Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Education (Primary and Special Education) (BEdPri&SpecEd) is an undergraduate teaching degree offered by Australian Catholic University with a minimum duration of four years full-time or the equivalent part-time. It carries 320 credit points and is approved for delivery at ACU's Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney and Strathfield campuses.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education with a named specialisation in Primary and Special Education, a student completes 320 credit points from the schedule of unit offerings: 60 credit points of education studies units, 60 credit points of effective teaching units, 110 credit points of primary curriculum and discipline studies units, 80 credit points of special education specialisation units, 10 credit points from ACU's Core Curriculum, and the zero credit point ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education units. Education studies units include Understanding Learning and Teaching, Educational Thought, Understanding Learners and Their Contexts, Digital Cultures and Capabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures, while the effective teaching sequence runs from Becoming a Teacher through curriculum and pedagogies to engaging learners and managing learning environments.

Students must pass LNTE100 and LNTE101, the LANTITE literacy and numeracy tests, before attempting the second placement unit EDET200. Students who meet the requirements may exit with the Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies, the Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation), the Bachelor of Educational Studies, the Diploma in Liberal Arts or the Certificate in Liberal Arts, although ACU notes none of these awards qualifies a student to teach in Australia.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
In addition, applicants in Victoria will be required to demonstrate suitability for teaching.
All applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level or equivalent:
- Australian Capital Territory: Prerequisites: Nil. Assumed Knowledge: Studies in English (T); Studies in Mathematics (T)
- New South Wales: Prerequisites: Nil. Assumed Knowledge: A minimum of three Band 5 HSC results (including one in English), and a Mathematics Band 4 HSC result. Note: This course is structured to allow applicants to meet the three Band 5 and/or the Mathematics Band 4 entry requirements within the first year of the course.
- Queensland: Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C); General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Victoria: Prerequisites: English: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English; Mathematics: Units 1 and 2 - two units (any study combination) of General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics, or Units 3 and 4 (any Mathematics)
Alternatively, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants may be selected following an interview with the course adviser and staff of the campus Indigenous Higher Education Unit. They should have a minimum of three years' work experience; or completion of year 12 or equivalent; or demonstrated relevant tertiary study skills or successful completion of a Tertiary Communication Skills program.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

International students

International applicants must meet the same academic requirements as domestic applicants, plus ACU's English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
ACU's handbook notes that the course is not offered to international students at Melbourne or Strathfield in 2026, and that there are no international intakes on the Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra and North Sydney campuses.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) / AITSL

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AITSL

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units42 units

EDMA150

Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching

EDES100

Understanding Learning and Teaching

EDES101

Educational Thought

EDES103

Understanding Learners and Their Contexts

EDES104

Digital Cultures and Capabilities

EDMA163

Exploring Mathematics and Numeracy

EDES105

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

EDES206

Social Justice and Community Engagement for Educators

EDES302

Professional Communication

EDET100

Effective Teaching 1: Becoming a Teacher

EDET201

Effective Teaching 2: Curriculum and Pedagogies

EDET200

Effective Teaching 3: Engaging Learners and Managing Learning Environments

EDET300

Effective Teaching 4: Students with Disability and Inclusive Education

EDET400

Effective Teaching 5: Assessment and Data Informed Practice

EDET401

Effective Teaching 6: Professional Engagement and Reflection

EDAR290

The Arts Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment F 6

EDEN100

Foundations of Literacy

EDEN102

Children's Literature for Early Reading

EDEN290

English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-8)

EDEN291

English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 (8-12)

EDHP290

Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6)

EDMA290

Mathematics Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-12)

EDMA291

Mathematics Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 (F-6)

EDSS290

Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6)

EDSI290

Science Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (B-12)

EDTE290

Technologies Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6)

EDSE111

Attitudes and Inclusive Practice

EDSE410

Wellbeing and High Needs

EDSE411

Positive Behaviour Intervention Support

EDSE421

Early Interventions and Transitions

EDSE427

Partnerships: Inclusive and Diverse Learning

EDSE450

Understanding Adjustments, Technology and Communication Systems

EDSX400

Special Education Professional Experience

EDEN345

Literacy and Diversity Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

EDMA311

Intervention in Numeracy

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

LNTE100

LANTITE - Literacy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students

LNTE101

LANTITE - Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Special Education) take to complete?

The course has a total duration of 208 weeks (approximately 4 years) as listed on the CRICOS registry.

What is the work component involved in this degree?

The course includes a mandatory work component of 640 hours in total, structured as 40 hours per week over 16 weeks, which typically involves practical teaching placements.

How much does the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Special Education) cost for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is AU$142,496 in tuition fees, with no additional non-tuition fees listed, bringing the total estimated cost to AU$142,496.

At which campuses can I study the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Special Education)?

The course is available at multiple Australian Catholic University campuses, including Canberra (ACT), Blacktown CBD and North Sydney and Strathfield (NSW), Brisbane (QLD), and Ballarat and Melbourne (VIC).

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a bachelor degree (Skills Level 1 qualification) with a duration greater than 92 weeks, in the field of Teacher Education. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review. Contact ESOS-PolicyTeam@education.gov.au for more information.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $72,000 to $90,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $105,000 to $125,000 per year

Career Paths

Early Childhood TeacherPrimary School TeacherSecondary School TeacherSpecial Education TeacherTeacher Librarian

Key Skills

Lesson planning and curriculum design aligned to the Australian CurriculumDifferentiated instruction to meet diverse learner needsClassroom management and positive behaviour supportFormative and summative assessment design and analysisInclusive education practices for students with disabilities and additional needs

Full Course Overview

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