How to become a teacher in South Australia

Becoming a teacher in South Australia follows the national pattern: an accredited teaching degree, then registration, then a job. What is specific to SA is the registering body (TRB SA), the SA-only Working with Children Check, and how the Department for Education hires and pays you.

Step 1: get an accredited teaching qualification

You need an initial teacher education program accredited for registration, either a four-year bachelor's degree or a relevant degree followed by a two-year master of teaching. SA universities offering teaching degrees include Flinders University and Adelaide University. Before graduating you also need to pass LANTITE, the national literacy and numeracy test. See teaching degrees in Australia and LANTITE explained.

Money while you study

• Commonwealth Prac Payment: $338.60 a week in 2026 during eligible mandatory placements, means-tested. See the Commonwealth Prac Payment.
• Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships: $10,000 a year, up to $40,000 for undergraduates or $20,000 for postgraduates, with a $2,000 top-up for a remote final placement. See Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships.
• SA Department for Education programs: the department runs the Amy Levai Aboriginal teaching scholarships and pre-service and graduate programs. Amounts change, so check the DfE careers pages.

Step 2: register with TRB SA

You must be registered with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia before you teach. The application fee is $218 and the annual fee is $137 from 1 February 2026. New graduates usually start with provisional registration and move to full registration after 200 days of teaching. Full details are on teacher registration in SA.

Step 3: get an SA Working with Children Check

You need a current SA Working with Children Check from the Department of Human Services Screening Unit. SA does not accept interstate checks, so even an experienced interstate teacher needs a new one. More on working with children checks for teachers.

Step 4: your first job and first pay

Government schools hire through the Department for Education. Many graduates start on temporary contracts or as relief teachers (TRTs) booked through ClassCover, and permanency often comes faster in country schools, which also pay a zone allowance. Catholic and independent schools hire directly.

If you are changing careers, see career change to teaching. If you are not yet registered but a school needs you, TRB SA can grant a Special Authority to teach, paid at $74,083.