Teacher cover letter for Australian schools: when you need one, what to write, and a full example

When you need a cover letter (and when you don't)

If the ad doesn't mention one and you're applying through a government portal, a cover letter is a small bonus at most. Spend your time on the selection criteria. For Catholic and independent schools, which often shortlist from the letter and resume, the letter does much more work.

The one-page structure

Full example: graduate primary teacher

EXAMPLE COVER LETTER (fictional, about 300 words). Dear Selection Panel, I am applying for the Classroom Teacher (Primary) position, reference 000000. I am a 2026 Bachelor of Education (Primary) graduate with NESA provisional accreditation and approval to teach. I was drawn to your school by the explicit-teaching approach to literacy described in your School Plan, which matches the way I was trained and the way I want to teach. On my final 10-week placement in a Year 2 class of 24, I taught a daily structured phonics block and used weekly checks to regroup students. Of the 7 students who started below the benchmark on the school's screening, 5 met it by the end of my placement. I designed my Teaching Performance Assessment around this sequence, and my supervising teacher now uses my tracking sheet. Your school's large EAL/D enrolment also interests me. During my degree I tutored EAL/D students in Years 3 to 6 for two years, and I completed a unit on language-rich teaching that I would bring to your oral language program. Beyond the classroom, I have coached junior netball for four years and would be glad to support your school sport program. I am available from Term 1 2027, full-time or part-time, and I am happy to teach any stage. My responses to the selection criteria and my resume are attached. Thank you for considering my application. Yours sincerely, [Name]— Example only: a fictional, realistic letter. Change every detail to your own experience and the school you're applying to.

Full example: experienced secondary teacher

EXAMPLE COVER LETTER (fictional, about 260 words). Dear [Principal's name], I am applying for the permanent Mathematics teacher position advertised on [date]. I have taught mathematics for seven years, most recently as a Year 9 coordinator at a regional secondary college, and I hold full registration. Your focus on lifting senior mathematics participation is where I can contribute most. Over three years I helped grow our Year 11 Mathematical Methods enrolment from one class to two by redesigning the Year 10 extension pathway with two colleagues and running information evenings for families. Results held up as numbers grew: our Methods average study score rose over the same period. I also bring experience in wellbeing. As Year 9 coordinator I introduced a restorative check-in process with our wellbeing team, which cut repeat behaviour referrals by about a third in a year. I'd be keen to contribute to your house system and STEM club, which I ran at my current school. I am available from the start of Term 1 and open to teaching junior science. My selection criteria responses and resume are attached, and my principal is my first referee. Yours sincerely, [Name]— Example only: a fictional, realistic letter.

What makes a teaching cover letter work

Cover letters for casual and rural roles

For relief work, send a short email to the person who books CRTs. Include your registration, subjects and year levels, which days you can work, how far you'll travel and your mobile. Attach a one-page CRT resume. See how to get casual teaching work.

For rural and remote jobs, say plainly that you want to live and work in the area and for how long. Schools and communities worry about short stays. Mention any incentive you're applying for only after you've made the case for yourself. See rural teaching incentives and teaching in remote communities.

Researching the school in 20 minutes

Then call the contact person named in the ad. A two-minute call to ask what the school most needs from this appointment often gives you the opening line of your letter, and the panel will remember that you called.