New data released this month reveals the depth of experience across Australia’s teacher workforce, with two-thirds (66 per cent) bringing more than a decade of classroom expertise.
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) data also revealed a rise in senior leaders with 10 to 29 years of experience, increasing from 57 per cent in 2019 to 63 per cent in 2023 – highlighting an opportunity to support experienced educators as they step into leadership roles.
AITSL CEO Mr Tim Bullard said supporting experienced leaders is a key priority.
“We know that our principals are key to maximising the learning for Australia’s children and young people. Our leadership-focused initiatives, particularly in strengthening middle leader capacity, are essential in building a sustainable, high-performing education workforce,” Mr Bullard said.
“Since 2011 AITSL has provided stewardship for the nationally agreed Australian Professional Standard for Principals, a clear framework for what school leaders should know, understand and do to lead successful schools.”
More recently, AITSL have developed the Professional Standards for Middle Leaders, and guidelines for the induction of school leaders, both of which provide additional detail and support for those in leadership positions in Australia’s schools and learning communities.
The picture of leadership in the teaching profession is just one of the insights shared by approximately 40,000 teachers who took part in the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey – the nation’s largest annual survey of teachers.
Published by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) through the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) Initiative’s National Trends: Teacher Workforce publication and Data Portal, the data offers valuable insight into the shape of the teaching profession.
“It is incredibly powerful that teachers and school leaders are using their collective voice through the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey to inform future policy directions and shape more effective support across the profession,” Mr Bullard said.
“The Australian Teacher Workforce Data Initiative tells the story of teaching in Australia. It is home to an enormous amount of data that can be interrogated by policy makers, employers, researchers and others to gain deep and significant insights from teachers and school leaders about what they do, think and feel.
“By closely examining what teachers are telling us, governments and policymakers can take targeted action in the areas that matter most,” Mr Bullard said.
In December 2022, all state, territory and Commonwealth governments agreed to a series of initiatives under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan (NTWAP) to respond to challenges to attract, support and retain teachers.
“AITSL is proud to work with the Commonwealth, states and territories, along with our stakeholders, to deliver a number of NTWAP Actions that support teachers and school leaders.
“We know from the newly released teacher workforce data that the results reflect a period before initiatives like the NTWAP have had time to take effect – so the value of the ATWD initiative is clear. It gives us the ability to monitor change over time and ensure policies are grounded in what teachers are experiencing.
“And whilst there has been some easing in workforce challenges being experienced by the profession, there is still so much more to do. Using data to inform future decisions, gives us a unique opportunity to target resources to where they will have most impact across a teacher’s career,” Mr Bullard said.
Teachers can have their say and help drive real improvements by taking part in the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey, which opens in August.
More reading: Teacher workforce modelling reveals positive trends
