The state’s top university graduates will be the target of a bespoke program designed to attract high achievers into teaching careers in high demand areas across NSW.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said Teach for Australia, which has a successful track record in other states, had created a unique model for NSW public schools.

“The modern workforce has changed but pathways into the teaching profession have become more siloed, with students spending most of their time at university and unable to earn an income until they complete their placements,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want to attract the best candidates to our classrooms and this model actively seeks out the best graduates and helps them make the jump into teaching.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said a particular focus of the program was mid-career professionals, who, once they had completed intensive Masters units, would be supported to work in a school while they completed their study.

“Not only do tailored mid-career programs ease the burden of months of unpaid leave, they also provide future teachers with instrumental experience in the classroom - which teachers constantly tell us is where their most valuable learning takes place,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This is not about cutting corners; it’s about rethinking the way we do teacher training to ensure future teachers have the hands-on experience they need to build their confidence and improve their practice.”

Under the NSW Teach for Australia pathway, participants complete their Master of Teaching degree at Australian Catholic University while they are employed in a school. They receive holistic coaching, mentoring and classroom observations to provide teaching students with a continuous cycle of feedback and improvement.   

As part of the program, principals will also have greater say in how the model is implemented in their school to ensure it meets the needs of a diverse range of school contexts.

Under the partnership, a pilot cohort will be recruited next year commencing in NSW public schools in 2024.