Teach for Australia (TFA) is a not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne. After receiving Australian government support through a multi-cohort agreement and establishing a partnership with the University of Melbourne in 2009, the first cohort of supported Associates began teaching in Victoria, the first state to partner with Teach for Australia.
At TFA, their mission is to fight educational inequity by recruiting and developing people from non-teaching backgrounds (graduates, early career professionals, career changers) to teach across Australia. Program participants work exclusively in schools serving low-socioeconomic communities, working in the regions that need the most support. Based on eligibility selection TFA offers two pathways for development of applicants.
The Leadership Development Program is open to applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than teaching. The Undergraduate Teaching Program is open to applicants who have completed Year 12 or equivalent. During their two year development period participants receive a base salary, 1:1 coaching and mentoring. After graduation the ‘new teachers’ will be placed anywhere in Australia where their skills are most needed (preferences considered). They will be supported by a more experienced teacher in their new location.
Since 2010 the TFA Leadership Development Program has received almost 16,900 applications, 1,600+ Associates commenced teaching, reached 650,000+ students and have 290+ partner schools.
The Girgensohn Foundation is supporting the recruitment of talented STEM candidates to join the program. TFA identified a desperate need for STEM education due a critical teacher shortage in low-income and disadvantaged communities in rural and remote areas.
An independent government review released in September 2025 confirmed TFA’s Leadership Development Program unique impact on schools facing disadvantage –
- Attracting and rapidly developing exceptional teachers
- Boosting teaching capacity where it is needed most
- Bringing in talent that would not otherwise teach
- Delivering an unmatched leadership dividend and system contribution