How to become an Assistant School Principal

Also called: Deputy School Principal

Plans, organises and supports the educational and administrative aspects of schools, including physical and human resources.

Main tasks

• Maintains a respectful, safe and productive learning environment for students and teachers
• Ensures appropriate allocation of staff to teaching programs, including the engagement of casual relief teachers
• Prepares and supervises class timetables
• Supervises and coordinates the work of senior curriculum or year level coordinators
• Mentors staff in the development, implementation and assessment of learning programs
• Manages the development, implementation and review of specific school policies, programs and operations
• Implements systems and procedures to monitor and report on a school's performance
• Provides support to School Principals when required
• May teach students

Ways in

• University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 37 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management (BSB60320)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 29,000 people work in this job group now, and about 33,300 are projected by 2035. (+15%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• School Principal
• Children's Education and Care Service Director
• Aged Care Manager
• Director of Nursing / Midwifery
• Medical Administrator
• Paramedic Manager

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Assistant School Principal?

Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management.

Is an Assistant School Principal a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 15% by 2035, from about 29,000 to about 33,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Assistant School Principal?

Usually. 97% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Assistant School Principal?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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