Types of teachers

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Students of all ages, abilities and in all communities need teachers to help support and nurture their educational development. When it comes to choosing what type of teacher you’d like to become, there are a range of options.

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Early childhood

Early childhood teachers make a difference in young children's lives (typically aged from birth to 5) by making learning fun and setting the foundation for future learning and life successes.

Learn more about a career in early childhood, the types of services, roles and qualifications required, and State Delivered Kindergarten on the Early Childhood and Care website.

Primary

Primary teachers are trained to teach students from Prep to Year 6 (typically aged 5 to 12). They teach a wide range of subject areas, including English, mathematics, science, geography and history to one allocated class.

Primary teachers develop learning plans that address the curriculum, while nurturing the intellectual, social and physical development of individual students.

Secondary

Secondary teachers are trained to teach one or more subject areas to students in Years 7 - 12 (typically aged 13 to 18). Imparting expert knowledge to secondary school students helps prepare them for finding their own path in life beyond schooling.

Visit the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website for more information about the new and redeveloped syllabuses introduced in Queensland schools from 2019.

Specialist teachers

If you have a passion, hobby or particular interest you can turn that into a career by teaching it to others. Teaching goes beyond the core subjects of mathematics, English and science.

You could be teaching students in:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
Arts, including dance, drama, visual arts and music.
Astronomy and Physics
Aviation and Aerospace Studies
Building and Construction skills
Design
Earth and Environmental Science
Engineering
Food and Nutrition
Horticulture and Agriculture Sciences
Hospitality and Tourism
Information and Communication Technology
Instrumental music
Languages
Marine Sciences
Media, Film and Television
Modern and Ancient History
Outdoor Education and Recreation
Philosophy and Reason
Psychology
Robotics, coding and digital solutions
Special Education

Other education or school based careers

If you’re not sure if teaching is for you, but still want to make a difference to student’s lives, you might be interested in the range of other related roles, including those that support teachers and students in our schools.

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Teacher aides

Teacher aides have an important role in state schools and help make a difference within the school community. By providing a wide range of support to teachers and students who need assistance, teacher aides are instrumental in helping students achieve learning outcomes and reach their full potential.

Find out more about becoming a teacher aide.

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TAFE teachers

Tertiary and Further Education (TAFE) teachers deliver educational excellence to students in their chosen industry. With the opportunity to teach in a variety of locations and across a range of delivery modes, from in class to online, TAFE teachers harness a variety of training tools and techniques. TAFE teachers are not departmental employees but are employed in TAFE Institutes.

Find out more about becoming a TAFE teacher.

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Non-teaching professionals

Teachers are supported by and work collaboratively with a wide range non-teaching professionals to help students reach their full potential.

These include:

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Become a teacher