Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teachers teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, art and literature to early childhood (pre-primary) students and promote students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.
Also known as: Kindergarten.
Specialisations: Preschool Director.
A bachelor degree in education majoring in early education is usually needed to work as an Early Childhood Teacher. An alternative pathway is a teaching degree followed by a postgraduate qualification in early education or a diploma approved by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority.
Tasks
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planning and structuring learning in both indoor and outdoor environments using a variety of materials and equipment to facilitate students' development
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providing a variety of experiences and activities to develop motor skills, cooperative social skills, confidence and understanding
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promoting language development through story telling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal discussions held individually and within groups
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observing students to evaluate progress and to detect signs of ill health, emotional disturbance and other disabilities
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observing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors which may impede students' progress
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discussing students' progress with parents
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attending parent interviews, and staff and committee meetings
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participating in community and family support programs as appropriate
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supervising student teachers on placement
Characteristics
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University
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Creative
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow very strongly
- is likely to reach 59,900 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 20,800 |
2012 | 23,100 |
2013 | 23,300 |
2014 | 35,700 |
2015 | 34,400 |
2016 | 44,400 |
2017 | 38,700 |
2018 | 38,600 |
2019 | 49,900 |
2020 | 48,800 |
2021 | 49,300 |
2026 | 59,900 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 56% of people employed as Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 10 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,666 per week, this is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,390
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,187
Median hourly earnings are $45, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,666 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers work in the Education and training industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 35.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 63% of Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers live in capital cities, similar to the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - South East
- Perth - North West
- Sydney - Inner South West
- Melbourne - North East.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 98% of the workforce. This is 50 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 28.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in education majoring in early education is usually needed to work as an Early Childhood Teacher. An alternative pathway is a teaching degree followed by a postgraduate qualification in early education or a diploma approved by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority.
Registration with the state or territory teaching board is required to teach in schools. In some state or territories registration may be required to teach in the early childhood care sector.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 16.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 59.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 16.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 4.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 2.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.7 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and communicate well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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52%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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50%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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50%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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48%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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46%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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46%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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46%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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46%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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46%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
45%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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45%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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39%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
39%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
37%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
37%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
34%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
29%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
63%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
53%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
44%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
42%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
38%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
37%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
36%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
36%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
35%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
32%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
31%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
28%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
28%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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27%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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26%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
-
25%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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24%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
19%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
18%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
15%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
59%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
54%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
50%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
48%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
48%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
46%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
46%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
46%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
46%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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39%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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37%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
34%
Speed of recognitionQuickly make sense of and organize things you can see like letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
-
32%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
66%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
65%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
64%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
63%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
58%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
57%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
57%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
-
56%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
55%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
55%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
53%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
51%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
51%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
51%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
48%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
-
47%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
46%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
45%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
81%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
48%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
29%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Values
-
90%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
67%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
52%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
96%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
95%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
93%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
86%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
86%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
85%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
83%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
82%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
74%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
73%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
70%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
-
70%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
70%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
70%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
69%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
64%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
63%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
63%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
63%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 25-2011.00 - Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.