Australia’s teachers embark on a profound journey – from the spark of inspiration in initial teacher education (ITE), through the daily realities of classrooms and leadership roles, to the lasting impact they leave on generations of learners. Understanding and supporting that journey requires a clear, connected picture of the profession.
The Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) initiative links ITE data with teacher workforce data across Australia, building a national picture of the teaching workforce from ITE through all career stages, across all states, territories and sectors. It includes ITE data from 2005 to 2023 on commencements, enrolments, completions, completion and attrition rates, and detailed breakdowns by student and study characteristics, such as age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, socio-economic status, basis of admission, ATAR, mode of attendance, program type and remoteness.
The ATWD brings these diverse data sources together into a single national resource, tracking the profession from early career through to retirement. Policymakers, employers, researchers and others use this evidence to gain deeper insights into what Australia’s teachers and school leaders do, think and feel, informing decisions that better support the profession.
The ATWD tracks teachers over time, revealing who enters the profession, who stays, and how careers evolve. It shows graduate registration and teaching rates, the mix of classroom teachers, casuals and leaders, and pressures at different career stages.
“By closely examining what teachers are telling us, workforce planners can take targeted action in the areas that matter most,” AITSL CEO Tim Bullard told The Educator.
“The value of the ATWD is clear as it allows us and governments the ability to monitor change over time and ensure policies are grounded in what teachers are experiencing.”
At the heart of the ATWD is the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey, which brings teachers’ day-to-day experiences to life. When viewed nationally and over time, the data reveal clear patterns — showing where early support improves retention, where pressures are most acute by role or location, and how reforms are influencing the workforce.
This longitudinal insight moves beyond assumptions and towards evidence-informed action. It highlights the distinct challenges faced by teachers in regional and metropolitan schools, the different support needed at each career stage, and where mentoring, workload relief, or alternative pathways can have the greatest impact.
“Australia’s teachers are dedicated and highly skilled,” Bullard said. “The more we learn about the profession, the more we can do to support them, making it more likely they will stay in their teaching career for longer.”
Bullard emphasised that teachers’ voices through the survey are “at the heart of the ATWD.”
“Every response builds a richer picture of what it means to teach in Australia, guiding policies that strengthen the profession and ensure Australia’s children and young people benefit from a thriving, well-supported workforce,” he said.
“Continued participation in the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey will only deepen these insights, strengthening the ATWD as the foundation for sustaining excellent teaching in Australia.”
Bullard said the growing body of workforce data is helping policymakers better understand teachers’ experiences across the system.
“Together, this shared understanding can shape policies that honour teachers’ journeys and support the children and young people they serve.”
Click here to learn more about the ATWD initiative and published data via the ATWD’s portal.
The above article was supplied to The Educator by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.