One-third of Australians would switch to teaching if the salary was higher, survey finds

With the teacher shortage crisis across our nation, Australians have revealed what it would take for them to switch careers.

One third of Australians would consider a career change to teaching if salaries were raised.

It’s a key finding from a recent pulse survey conducted for Australia’s Best Teachers campaign.

As the country’s ongoing teacher shortage crisis continues, our campaign, in its second year, seeks to elevate the status of educators by sharing inspiring stories and addressing the challenges within the teaching profession.

The Best Teachers 2024 survey of more than 2100 Australians found three-quarters believed teachers deserved higher pay, with an average salary of $118,000 identified as enticing for potential career changes.

Currently, the average annual salary for teacher positions stands at $95,000 to $100,000, according to Seek.com.

Weighing up a mid-career shift to teacher, but having to sacrifice on salary, is an barrier for many would-be teachers in Australia.

Federal education minister Jason Clare said while ensuring teachers were paid well was an important factor, fixes for the current crisis were not just about money.

“If you ask teachers, what are the handful of things that are important, they’ll say pay, they’ll also say workload — the idea that teachers start at nine and finish at three is rubbish — and it’s incumbent on all of us to work to try to give teachers more time to teach and focus on the kids rather than paperwork,” he said.

Griffith University vice-chancellor Carolyn Evans said while salaries were an important issue for teachers, work on other areas of support was needed.

She said a whole-system response to behavioural problems in schools was needed to ensure teachers were supported in their approach

“Universities have the responsibility of ensuring that teachers are provided with the skills to help manage ordinary disciplinary matters, but individual teachers should not be expected to deal with serious behavioural problems which require a whole of system response,” Prof Evans said.

“This should include prioritising the safety of schools as a workplace and a willingness to take action against students and parents who make schools unsafe.”

Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans. Picture: Supplied

Prof Evans said improving work satisfaction was vital for teachers.

“While we do need to attract more teachers, we have to recognise that we already have very talented people in the profession,” she said.

“Increasing salaries is important, but research shows that satisfaction in work involves more than salary.

“Teacher satisfaction increases with a good working environment where their efforts are appreciated, and in which their professional judgement is recognised and respected.

“Access to professional networks, professional support and development and a positive work culture that values collaboration and problem solving are just as important as additional salary.”

* Australia’s Best Teachers campaign is supported by corporate partners Officeworks, Teachers Mutual Bank, and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools to celebrate the nation’s best educators. It is part of a concerted push to drive greater respect and recognition for teachers.