#13 worldwide for education
Teaching placements can be arranged by Deakin
VIT-accredited teaching degree
Why choose teaching (primary) at Deakin
If you are motivated to make a genuine impact on future generations, Deakin's Master of Teaching (Primary) is for you. Graduate in demand and classroom-ready with 60+ days professional placements built in and arranged by us. The course also combines online and on-campus learning, making it easier to balance work and study. Engage with topics such as diversity and inclusion, teacher inquiry, context and leading-edge research. On campus, you will have access to specialised teaching spaces like the immersive Nyaal learning precinct in Geelong, a 360-degree theatre.
Ranked #3 in Australia and #13 worldwide for education and educational research, we are also the only university to embed the Berry Street Education Model, using trauma informed strategies in all initial teaching degrees. Learn how to manage safe, healthy and engaging classrooms and build positive relationships that support academic success. This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
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Leading internationally
Deakin is ranked #3 in Australia and #13 globally for education and educational research.
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Placement built in
Complete 60+ days of professional placement and one-on-one mentorship in our network of 1,400 schools, plus a Teaching Performance Assessment benchmarked to national standards.
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Australian leader
Graduate with a Berry Street Education Model certificate from the only university to embed these recognised trauma-informed strategies into all initial teaching degrees.
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Achieve work-life balance
Deakin’s blend of online and on-campus learning means you can balance work, study and personal development.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Prepare for registration as a primary teacher and build transferable skills for careers in schools, learning centres, corporate education, policy and community settings.
Primary school teacher
Educate children between the ages of 5 and 12 using a prescribed curriculum to develop students’ literacy and numeracy skills, and foster social, physical and emotional growth.
- $103k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 9,200
More teaching roles
Policy officer
Research education issues, analyse evidence and consult stakeholders to develop policy advice, briefings and recommendations that support organisational or government decision-making.
- $113k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 8.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Professional areas you may work in
- Arts and museums
- Learning centres
- Corporate learning and development
- Counselling
- Youth work
“Placements are honestly one of the most rewarding parts of the course as you get to put all of your classroom work and study into practice. Deakin also really supports its students whilst on placement.”
EmilyMaster of Teaching graduate
Stories that start here
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 31 January 2027
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
To become a primary teacher in Australia, you must complete an accredited initial teacher education qualification and meet the relevant teacher registration requirements in the state or territory where you intend to work. Deakin's Master of Teaching (Primary) is typically completed in two years of full-time study. International students should check the course and registration requirements that apply in their intended location of employment.
The Master of Teaching (Primary) takes two years full time, however, you may be able to study some units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree. Your exact timeframe can change with part-time study, trimester choices or recognition of prior learning, so check the course structure before planning your enrolment.
The Casper test is an online situational judgement assessment used by some initial teacher education courses to assess non-academic attributes for entry. For Master of Teaching (Primary), check Deakin’s current non-academic entry requirements and Casper test information before applying, so your test timing matches the intake you want.
Teaching does not always require a masters degree, but if you already hold a bachelor degree, a Master of Teaching is a common pathway into teaching. Deakin’s Master of Teaching (Primary) combines curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and professional experience placements, supporting the pathway to primary teacher registration.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Teaching (Primary)?
Be classroom-ready in two years, building the knowledge, skills and experience needed to teach primary years confidently. Learning is structured, purposeful and grounded in current research.
Laying the foundations
Explore the curriculum
Engage with key learning areas of primary schooling, developing content knowledge and evidence-based approaches to teaching across diverse subjects.
Understand how children learn
Examine the cognitive, developmental and social dimensions of learning to inform your emerging classroom practice.
Learn in the classroom
Begin supervised placement in a primary school setting, connecting coursework to teaching contexts.
Transitioning into the profession
Strengthen teaching practice
Apply research to your pedagogy, refining your capacity to plan, teach and evaluate.
Teach with inclusion and cultural awareness
Engage with frameworks for decolonising education and supporting the wellbeing of all learners.
Graduate
Undertake extended professional placements and the Teaching Performance Assessment, graduating ready for registration and employment.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Teaching (Primary) students must pass 16 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
To be completed in the first year of study:
Units
Professional readiness units*
(*please note unit rules for order in which these must be completed)
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as a nationally accredited course and students are eligible to apply for registration with VIT upon graduation. If you intend to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate you may be required to provide further information.
Applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory, carefully.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Students will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.
Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.
Inherent requirements
It is expected that all students will be able to abide by, and ensure their behaviour is in accordance with the Deakin University initial teacher education inherent requirements.
Immunisations
Immunisation and/or vaccination requirements will be communicated by the Professional Experience Office in line with the Department of Education and Training's directions at the time of placement.
For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience Office.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
This course includes at least 60 days of supervised professional experience and requires students to successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA) in their final year. If a student does not pass the DTPA, they must seek guidance from the Course Director.
Graduation from the course confirms that students have met the Graduate Teacher Standards and achieved all Core Content learning outcomes outlined in Schedule 2.
This is a graduate entry teaching course that introduces research-based practice throughout the core professional studies units (a total of six credit points), which includes demonstrating their application of knowledge and skills through their 60 days of professional practice in education-based contexts e.g. primary schools. As part of the series of core professional studies units, students are also required to complete a capstone assessment in the final year to demonstrate their evidence-based professional practice informed by data analysis and scholarship of teaching and learning.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
* An optional accelerated course structure is available in this course, allowing students to complete the course in 1.5 years duration by enrolling into 4 consecutive trimesters. Students undertaking the accelerated course structure are required to enrol in Trimester 3. All students are advised to seek course advice prior to attempting the accelerated course structure from Student Central. Students have until the start of Trimester 2 of Year 1 to decide whether to enrol into the accelerated course structure.
International students on a student visa who complete the course earlier than the registered 2-year course duration will have their early completions reported to the Department of Home Affairs, resulting in their CoEs updating to 'Finished' status. International students who complete the course early are required to either enrol into another CRICOS registered course that is of the same AQF level as their visa was granted for or depart Australia within 28 days from the date of their early completion reporting. International students are advised to seek visa advice by contacting a Registered Migration Agent on the MARA website.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Contribute to critical, professional debates about education theory; local, national and global trends; curriculum; Indigenous and intercultural perspectives; and legal, professional and ethical codes and standards, and critique and apply these understandings to inform their own practice. |
| Apply critical thinking, pedagogical knowledge and effective interpersonal, oral, written and multimodal communication skills to demonstrate empathy, foster learner agency, establish positive and inclusive learning-friendly environments, and build effective professional partnerships and trust with families/caregivers, teaching colleagues and other stakeholders. |
| Act in accordance with the ethical and legal frameworks and policy that inform responsible and ethical practice in digital environments, and critically discuss, evaluate and employ a range of appropriate digital literacies, resources and technologies for professional/community/learner engagement and agency. |
| Contribute to critical and professional debates about education trends, theory, policy and research and use these understandings to critically reflect on and evaluate own teaching practices and diverse learning data sets to make informed evidence-based judgements for enhancements and innovations to improve learner agency and outcomes. |
| Collaboratively and independently use evidence and research to identify, prioritise and creatively respond to problems that arise in professional learning and practice. |
| Engage autonomously and responsibly with critical self-reflection, self-assessment and feedback from others, to inform their own learning, plan for professional development and to balance academic demands with self-care /self-management. |
| Actively and collaboratively participate in, and/or lead learning communities, involving learners, families, community members, colleagues and the broader profession to deepen understandings of education and to optimise learning and learner well-being. |
| Apply culturally responsive, critically reflective and embodied self-knowledge of decolonial praxis in the design, delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning that honours and respects the educational expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and diverse learners, families and communities. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2025
- Award granted
- Master of Teaching (Primary)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- E778
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$4,909
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best.
Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship
The Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program provides up to $20,000 to new postgraduate teacher education students. In return for a scholarship, recipients need to teach in government schools or government-run early learning settings after finishing their degree.
Victorian Government paid teaching placement
Take your teaching placement to a regional or remote Victorian Government school and receive $100-200 per day through the Victorian Government Pre-service Teacher Placement Grant.
If you're eligible, the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) can help with the costs of completing a mandatory placement as part of your course.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 31 January 2027
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
For information on the application process and closing dates, visit how to apply. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
From 2026, all accredited Initial Teacher Education programs in Australia must deliver mandated Core Content requirements aligned with the AITSL Graduate Teacher Standards, which must be demonstrated within an accredited program for teacher registration eligibility. As the Master of Teaching (Primary) has been redesigned to meet these national requirements, Recognition of Prior Learning is not available for the Primary teaching units in this course. You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.