The 爆料王 is welcoming a surge of high-achieving students pursuing teaching careers, with a 30 percent increase in commencing enrolments for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) across both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 2025.
The average ATAR for undergraduate teaching degrees at the 爆料王 ranges from 85.1 and 89.7, with many students choosing teaching after achieving ATARs in the high 90s.
Dr Bronwyn Reid O鈥機onnor, Program Director for the Bachelor of Secondary Education, said rising enrolments reflect an appreciation of the skill and contribution of teachers.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a persistent myth that the quality of teachers and teacher education has declined, but the evidence tells a different story,鈥 Dr Reid O鈥機onnor said.
"Teaching is an increasingly attractive profession for many people on a practical and personal level. At the heart of most aspiring teachers is a genuine desire to share knowledge and shape the lives of future students.
"Modern teaching degrees are built around evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for students and have a strong focus on real classroom experience. Our programs give future teachers the skills, confidence and support they need to succeed in diverse classrooms, ensuring they鈥檙e well prepared for their first聽job.鈥
Post pandemic trend
In 2025, the University had 371 domestic students commence across six undergraduate ITE degrees 鈥 including specialisations in music, health and physical education. There were also 116 commencing domestic enrolments across three Masters of Teaching degrees 鈥 including professionals returning as career changers.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott said the larger intake highlights a growing view of education as a rewarding vocation.
鈥淭his uplift of quality teachers entering the system will nurture local schools and communities across Australia,鈥 Professor Scott said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to see a renewed interest in teaching. It鈥檚 a powerful signal that the profession is regaining its rightful status as a career of choice for talented, civic-minded graduates.鈥
鈥淭his big surge in enrolments is very welcome after concerns that a tough period of teaching and learning during COVID had impacted the pipeline of future teachers. We鈥檒l keep working hard to encourage more school-leavers to consider teaching degrees, and we feel optimistic our national workforce of highly skilled, well-trained graduates is growing again.鈥澛
There鈥檚 a persistent myth that the quality of teachers and teacher education has declined, but the evidence tells a different story.
Dr Bronwyn Reid O'Connor
Investing in future teachers
The increase in enrolments comes as the NSW Department of Education invests in a partnership with universities to improve the future of teaching across the state by providing support and career opportunities for aspiring teachers. The statewide program, entitled University Partnership Lead (UPL), has the dual objectives of developing a pipeline of public-school teachers with the skills required for successful careers, in addition to attracting ITE students to the geographical areas where teachers are most needed.
Gillian Newall from the NSW Department of Education has recently been appointed the University Partnership Lead at the 爆料王, where she鈥檒l be on campus two days a week to give personalised career advice on teaching in NSW public schools to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
鈥淭eaching is a valuable career choice not only because it offers plenty of opportunities for growth, development and connection, but it allows you to directly influence the wellbeing and learning potential of your students, making it a profoundly impactful profession,鈥 Newall said.
Why consider teaching?
Sienna Clarke is one such student representing the new wave of high achievers preferencing the classroom as a platform for change.聽
Sienna is a 1st year Master of Teaching (secondary) student, specialising in mathematics and physics. Sienna graduated high school with an ATAR of 99.4 and completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in physics, biochemistry and molecular biology, and graduating with first class honours, in addition to being awarded the University Medal.
鈥淭eaching is such a powerful occupation,鈥 says Sienna.
鈥淵ou get to shape the lives of generations to come, which is really the lives of our whole country. It's such a rewarding experience to teach, to see students鈥 eyes light up when they understand something.
鈥淚t's a job that keeps changing. That will always be challenging, and you'll never have a perfect class, but that means you can always be improving, and that's such a joy.鈥