• Charles Sturt University has received more than $4.3M in federal funding for a new, innovative teaching program
• The Aspire to Teach program will financially support 100 school support staff in New South Wales, Tasmania and the Northern Territory to become qualified teachers
• The program builds on the success of the Collaborative Teacher’s Aide Pathway to increase teacher supply across Australia

Charles Sturt University has received more than $4.3 million to help fund the upskilling of teaching support staff through the new Aspire to Teach program.

The funding was secured through the Federal Government’s High Achieving Teachers Program, and will support teachers’ aides and other school support staff across New South Wales, Tasmania and the Northern Territory to advance their careers by transitioning into much needed teaching roles.

The Aspire to Teach program will offer a total of 100 participants more than $18,000 each to complete their studies with Charles Sturt through an employment-based pathway into qualified primary and secondary school teaching roles.

Associate Professor in the Charles Sturt School of Education Dr Libbey Murray said the program’s primary focus is to offer an accessible, supported, flexible route to a teaching qualification, while allowing participants to continue living and working in their schools and communities.

“Aspire to Teach is an innovative response to the teacher shortage, particularly for those in regional and remote areas,” Dr Murray said.

“By harnessing the potential of the existing teaching support workforce, we’re cultivating a pipeline of classroom-ready, high-achieving teachers who already have deep connections with their local schools and communities.

“We’re excited to continue seeing our students succeed and further support underrepresented groups in education.”

The program, funded over three years, will offer 91 places in NSW, six in Tasmania, and three in the Northern Territory, building on the success of the University’s existing Collaborative Teacher’s Aide Pathway and the Grow Your Own Teacher Training and Grow Your Own Local Teacher Pipeline programs funded through the NSW Department of Education.

“These programs have already attracted and retained over 900 motivated, knowledgeable and passionate school support staff into initial teacher education programs over the past two years,” Dr Murray said.

“The programs have significantly contributed to the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan, prioritising the improvement of teacher supply and strengthening initial teacher education.

“The new model specifically ensures participants are not only well-prepared for the classroom but are also more likely to remain in their communities and in the teaching profession, addressing critical teacher shortages across the country.”

Participating students will receive a Commonwealth Supported Place at Charles Sturt University, $15,000 in financial support toward their studies, $3,200 in placement support payments, flexible course delivery options to continue working in their support role while studying, and access to a close-knit community of practice including support from school mentors and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Support staff at Eligible Placement Schools in rural, regional and remote areas are being prioritised to ensure future teachers are connected with their communities.

This approach will ease workforce transition, reduce relocation costs and foster better retention in the profession by ensuring graduates are familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities of their schools.

Eligible schools will include all sectors (government, Catholic and Independent) and program participants will have opportunities to complete placements at the school they’re already working at as well as at a different school close to their home.

The Aspire to Teach program encompasses all Charles Sturt teacher education degrees, including master’s degrees for those participants who have already completed a bachelor’s degree.

Applications to participate in this program open soon. For more information, contact aspiretoteach@csu.edu.au.