How to become a School Principal

Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the educational and administrative aspects of schools, including physical and human resources.

Main tasks

• Establishes and maintains organisational structures that support the achievement of a school's vision and values
• Ensures the delivery of comprehensive education programs to all students
• Ensures a respectful, safe and productive learning environment for students and teachers
• Implements systems and procedures to monitor and report on a school's performance
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with all members of the school community
• Implements initiatives, practices and priorities of relevant education authorities
• Contributes to the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations
• Manages the selection, professional development and assessment of staff members
• Ensures efficient and effective operations, including the management of finance, people, facilities, risk, compliance and major projects
• May teach students

Ways in

• University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 37 universities in Australia
• 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

• Assistant 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 a School Principal?

Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees.

Is a 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 a School Principal?

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

Will AI change the work of a 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