Primary Education

Course overview

Primary school teachers educate children in years 1 to 6 across the range of Australian curriculum learning areas.

This initial teacher education degree provides the qualification required to teach primary school students in the Australian Government, Catholic and Independent school sectors.

Graduates are eligible for registration as a teacher in all Australian states and territories, and in countries that recognise Australian teaching qualifications.

Career outcomes

Careers

• Primary school teacher
• Curriculum designer
• Policy development officer
• Education administration officer
• Trainer, mentor or coach
• Special programs officer

Industries

• Primary education (government and non-government)
• Early education (government and non-government)

Professional accreditation and recognition

This course is accredited in Western Australia by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia. 

Course structure

What you’ll learn

This course takes a student-centred approach to teaching and learning, encouraging analytical and critical thinking. Core education units comprise the bulk of this degree, but you will also select three units that allow you to specialise in an offered area of the primary school curriculum.

All units are mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, ensuring you graduate with the relevant competencies required to teach successfully.

Throughout your studies, you will build a professional digital portfolio that showcases your teaching abilities to potential employers.

Teaching placements

As part of the course you will complete four professional work experience placements in schools. Totalling 760 hours of supervised teaching practice, these placements are undertaken in full-time blocks, regardless of your study mode. You may be able to undertake a rural, interstate or overseas placement.

Your supervised teaching practice will comprise:

• a two-week full-time block and a three-week full-time block in the second year of your course
• a four-week full-time block in the third year of your course
• a block of one school term (typically 10 weeks) in the fourth year of your course.

To be considered for admission to this course, you must submit a non-academic statement with your application.

Detailed course structure and unit information

For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.

Entry requirements

To study this course, you must meet the entry criteria:

• course ATAR, or equivalent, demonstrated via an accepted entry pathway
• any course-specific requirements
• English language requirement.

Guaranteed entry
If you achieve the guaranteed ATAR/selection rank for this course and meet all other entry requirements, you’re guaranteed a place in this course.

Entry pathways

Course-specific requirements

You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.

Study credit and support

You may be able to receive study credit or support based on your previous experience or personal circumstances.

Get credit towards your degree

You may be able to receive credit for recognised learning (CRL) from past study or professional experience, which could reduce the time it takes to finish your course.

Find specific details about CRL for this course on the Handbook.

Special consideration

If your studies were affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for special consideration when applying to Curtin. This process is available to new applicants only and allows your application to be assessed in light of those circumstances.

Check if you’re eligible for special consideration.

Additional information

Application Requirements