Why Are So Many Teachers Quitting Right Now?

The Scale of Australia's Teacher Shortage Crisis

Australia is grappling with one of the most severe teacher shortages in the developed world, particularly in public schools. According to recent OECD data, 58.1 percent of principals in public schools report teacher shortages, more than double the OECD average of 24.9 percent. For lower secondary schools, 41.9 percent of principals say shortages are hindering the quality of instruction, nearly double the OECD figure of 23.1 percent. This crisis is exacerbated in disadvantaged schools, where 66.9 percent of principals face shortages, and in regional areas, reaching up to 63 percent.

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) reports that as of 2023, there were approximately 553,000 registered teachers, but 19 percent were not actively employed in teaching roles. Attrition is a key driver: 39 percent of teachers intend to leave the profession before retirement, up from previous years, with 75 percent citing workload as the top reason. Early career teachers are hit hardest, with up to 50 percent leaving within their first five years in some estimates. Projections warned of over 4,000 vacant positions nationwide in 2025, a number that appears to have materialized amid ongoing resignations.

In Western Australia alone, 1,279 teachers resigned in the 2024-25 financial year, the highest since 2005. New South Wales saw public school vacancies drop from 2,460 in 2022 to 962 in 2025 thanks to targeted recruitment, but the underlying issues persist. These figures paint a picture of a workforce under strain, with schools increasingly relying on out-of-field teaching—49 percent of secondary teachers teach at least some subjects outside their expertise, rising to 65 percent in remote areas.

Unmanageable Workloads: The Number One Reason for Quitting

Excessive workload stands out as the primary culprit behind teachers quitting. Australian teachers work an average of 46.5 hours per week, surpassing the OECD average of 40.8 hours. During term time, full-time classroom teachers log a median of 50 hours weekly, with 78 percent exceeding 45 hours. Only about half of this time—21 to 25 hours—is spent on face-to-face teaching; the rest goes to administrative tasks, marking, planning, and supervision.

The AITSL Teacher Workforce Survey reveals that 63 percent of those planning to leave blame administrative workload specifically, while 75 percent point to overall workload pressures. This includes non-teaching duties like yard supervision (9-11 hours weekly) and teamwork. Post-pandemic, these demands have intensified, with teachers in public schools bearing the brunt due to under-resourcing. Unions like the Australian Education Union (AEU) highlight that decades of funding shortfalls have left educators overstretched, leading to a cycle of burnout and departure.

In vocational education like TAFE, similar issues prevail. A 2026 AEU survey of 1,696 TAFE teachers found widespread workload intensification and staff shortages, stretching the workforce to breaking point.

Surging Violence in Classrooms Eroding Teacher Morale

Physical and verbal aggression against school staff has skyrocketed, contributing significantly to resignations. In Queensland state schools, occupational violence and aggression incidents nearly quadrupled from 5,748 in 2022 to 20,833 in 2025, averaging 57 reports daily. Over 13,000 teacher injuries were recorded in 2025 alone, with Brisbane's metro south region seeing more than 5,300 cases. While most required only first aid, eight staff were hospitalized.

National studies echo this trend, with principals reporting rising assaults from students and harassment from parents. A Monash University study in early 2026 revealed an alarming surge in violence against public school principals. The ABC analysis links this to retention woes, as unions demand safer classrooms in pay negotiations, prompting strikes.

Teachers describe feeling like "punching bags," with student behavior cited by 42 percent as a reason to quit. Remote and disadvantaged schools face heightened risks, further deterring placements.

Teacher Pay: Competitive on Paper, Insufficient in Practice

Average teacher salaries in Australia range from $100,000 to $110,000 annually, placing them among the higher-paid in the OECD. However, when adjusted for hours worked and responsibilities, the picture dims. Starting salaries hover around $80,000 in many states, rising to $130,000 for experienced educators. Western Australia offers top pay at up to $141,000 for level 3.2 teachers, while Queensland reaches $135,000 at peak.

Yet, 52 percent of intending leavers cite insufficient pay. Compared to professions requiring similar qualifications—like engineering or accounting—teaching lags when factoring 50+ hour weeks and unpaid overtime. Relative salary benchmarks have declined over decades, fueling attrition.

The Mental Health Crisis Among Educators

Burnout and stress are rampant, with 64.6 percent of Australian teachers reporting high stress levels—far above the OECD's 43.4 percent. Over 80 percent say their job negatively impacts mental health, the second-highest in the OECD. UNSW research shows teachers experience depression, anxiety, and stress at three times the national average.

Nine out of ten teachers face severe stress, with nearly 70 percent deeming workloads unmanageable. Early childhood educators, needing 21,000 more professionals nationally, report similar exhaustion amid demand surges from policy expansions.

Disproportionate Impact on Regional and Disadvantaged Schools

Regional and remote areas suffer most, with 67 percent of disadvantaged school principals reporting shortages. Schools lose specialist subjects like languages and arts, and support for disabled students. Frequent principal turnover erodes community trust. The Guardian reports highlight how this widens achievement gaps between rich and poor students.

Government Responses and the National Action Plan

The federal government's National Teacher Workforce Action Plan, agreed in 2022 and updated in 2025, targets supply, initial teacher education, retention, and profession elevation. Initiatives include scholarships, workload reduction pilots, and explicit teaching courses. States like NSW credit pay deals and recruitment officers for vacancy reductions. WA offers regional incentives. However, critics argue for more funding to public schools and comprehensive workload reforms.

Emerging Solutions and Retention Strategies

Successes offer hope. NSW's 2023 pay agreement boosted retention. Mentoring and reduced face-to-face time aid early career teachers, with 55 percent receiving formal induction. AI tools are embraced to cut admin, per global surveys.

• Implement workload audits and support staff hires.
• Enhance safety training and behavioral specialists.
• Offer competitive incentives for hard-to-staff areas.
• Promote work-life balance via flexible hours.
• Invest in mental health resources.

Applications to teaching degrees rose 6.5 percent for 2026, signaling recovery potential.

Outlook for Australia's Classrooms

Without bold action, shortages could persist, impacting K-12, early childhood, and TAFE. Yet, with rising ITE interest and targeted plans, reversal is possible. Stakeholders urge full public school funding, respect for the profession, and systemic change to stem the exodus and rebuild a sustainable workforce.