Australia needs to attract more high achievers into the teaching profession. Only 3 per cent of high achievers choose teaching for their undergraduate studies, whereas 19 per cent choose science, 14 per cent health, and 9 per cent engineering.
A Grattan Institute survey of almost 950 young high achievers in 2019 – a first in Australia – showed that teaching falls short in two key areas: teacher pay and career challenge.
This submission identifies policy reforms that would lift the status and therefore the quality of teaching.