Tasmania’s Change to Teaching pilot has attracted double the applications it can accept, with 80 people putting their hands up for just 40 places only weeks after the call went out.
Education Minister Jo Palmer announced the strong response at Elizabeth College on Monday, saying the program had clearly resonated with mid-career professionals considering a switch to the classroom.
“The response we’ve seen from people wanting to take part in the pilot has been incredible,” Palmer said.
The joint initiative between the state government and the University of Tasmania is backed by $8.5 million in state funding along with federal money.
It targets professionals and graduates who have considered teaching but faced barriers such as location or cost.
Places are split across the north west and south of the state.
Participants will be placed in classrooms from the start of 2027, earning a part-time salary while completing a two-year Master of Teaching through the university.
Palmer said applicants so far include engineers, scientists with backgrounds in water management and environmental science and business graduates.
“By creating a practical, paid pathway into teaching, we are opening the door for more Tasmanians to make the transition into a rewarding career in education and bring new perspectives into the classroom,” she said.
Palmer said current teacher vacancies sit at around 1% of the workforce.
The program also reflects recommendations from the 2024 Independent Review of Education in Tasmania, which called for increasing teacher numbers through employment-based pathways.
Doctor Amanda Moran, Manager of Career Pathways and Development at DECYP, said the demand for teachers is ongoing.
“Our STEM teachers are always in demand,” Moran said.
She said participants who bring real-world professional experience can inspire students and offer perspectives beyond traditional career pathways.
Those who decide teaching is not for them can leave the program without financial penalty.
Professor Louise Starkey from the University of Tasmania said the redesigned Master of Teaching had been built specifically for the Tasmanian context, integrating theory and practice.
Applications remain open until the end of August.
Palmer said while the initiative is a pilot, early signs are encouraging.
“But my gosh, are we off to a ripper start,” she said.
The government will assess the program throughout its two-year run before deciding whether to make it permanent.
