Aspiring teachers can now apply for scholarships worth up to $40,000, with the next round of the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program officially open for 2026 starters.
It’s the third year of the government’s $160m scheme, which is offering 5,000 scholarships over five years. So far, almost 2,000 students have signed on, and around 30% come from rural, regional or remote communities.
The program is aimed at high-achieving school leavers and mid-career changers, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds — including First Nations students, people with disability, students from low-income families and those who speak English as an additional language.
Undergraduates can receive up to $40,000 in financial support, while postgraduates can receive up to $20,000 to complete an accredited teaching degree. To be eligible, recipients must commit to teaching in a government school or early learning setting for two to four years once they graduate.
The scheme sits under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan, which is designed to shore up teacher supply at a time when schools nationwide are grappling with staff shortages.
“Being a teacher is the most important job in the world, and we don’t have enough of them. I want more young people to leap out of high school and want to become a teacher, and I want more people in the middle of their careers to consider becoming teachers,” Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, said in a statement.
“That’s what these scholarships are all about. This is one part of our plan to tackle the teacher workforce shortage and builds on our reforms to teacher training and the Commonwealth Prac Payment for teaching students.”
Australia’s peak teachers’ union welcomed the announcement, saying the continuation of the program is an important recognition of the urgent need to attract teachers, particularly in public schools and early learning settings where the shortages are most severe.
“These scholarships are a positive and practical investment in building the teaching profession,” Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president Correna Haythorpe said in a statement.
“At a time when public schools are facing a chronic workforce crisis, financial support for teaching students is vital, especially for those from under-represented backgrounds.”
Haythorpe said it was important to note that the scholarships come with a commitment to teach in public schools and early learning settings.
“This ensures that public education, where the vast majority of Australian children learn, benefits directly from this investment,” she said.
“Teacher shortages will not be solved with a single initiative, but this program is an important part of the broader National Teacher Workforce Action Plan. The focus must remain on public settings, where the need is greatest and where scholarships will have the biggest impact.”
The AEU noted that almost 2,000 teaching students have already received scholarships in the first two rounds, with strong participation from regional, rural and remote communities. The union said this demonstrates the demand for targeted financial support and the importance of continuing programs that remove barriers to entering the profession.
“Public schools are experiencing acute shortages in every state and territory. Teachers are working longer hours, managing escalating student needs, and facing intensifying pressure,” Haythorpe said.
“Scholarships like these make it more possible for students and those looking to change career paths to choose teaching as a profession.”
Haythorpe reiterated that, in addition to scholarships, governments must continue to properly invest in public schools, and look to address the excessive workloads and negative workplace conditions that are driving people away from teaching.
“We welcome these scholarships, but they must sit alongside long-term structural reform to address the barriers to teaching. Attracting teachers is important, but keeping them in the classroom is essential.”
In a statement released following Jason Clare’s announcement, the body representing Australia’s Catholic education sector said its schools should be included in the scholarship program.
“This is a worthwhile initiative that supports the growth of the teaching profession,” National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) executive director Jacinta Collins, said.
“But to truly address Australia’s teacher shortage, incentives must apply across all school sectors. Catholic schools serve diverse communities — including many in regional and remote areas — and should be included in programs designed to boost the national teacher workforce.”
Collins said Catholic education stands ready to work with the government to ensure future rounds of teacher workforce programs support a more consistent, sector-wide approach.
“A national challenge requires national solutions. We encourage the government to expand eligibility so Catholic school communities can participate fully in this important initiative.”