Teaching is one of Australia's most in-demand professions. Jobs and Skills Australia projects the education sector will require an additional 100,000 workers by 2030, with secondary STEM teachers and early childhood educators facing the most acute shortages nationally. Getting your teaching resume right is essential — school principals and HR teams review dozens of applications per vacancy.
Teacher registration: what you must have before applying
Teacher registration is mandatory and state-specific in Australia. You cannot be employed as a teacher without registration in the state or territory where you plan to work:
- NSW: NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority)
- Victoria: VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching)
- Queensland: QCT (Queensland College of Teachers)
- WA: TRBWA (Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia)
- SA: TRBSA | ACT: Teacher Quality Institute | NT/TAS: State-specific bodies
Include your registration number, state, category (Full/Provisional), and expiry date prominently on your resume.
Australian teaching resume format
| Element | Standard |
|---|---|
| Length | 3–5 pages for experienced teachers. 2–3 for graduates. Government schools often require 5+ pages to address selection criteria. |
| Page size | A4 |
| Font | Calibri or Arial, 10.5–11pt body |
| Photo | Do not include |
| File format | PDF for most applications |
Essential sections for an Australian teaching resume
1. Header
Full name, suburb and state, mobile, professional email, teaching registration number and expiry date prominently — e.g. VIT Registration: 1234567 (Full) | Expires April 2028.
2. Professional summary (4–6 lines)
Tailor to the school and role. Name your teaching level (Primary, Secondary, Early Childhood), subject specialisations, years of experience, and strongest professional achievement. Reference the school's ethos if possible.
"Secondary Mathematics and Physics teacher with 8 years of experience in Victorian government schools. Consistently improved student outcomes in Year 11–12 VCE cohorts, achieving a school-record 94% study score above 30 in 2025. Committed to inclusive practice and evidence-based teaching aligned with the APST standards. VIT registered (Full)."
3. Teaching subjects and year levels
List clearly: e.g. Mathematics (Years 7–12, VCE Units 1–4), Physics (Years 11–12, VCE), Science (Years 7–10).
4. Key competencies
Align to the APST and the school's job description: Differentiated instruction, Trauma-informed practice, Student wellbeing, Data-driven assessment, Google Workspace for Education, Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Compass, Schoolbox).
5. Teaching experience (reverse-chronological)
For each role: school name, state, sector (Government/Catholic/Independent), dates, year levels and subjects, and 3–5 quantified achievement bullets:
- Improved NAPLAN Numeracy results for Year 5 cohort from 35th to 62nd percentile over two years through targeted intervention programme
- Designed and implemented a cross-curricular STEM unit adopted school-wide for Years 7–8
- Reduced student absenteeism in form class by 22% through relationship-based morning check-in programme
6. Working With Children Check
Include your WWC Check (or state equivalent — Ochre Card in NT) number, issuing state, and expiry date. Mandatory for employment in Australian schools.
7. Professional learning (last 3 years)
Australian principals value ongoing PD. List courses, workshops, conferences, and coaching programmes with completion dates.
8. Extracurricular and additional responsibilities
Coaching sports teams, running clubs, Year Level Coordinator, Form Teacher, First Aid Officer — these differentiate candidates significantly in Australian school hiring.
9. Referees
Include two named referees: your current/most recent principal plus a deputy/curriculum leader. Provide name, role, school, and phone number. Do NOT write "available on request" — Australian teaching applications always require named referees.
Government school selection criteria
Applications to government schools in most states require a separate "Statement addressing the selection criteria." This is not part of the resume — it is a separate document submitted alongside it. Each criterion response: 150–250 words, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) with specific, measurable examples.
ATS for teaching applications
State education department online portals and large school networks use ATS or applicant management software. Use single-column layout, standard section headings, PDF format, and mirror the language from the job advertisement — particularly APST standard references and curriculum terminology.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia Skills Priority List (December 2025); AITSL Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (2026); ACER Teacher Workforce Data 2025; state teacher registration authority websites (VIT, NESA, QCT — verified August 2026)
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