How to become an Adult Literacy or Numeracy Teacher

Official title: Adult Literacy / Numeracy Teacher

Teaches literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to adults in a range of settings, including adult education facilities, workplaces, libraries, community organisations, correctional facilities and homes.

Main tasks

• Assesses learners' needs, develops personalised learning plans and goals, and identifies barriers to learning
• Identifies core literacy, numeracy and digital skills that underpin vocational courses and workplace tasks
• Customises teaching methodologies to suit different types of learners and correspond to their learning goals
• Delivers contextualised teaching and learning programs and resources
• Conducts classes, tutorials, presentations and practical activities to teach literacy, numeracy and digital skills to individuals and small groups
• Ensures interactions with learners and the learning programs being delivered are respectful, culturally appropriate and trauma informed
• Assesses learners' progress and adapts programs and resources to improve outcomes
• Informs learners of their progress, and prepares reports for Managers and leaders of organisations, institutions and communities
• Provides advice to other parts of learners' networks such as vocational teachers, work supervisors and/or case managers as required
• Conducts audits of literacy, numeracy and digital skills within organisations, institutions and communities

Ways in

• University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 37 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice (TAE80113); Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Leadership (TAE80213)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $110,656 a year
• About 35,200 people work in this job group now, and about 42,000 are projected by 2035. (+19.2%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Adult Literacy or Numeracy Teacher?

Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice; Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Leadership.

How much does an Adult Literacy or Numeracy Teacher earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $110,656 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Adult Literacy or Numeracy Teacher a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2035, from about 35,200 to about 42,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Adult Literacy or Numeracy Teacher?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice; Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Leadership.

Will AI change the work of an Adult Literacy or Numeracy Teacher?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04