Tasmania Pays Career Changers to Become Teachers

Imagine getting paid to study for your dream job while already working in the field you love. That's exactly what Tasmania is offering 40 career changers who want to become teachers.

The Change2Teaching program starts in 2027 and tackles a real problem. Teacher burnout has hit Tasmania hard, with the number of educators quitting within their first five years nearly doubling between 2020 and 2024.

Lauren Shivvaan knows the struggle of switching careers. She worked in law and public service before discovering her passion for teaching in her late 30s. Now she teaches legal studies at a high school in Burnie and couldn't be happier.

"Through university tutoring, I realized I loved to teach and I should have done teaching all along," Shivvaan said. Her real-world experience became her superpower in the classroom.

The new program partners Tasmania's Department of Education with the University of Tasmania. Participants will split their time between studying for a Masters of Teaching and working in classrooms across the state's northwest and south regions.

"We are really looking for those folk who would like to change their careers and really give back," said Mary Ann Hunter, the program's director. By the end of two years, participants will work independently in classrooms.

The best part? Everyone who completes the program gets offered a permanent teaching position. They'll also receive extensive mentoring and support throughout their journey.

Why This Inspires

Programs like this prove that career changes don't have to mean financial sacrifice. Damien Viney, a 43-year-old father of two, spent over a decade in Tasmania's cider industry before joining a similar program in 2024.

"I would not have been able to support my family through the more traditional university route," Viney explained. Now he teaches Year 9 math and science, bringing his real-world knowledge into every lesson.

The Australian Education Union has welcomed the initiative after good consultation with stakeholders. Education Minister Jo Palmer calls it an "exciting opportunity" for scientists, carpenters, journalists, and professionals from any field.

These career changers bring something special to schools. They've lived outside academia, faced workplace challenges, and developed skills that translate beautifully into teaching. Their students get more than textbook knowledge. They get mentors who understand the real world.

Shivvaan put it perfectly: "I knew who I was. I had the background and real-world experience behind me." Tasmania's classrooms are about to get a whole lot richer.