High Achieving Teachers program
Australia has a shortage of teachers. To boost the number of people entering the profession, ECU and the Federal Government have introduced an exciting new employment-based pathway called the High Achieving Teachers program where eligible students will be paid while attaining teaching qualifications.
Why study at ECU?
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Top WA public uni for Teacher Education
Ranked top for teacher education across all categories in the latest QILT Student Experience Survey. QILT is an independent Australian government survey.
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The highest quality teaching
ECU is one of the best unis in Australia for teaching. We've had 17 straight years of 5-star ratings in the Good Universities Guide to prove it!
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A 5-star postgrad experience
Our postgraduate students have rated us 5 stars for their overall experience in the latest Good Universities Guide. More 5-star ratings included: skills development, student support and teaching quality.
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One of the world's young guns
We're ranked one of the world's best universities under 50 years old, and we've already established a global reputation for such a young institution.
Who is eligible to apply?
The program is open to graduates and final year students who hold a non-teaching degree and want to switch careers to teaching.
This applies to:
- recent ECU graduates who hold a non-teaching degree
- recent graduates from other universities who hold a non-teaching degree
- final year ECU students who expect to graduate with a non-teaching degree in 2024
- final year students at other universities who expect to graduate with a non-teaching degree in 2024
- domestic students only, including Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents
You'll also need to have achieved strong undergraduate results, ideally, but not exclusively, in a STEM course.
And as success in the classroom is as much about how you communicate as it is about what you communicate, your application must include a personal statement from you. There will also be an interview with our HAT Program team.
Student teacher leading a classroom of students
The psychology of a career switcher: Brooke's story
Brooke Taylor's background is in psychology. But when her kids started school, it reignited her passion for child development and led to a career change.
How does it work?
The High Achieving Teachers program, or HAT, starts in early 2025.
ECU's program is delivered as part of the High Achieving Teachers Program: Phase 2 Expansion Pilots supported by the Australian Government Department of Education.
As part of HAT, you'll choose one of ECU's three Master of Teaching courses – in either Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary Education.
Unlike our existing coursework schedule for these master's degrees, your study will be structured around the four Western Australian school terms.
This better aligns with school needs and enhances theory-practice connections. It also makes life easier for program participants with school-age children as you won't be expected to work during school holidays.
You'll be paid while studying and start work in a school in year one.
You'll be placed in one of our HAT partnership schools – public, Catholic or an independent school.
The High Achieving Teachers program will give a much needed boost to the current teacher shortage in Western Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Typically, we expect you to have achieved distinctions and higher distinctions on a regular basis, especially in your final year of undergrad study.
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Upon entry into the HAT program, you'll receive a scholarship or lump sum of $15,000 for your first year. In year 2, you'll receive a further $3,000 scholarship.
In your first year of this program, you'll have the opportunity of up to 2 days a week of paid employment at your placement school.
In year 2, this can be up to 4 days a week of paid employment while you study.
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Short answer is no; you can't receive a Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship as well as be part of the High Achieving Teachers employment-based program.
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Absolutely you should. While there is a known shortage of STEM teachers across Australia and Western Australia, we encourage you to apply for the HAT program whatever your study discipline.
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Simply click the Apply button on this page and it will take you to the Postgraduate application options page.
From there, choose Apply Now under the High Achieving Teachers program option and this will open our application portal.
Follow the instructions in the portal, including choosing your preferred Master of Teaching course in either Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary education.
Note: You'll also need to provide course codes in your application.
- Early Childhood is I81 (that's capital I)
- Primary is I83
- Secondary is I91
To make things as smooth as possible, please have your documents ready to upload before starting your application, e.g. your qualifications.
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Applications are now open and will close 4 December 2024.
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Your formal study of the Master's program will be online while you are mentored and coached in a HAT partnership school.
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Short answer is lots! You'll have mentors and coaches in the school you start in and you'll be supported by the HAT Team at ECU.
We've established a specialised university-school partnership HAT support team for successful applicants to help you achieve success as a teacher.
There will also be targeted professional learning through your involvement in a range of ECU short courses for teachers.
Register your interest for the High Achieving Teachers program
The Important Things
Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.
Course Entry
There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.
Fees & Scholarships
Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.
Applying
Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.
ECU Experience
Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.