A Secondary Teaching qualification for Years 8–12 (also commonly spanning Years 7–12) prepares graduates to become registered classroom teachers in Australian secondary schools. These courses — offered as a four-year Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or a two-year postgraduate Master of Teaching (Secondary) for those who already hold a bachelor's degree — develop specialist expertise in two curriculum learning areas aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Students gain deep disciplinary knowledge alongside professional pedagogical skills, learning how to design and deliver engaging lessons, manage diverse classrooms, assess student progress, and support the wellbeing of adolescent learners across the middle and senior years of schooling. Typical teaching areas include English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, STEM subjects, Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Languages, Business Studies, and more.

This course is designed for passionate individuals who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young Australians aged approximately 13–18. It suits both school leavers entering a four-year undergraduate degree and career changers or recent graduates who wish to transition into teaching through a postgraduate pathway. The course produces graduates who are eligible to apply for professional registration with their state or territory teaching authority — such as the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), Queensland College of Teachers (QCT), or equivalent bodies — and who can work in government, Catholic, independent, and faith-based schools across Australia.

Employers of graduates include state and territory Departments of Education, Catholic education systems, independent and faith-based school networks, TAFE institutions, and international schools. The course is nationally accredited against the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Graduate Teacher Standards, ensuring graduates meet a consistent national benchmark for professional competency and are recognised as qualified teachers in all Australian states and territories.

For the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), domestic applicants typically need to have completed Year 12 or equivalent with a competitive ATAR (entry scores generally range from approximately 60–80 depending on the institution and state, though some providers accept lower scores via alternative pathways). Many institutions require an English prerequisite at Year 12 level (e.g., a minimum grade in English or English Literature). In Victoria, applicants must also complete a non-academic attributes assessment such as the CASPer test, which assesses personal and professional suitability for teaching. Some institutions also accept mature-age applicants, TAFE or VET qualifications, and applicants with prior higher education study, with recognition of prior learning (RPL) potentially reducing study duration. All applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements; for international students this typically means an IELTS overall score of 7.5 with no band below 7.0, and scores of 8.0 in speaking and listening — as mandated by AITSL for teacher registration eligibility.

For the Master of Teaching (Secondary), applicants must hold an approved undergraduate bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification and must have completed sufficient content study in at least one (preferably two) approved teaching area(s). Institutions typically require a minimum GPA of around 4.0 (on a 7-point scale) or equivalent. As the postgraduate entry pathway is designed for graduates who already have disciplinary knowledge, subject prerequisites vary by teaching area; for example, Mathematics or Physics may require evidence of tertiary-level STEM study. All initial teacher education (ITE) students in Australia are required to meet the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) standards — demonstrating personal literacy and numeracy skills in the top 30% of the adult population — prior to graduation and before being eligible for teaching placements.

Regardless of entry pathway, all pre-service teachers in Australia must obtain a Working With Children Check (or state equivalent, such as a Blue Card in Queensland or Working with Vulnerable People Registration in the ACT) before undertaking any professional experience placement in a school. Some states also require a National Police Check and completion of child protection training (e.g., RRHAN-EC in South Australia). These mandatory clearances must be obtained prior to starting practical components of the course.