite subjects. At most universities, secondary teaching ATARs are 5–15 points higher than primary teaching ATARs.
No. Your ATAR has no direct impact on your employability as a teacher. Employers (schools, education departments) care about your degree completion, your teaching portfolio, your practical experience (professional placements), your academic transcript, and your suitability for the specific school context. A high ATAR may help you get into a prestigious university, but a graduate from a regional university with strong practical skills and good references will often be equally or more competitive in the job market, especially in areas of teacher shortage.
The LANTITE (Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education) is a national test that all teaching students in Australia must pass before they can graduate and register as a teacher. It consists of two components: literacy and numeracy. Most universities require you to attempt the test by the end of your second year of study and pass it before your final professional placement. You have three attempts per component. The test assesses personal literacy and numeracy skills at a level equivalent to the top 30% of the adult population.
Teaching in Australia offers strong job security, good working conditions compared to many countries, and significant personal reward. However, it also has challenges: moderate starting salaries (though they increase significantly with experience), high emotional demands, and varying employment competitiveness depending on location and specialisation. The career outlook is strongest for secondary maths and science teachers, special education teachers, and teachers willing to work in regional and remote areas. Metropolitan primary teaching is the most competitive segment. Teaching also offers excellent work-life balance compared to many professions, with school holidays and relatively predictable hours.