Tertiary Educators

How to become a Vocational Education Teacher

Also called: TAFE Lecturer, TAFE Teacher, VET Trainer and Assessor

Teaches one or more vocational subjects within a prescribed course of study at a TAFE institute, RTO or other training institute to students for vocational education and training purposes.

Main tasks

Identifies the various requirements of students and creates effective learning options to meet these needs
Liaises with individuals, industry and education sectors to ensure the provision of relevant programs and services
Plans, designs and develops course curriculum and method of instruction
Advises students on courses and related matters
Teaches students using teaching aids, including presentation of lesson materials, discussions, workshops, laboratory sessions, multimedia aids and computer tutorials
Marks and grades students' assessment tasks, and provides feedback to students about their progress
Maintains records of students' progress, attendance and training activities
Consults with education managers, Librarians, School Counsellors and other support staff

Ways in

University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 37 universities in Australia
TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122); Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (TAE50122); Certificate IV in Auslan (PSP40818); Diploma of Auslan (PSP51018); Graduate Certificate in Digital Education (TAE80316); Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Leadership (TAE80213); Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice (TAE80113); Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management (CUA50320)
Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

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.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Vocational Education Teacher?

Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.

How much does a Vocational Education Teacher earn in Australia?

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

Is a Vocational Education 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 a Vocational Education Teacher?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.

Will AI change the work of a Vocational Education 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