The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to rebuild public education across New South Wales with the $20 million Innovative Teacher Training Fund to support NSW's best and brightest students to embark on a successful teaching career.
In a NSW first, the NSW Government is establishing the Early Career Academy for Teachers, fulfilling an election commitment which will serve as a centre of excellence for new and future teachers, with expanded support, enhanced development opportunities and stronger partnerships with universities and across schools.
The Academy will be a one-stop-shop for attracting and supporting new teachers, featuring a digital hub, new scholarships, tailored learning and resources, and embedded department support with a dedicated employee stationed at key universities.
University Admissions Centre data shows growing interest in applications and offers for students studying Education degrees, following several years of decline.
Applications by school leavers for Education degrees have risen by 500 or 23 per cent compared to the same time last year, while offers have risen by 642 or 36 per cent compared to 2024.
The Early Career Academy will focus on making a teaching degree the first preference for more students, improving the classroom readiness of beginning teachers and retaining more early career teachers in NSW public schools.
This initiative builds on the historic pay rise in teachers' salaries, which took NSW beginning teachers from the worst paid in the country to among the highest. Targeted strategies to address the unsustainable workloads of teachers are also bearing fruit, leading to a greater attractiveness of the teaching profession.
The Early Career Academy for Teachers will develop a range of programs and opportunities including:
- An enhanced scholarship program including early offers to future teachers in high priority regions and specialist areas
- Revamped professional experience placements to facilitate consistent and high quality experiences for pre-service teachers before they enter the classroom
- Greater system-led support for pre-service and beginning teachers, including enhanced resources and collaboration opportunities, to enhance the quality of assistance available to early career teachers
- Stronger strategic partnerships with universities, including Department of Education University Partnership Leads to provide tailored support with those seeking employment opportunities in NSW public schools
- Department-led professional learning to support classroom readiness, curriculum expertise and teaching practices
- A Digital Hub with personalised content to support new and future teachers throughout their educational and professional pathway
The Academy will also continue and expand existing, successful programs such as the school-based Future Teachers Club and rural and remote Beyond the Line study tours.
The Early Career Academy will formally commence in Term 1, 2026, following co-design and engagement with the profession, union and key stakeholders.
The NSW public education system is the largest employer of teachers in Australia with more than 96,000 educators working in our schools every year.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"The Minns Labor Government promised we would do everything we can to get more of our best and brightest into teaching and keep them in the classroom - and we are delivering.
"The Early Career Academy will be a game-changer for new and prospective teachers, provide co-ordinated, multi-faceted support and ensuring we have highly skilled, classroom-ready teachers getting jobs in NSW public schools.
"With the NSW Department of Education being the largest employer of teachers in Australia, it is crucial that universities understand the needs of our public schools, and the Academy will play an important role in ensuring partner universities offer the right courses for our future teachers.
"Our government has delivered nation-leading pay rises for teachers and reduced teacher vacancies by 40%, and we are building on this work to attract more of our best and brightest to teaching careers in our schools - while ensuring they are supported and valued to stay.
"The Academy is not just about getting more people to choose a career in teaching or ensuring they are prepared for the classroom from day one, it is about letting our early career teachers know that the Department and the Government is backing you to succeed."
