There’s a staffing shortage coming for the Australian education sector

Australia’s population is expanding rapidly, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) predicting that the total number of students enrolling in primary and secondary schools is set to grow significantly by 2030. However, it’s become clear that Australia’s education sector is lacking the skilled professionals to meet these demands, especially in particular skill areas and geographical regions.

What’s the current state of the education sector? 

Figures from the Australian Department of Education show that while student enrolments are rising, teacher growth is struggling.

The state of student growth

According to the ABS, ‘Over the five years to 2024, total student enrolments increased by 4.6%. Independent schools recorded the largest increase (18.5%), followed by Catholic schools (6.6%) and government schools (1.0%).’

The state of teacher shortages in Australia

In contrast to the increase in student numbers, there’s a shortage of teachers in multiple areas, particularly in STEM subjects, special education, early childhood education, and regional or remote areas. 

According to the Australian Education Union’s (AEU) Teacher Supply Survey, “teacher shortages are expected to reach critical levels in the coming decade”.

The AEU has also stated that “The federal Department of Education predicts a shortage of 4100 teachers by 2025. Fewer people are choosing to enrol in teaching degrees and dropout rates are significant, with only about half the students completing their degree”.

They also found that “About 20 per cent of graduates leave the profession within the first three years, according to federal government data, and many experienced teachers are leaving before retirement age”.

As we can see, the teacher shortage is being exacerbated by high attrition rates,with many leaving the profession due to burnout, workload, and salary dissatisfaction. By 2030, the sector will need to recruit thousands of new educators just to meet demand, not to mention filling the vacancies caused by teacher retirements and departures.

In many remote and regional areas, schools are already struggling to find qualified teachers and other professionals. As the AEU mentions, “nearly half of schools in rural areas report difficulties in filling teaching positions, which is directly impacting students’ access to quality education”.

What’s the government doing?

The Australian government is aware of the looming teacher shortages and is actively trying to address it through various initiatives. While many of these measures are in their early stages, the government’s education policy is gradually shifting to include targeted strategies for recruitment, retention, and workforce development.

Teacher education reforms

Recent government initiatives have sought to improve the education of teachers and make the profession more attractive to newcomers. Reforms focus on strengthening the pipeline of educators, with a push for better initial teacher education, more robust practicum programs, and increasing support for early career teachers.

Increased funding for education

In the most recent federal budget, $1.2 billion has been allocated to improving teacher quality, particularly by addressing the shortage of STEM teachers. The funding will also help provide scholarships and incentives for prospective teachers who are willing to relocate to rural and regional areas.

Resilience and development strategies

The government is investing in teacher professional development programs to ensure that educators are equipped with various skills needed to succeed in today’s modern classrooms. Programs aimed at supporting teachers’ well-being and reducing burnout have also been introduced.

Supporting digital innovation in education

As with many sectors, digitisation and digital innovation have been a recent focus in budget allocations and various targeted schemes. In this vein, the federal government also promotes digital innovation in schools to improve teaching and learning outcomes. This includes rolling out national digital learning platforms and investing in digital infrastructure for remote education. The hope is that such measures will ease the administrative burden on teachers and enable them to focus more on educational quality and learning outcomes.

What are the main staffing issues that need to be solved?

Teacher shortages in critical areas

The biggest concern is the shortage of qualified teachers in key subject areas like mathematics, science, and special education. Research by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has indicated that more than 10,000 STEM teachers will be required by 2030 to meet growing demand.

An ageing workforce

Many teachers, especially in leadership roles, are nearing retirement age. The Department of Education reports that over 50% of school principals in Australia are aged 50 or older, creating a need for succession planning and attracting younger educators.

Fierce competition for talent

Schools  are not only competing with other education providers but with a wide range of industries offering competitive salaries and better work-life balance. The private sector often entices talented professionals away from the classroom, leading to greater retention challenges.

Workplace stress and burnout

Teaching is often one of the most stressful professions, with workload demands and emotional exhaustion leading to high turnover rates. In a 2021 survey by the Australian Teacher Workforce Data project, 25% of teachers reported feeling burnt out within their first five years of teaching.

What can HR leaders do to tackle the problem?

HR professionals and decision-making leaders in Australia’s education system will need to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the longevity of their organisation.

Better succession planning

Succession planning must become a priority, not just at the leadership level but across all levels of the teaching profession. Fostering a pipeline of future teachers, particularly in high-demand subjects like STEM, is crucial to ensuring a successful future. 

A report by Jobs and Skills Australia around early education, for example, highlights the need for succession planning and training, saying “the sector should systematically recognise the role of senior and experienced staff in supporting trainee induction, development, assessment, and mentoring.”

More focus on upskilling and professional development

Offering continuous learning opportunities and professional development can help keep teachers engaged and prepared for the evolving needs of their students. This includes upskilling teachers in areas such as digital literacy, mental health, and inclusive education.

Prioritisation of staff wellbeing

Luckily this seems to be well underway in this day and age, but HR leaders need to prioritise creating a supportive work environment that promotes mental and physical wellbeing. Flexible work hours, mental health support, and reducing administrative burdens can all help minimise burnout and contribute to better retention.

Meaningful cultural competency and diversity

With Australia’s multicultural population growing, HR leaders in education need to focus on recruiting teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Culturally competent education ensures all students feel seen and valued, and increases the relevance of the curriculum for a diverse student body.

HR must act swiftly and decisively

There’s no silver bullet to Australia’s educational workforce challenges. This will require a range of forces coming together.

Having said that, there’s no set of professionals better placed and better suited to chip away at these mounting issues than HR professionals. This will mean advocacy for policies that will attract and retain educators, and ensuring that teachers are equipped to meet the demands of modern classrooms.

By investing in better technology and processes, improving workplace culture, and fostering strong professional development, Australia’s education sector can ensure that it has the talent and skills necessary to meet the needs of its future generations. Strategic planning now can help avoid a crisis in the years ahead.