How to get a permanent teaching job in Australia: the routes that actually work in 2026

NSW: how permanent jobs are filled

The NSW Department uses two methods, in order. Central appointment is tried first. If a vacancy isn't filled that way, it goes to local choice.

Local choice: the routes you can work towards

• Open merit selection: advertised on IworkforNSW and the weekly JobFeed. Permanent jobs close on Wednesdays. You apply with responses to the specific criteria (see NSW targeted selection criteria).
• Temporary teacher to permanent: if you've had the required continuous service at the school, the principal can appoint you without advertising. If several temporary teachers qualify, the principal invites a one-page cover letter and a resume of no more than two pages, interviews you and assesses you against the position.
• Closed merit and top of list: only for schools exempt from central appointment after five consecutive appointments.

The quickest NSW path is often a temporary job at a rural or remote school with high transfer points, where a year of service can be enough. Those schools also offer incentives, including a $20,000 to $30,000 a year Rural Teacher Incentive at eligible schools. See rural teaching in NSW.

Victoria: fixed-term to ongoing

In Victorian government schools ongoing employment is the standard mode. Under the VGSA, an eligible fixed-term employee is offered ongoing employment when a suitable ongoing position would otherwise be advertised at their school.

If more eligible fixed-term staff than suitable jobs exist, the principal runs an internal merit process. Unsuccessful applicants can lodge a grievance with the Merit Protection Boards within 14 days. Ongoing offers come with probation of up to 12 months, or up to 6 months if you've had 12 months' service in the previous 24. A break over a school vacation doesn't break continuity. Visa holders can't be converted if that conflicts with their visa.

Keep your Applicant Pool profile current on School Jobs Vic. Principals can fill direct vacancies from the pool without advertising. Our Victorian key selection criteria guide covers advertised jobs.

Western Australia: permanency through country and metro programs

Other states

Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT each have their own permanency rules, often with rural and remote incentives and transfer systems. We haven't yet verified their conversion rules, so check the Department's careers site and your union. The same principles apply everywhere: get registered, take temporary or contract work where schools are hiring, and apply on merit when jobs are advertised. See rural teaching incentives for each state's packages.

Stacking the odds: a 12-month plan

Temporary vs permanent: what you're giving up meanwhile

Casual relief work is the usual entry point if you can't get a contract yet. See how to get casual teaching work, and the interview questions guide for when the call comes.

Mistakes that keep teachers temporary

• Limiting your approval codes. In NSW, central appointment matches on approved-to-teach codes. If you can teach a second subject, get it approved.
• Moving schools every term. Temporary-to-permanent rules reward continuous service at one school. Hopping resets the clock.
• Letting registration or training lapse. Victoria's conversion rule needs current VIT registration; NSW checks accreditation and mandatory training.
• Skipping feedback. If you miss out on merit selection, ask the convenor (NSW) or principal (VIC) what would have changed the result.
• Applying only to the most popular schools. Metro schools with low transfer points have the most applicants and need the longest service for conversion.

Being permanent also changes what you can do next. It's the base for transfers, promotion applications and, in many cases, better borrowing terms. Our teacher career progression guide shows the steps after that.