• Charles Sturt University is offering two free microcredentials for out-of-field mathematics and science teachers
• The microcredentials are funded through the Australian Government’s Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education
• They will be delivered online from March to October 2025

Charles Sturt University is helping upskill ‘out-of-field’ teachers with two free science and mathematics microcredentials.

The microcredentials are funded through the Australian Government’s Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education and are designed for out-of-field teachers of mathematics and science, or teachers looking to add an additional teaching area.

With Australia’s growing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualified teacher shortage projected to affect up to 70,000 students annually by 2030 and out-of-field teaching rates for maths reaching as high as 32 per cent, these free microcredentials will provide a much-needed solution.

Lecturer in Mathematics Education in the Charles Sturt School of Education Dr Janelle Hill said supporting teachers to become fully qualified in STEM subjects was one of the most impactful ways to contribute to student success and long-term career outcomes in science and technology.

“We know that subject matter expertise directly influences the quality of education and the aspirations students have in STEM fields,” Dr Hill said.

“These microcredentials are about equipping teachers with the confidence, skills and pathways to positively shape our future generations.”

Each microcredential will run from March to October 2025 and requires approximately 10 hours of study per week.

Delivered entirely online with live lectures and interactive tutorials, participants will earn credit toward Charles Sturt’s Bachelor of Educational Studies, with the option to specialise in mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology.

The microcredentials available are:

• Science for out-of-field teachers: this course strengthens science knowledge and pedagogical skills, especially valuable in smaller schools where subject-specific expertise may be limited.

• Mathematics for out-of-field teachers: tailored for teachers seeking a qualification in maths, this pathway enhances subject knowledge, boosts teacher wellbeing and confidence, and fosters better student performance in mathematics.

Charles Sturt University’s Project Lead of Partnerships and Microcredentials Ms Georgie Stuart highlighted the importance of addressing the critical gaps in the teaching workforce as experienced teachers move into retirement.

“These microcredentials will diversify the skills of participating teachers, empowering them with the subject matter expertise to teach across multiple key learning areas,” she said.

“A teacher with a multidisciplinary skillset is particularly valuable in regional, rural and remote schools where teacher numbers are typically lower and a specialised teacher for specific key learning areas is not always viable.

“By supporting teachers to become fully qualified in key subject areas, we are also working to break the vicious cycle of out-of-field teaching, which affects student participation, engagement and achievement, teacher attrition and stress on schools.”

These microcredentials are open to any accredited teachers based in Australia. Twenty-five dedicated scholarships are on offer for each microcredential and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so anyone interested is encouraged to apply early.

For more information on enrolling in these microcredentials, please the website.