SchoolNews May 2026 by Sun Yee Yip Monash University

As of December 2025, there was a reported shortfall of 2600 teachers in Victoria and New South Wales alone.

A 2024 Australian Education Union survey of 953 primary and secondary schools also found almost 83 percent were experiencing teacher shortages. Many were relying on merged classes, relief staff and teachers taking on extra duties simply to keep operating.

State and federal governments have acknowledged the shortage, and have a national plan to improve the situation.

Yet while schools continue to struggle to fill vacancies, Australia has access to an untapped teaching workforce. But it is not using it.

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