The future of education: Five big changes ahead for teaching in Australia

The future of education: Five big changes ahead for teaching in Australia

Rapid industry growth and technological advancements are evolving schools and classrooms. What does it all mean for the future of education?

Rapid industry growth and technological advancements are evolving schools and classrooms. What does it all mean for the future of education?

Rapid industry growth and technological advancements are evolving schools and classrooms. What does it all mean for the future of education?

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Teaching in Australia is ripe with potential. Jobs in teaching have been increasing exponentially across the country, with the number of educators increasing by 33,900 over the last year1.    

To help you understand the changes that are affecting teaching in Australia and give you a glimpse of what’s on the horizon, here are the five significant ways education is set to change in the near future.  

Two RMIT education students in a classroom with a primary school student

1. The future of education is connection and collaboration

Teaching in Australia is beginning to become more digitally connected and innovative as new ways of learning change the devices and technology used in the classroom. Emerging technology such as virtual and augmented reality are already introducing new ways of exploring education. 

The concept of a teacher standing in front of a room full of students who listen and respond to direction is increasingly a thing of the past, according to RMIT School of Education Professor Tricia McLaughlin. 

While not an entirely new approach, student learning spaces will supersede the typical classroom that we know today. This will see students become partners or co-creators of their own learning.  

“Experiences that allow collaboration, communication and teamwork for all students often happen beyond classroom walls. We need to facilitate for these experiences in context, and our classrooms need to be a reflection of this,” McLaughlin says. 

2. Teacher shortage creating education opportunities

The shortage of teachers in Australia has led the federal government to roll out the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan – its number one priority is increasing the number of teachers in Australia. 

As part of this action plan, millions of dollars have been contributed to scholarships and subsidises to help train future teachers. For example, in the last two years the government has dedicated $159 million in support of Commonwealth Supported Places in education courses.2

It’s not just the federal government giving support, the Victorian state government has announced that up to 200 scholarships will be available for students enrolling in secondary teaching degrees in 2026.3 

The teacher shortage also represents an opportunity for graduates. In the next five years, the number of roles for teachers in Australia is expected to increase by 9.4%. With over 11,150 currently available teaching job opportunities across the country, there is significant potential for those looking to build a career in education. 4

If you’re looking to gain the foundational knowledge to start working as a teacher, the Bachelor of Education might be right for you. If you have a background in a certain field already and are looking to gain the expertise to teach it, you should check out the Master of Education. 

The newly introduced Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) specialisation gives you a broad knowledge of learning, teaching, curriculum and assessment as a primary generalist, while also providing specialised focus on subject-specific secondary teaching.   

If you’re unsure where your passion lies between Primary and Secondary teaching, this course pairs both! You'll develop a teaching skillset that prepares you for classes from primary all the way to VCE. You’ll also get in-depth knowledge and expertise in your chosen area, whether it be biology, English, mathematics, physical education, or psychology.  

3. Education scholarships are supporting teachers in training

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting jobs in teaching, students who enrol and commence an accredited teaching degree may be eligible for a Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship.  

These scholarships provide up to $40,000 to new undergraduate students and up to $20,000 to new postgraduate teacher education students. Scholarship recipients must then go on to teach in a government schools or government-run early learning settings after graduation. This program has been running since 2024 and has offered up to 1,000 scholarships to students each year. The program is planned to run until 2028.5  

If you’re planning on studying the Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) you should also know about the Teach Tomorrow scholarship which provides eligible students with $15,000 while they study for the first 6-12 months.  

If you’re interested in an education scholarship but aren’t interested in these options, there are other scholarships you might be eligible for at RMIT.  

RMIT education student helping a primary school student

4. A learner-first approach is driving customised education

Alongside our changing notions of what constitutes a classroom, our ideas about the way teaching is delivered will also reshape. 

“Most professions treat each individual’s case differently – each patient of a doctor has individualised treatment plans. Education should be no different,” McLaughlin says. 

With new teaching methods becoming more common, the older ‘one model of teaching and learning fits all’ is being phased out. Teachers are becoming facilitators of learning and students are having more control of their learning journey. 

“In the past, all children did the same work regardless of ability or skills. We now know that this contributes to disengagement, misbehaviour and poor outcomes,” she says. 

As a result, teachers have individualised learning plans for students, which has enabled each student to learn at a pace that best suits their abilities and to engage with content that is most beneficial to them. 

Personalised and engaging teaching practices are at the heart of RMIT’s Education courses. Through hands-on learning in real-world classrooms and specialised teaching models, RMIT Education students are being given the tools to guide young minds with personalised learning. 

5. The educators of the future are dynamic

Curriculum teaching and learning already extends well beyond the classroom and will continue to do so, and as education changes to suit the future’s needs, jobs in teaching are growing and presenting teachers with more opportunities to expand their skillsets. This means that educators are being empowered with the ability to seize new opportunities and ways of teaching. 

In light of a shift towards a more personalised learner experience, teachers of the future can pick up many skill sets that will enhance and inform their teaching. Personalised teaching and working with next-gen technology in the classroom is allowing the educators of tomorrow to gain skills as data collectors, analysts, planners, collaborators, curriculum experts, synthesizers, problem-solvers and researchers. 

 

Story: Jacob Johnston

 

References

1Australia Government. ‘Labour Market Insights: Education and Training’. Accessed 24 September 2025. https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/labour-market-insights/industries/education-and-training.  

2Department of Education. ‘National Teacher Workforce Action Plan: Priority Area 1 - Improving teacher supply’. Accessed 24 September 2025. https://www.education.gov.au/national-teacher-workforce-action-plan/priority-area-1-improving-teacher-supply.

3Victorian Government. ‘Scholarships for secondary teaching degrees’. Accessed 24 September 2025. https://www.vic.gov.au/scholarships-secondary-teaching-degrees. 

4Seek. ‘Career Advice - Teacher’. Accessed 24 September 2025. https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/teacher. 

5Department of Education. ‘Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships’. Accessed 24 September 2025. https://www.education.gov.au/teaching-scholarships.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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