Are you looking to take the next step in your career this year? One of the benefits of working for the largest employer of teachers in Australia is the range of career-development opportunities available to you.

The NSW Department of Education provides a range of opportunities to future and current teachers to expand their teaching practice and meet their professional goals.

I want to: lead

If school leadership is in your sights, the FASTstream program is a great opportunity for graduates, teachers and executives with all levels of experience to accelerate their career to school principalship within ten years. Applicants are supported through bespoke professional development and mentoring, while undertaking a number of placements tailored to their individual development needs. Applications are currently open, closing Sunday, 1 May 2022. Find out more and apply via the FASTstream webpage, or hear first-hand from FASTstream participant, Isabelle.

Outside of the FASTstream program, aspiring and current school leaders can also access a range of programs and resources through the School Leadership Institute.

I want to: experience teaching in a new context

If you are looking for a tree-change, why not trial teaching and living in a rural or remote NSW community? The Rural Experience Program provides casual, temporary and permanent teachers and school leaders with the opportunity to undertake a short-term placement in a rural or remote NSW public school, while receiving $500 per week in addition to a regular teaching salary. Applications for 2023 placements open soon. Find out more on the Rural Experience Program webpage, or subscribe to be notified when applications open.

I want to: expand my subject knowledge or classroom practice

For teachers looking to expand their subject knowledge, the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships are a great option. Participants can receive a grant of up to $15,000 to complete a study tour within Australia, or conduct international study virtually. Find out more on the Education website, or subscribe to be notified when applications open in Term 2, 2022.

If you are looking to increase your skills and confidence in supporting students with additional needs, why not consider the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship? Through the scholarship, participants are supported to complete studies in inclusive/special education by receiving financial contributions and additional days of paid study leave per year. Applications open later this year, visit the Inclusive Practice in Education Scholarship webpage to find out more, or subscribe to be notified when applications open.

I want to: upskill or master a new subject area

The NSW Department of Education offers two scholarships to support current teachers in developing additional skills or competencies: the Teach and Learn Scholarship (High Demand Subject Areas) and the Teach and Learn Scholarship (Specialist Teaching Areas). Scholars are supported financially while studying, and gain a permanent position in a high-demand subject or specialist teaching area on completion of studies. Applications open later this year, visit the Teach and Learn Scholarship (High Demand Subject Areas) or Teach and Learn Scholarship (Specialist Teaching Areas) webpage to find out more or subscribe to be notified when applications open.

If you are looking to develop additional skills outside of the classroom, the NSW Department of Education also offers School Counsellor Sponsorship Programs. These programs support approved teachers in becoming a school counsellor within a NSW public school. There are two programs available, based on a teacher’s current qualifications: the Psychology Sponsorship Program and the School Counsellor in Training Sponsorship Program. Applications for these programs will open in Term 2, 2022. Subscribe to be notified when applications open.

Staying up-to-date

To stay up to date with the latest opportunities for teachers with the NSW Department of Education, don’t forget to follow Teach NSW on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Here, you will receive updates regarding programs for current and future teachers.