Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales.
A four-year secondary teaching degree at Strathfield and Canberra (ranks shown are for Strathfield). NSW applicants need three HSC Band 5 results including English, plus any 2 units of mathematics at Band 4. Includes at least 80 days of professional experience. AITSL-listed program.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the ACU Bachelor of Education (Secondary) for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 67.60 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 67.10 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 67.95 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 66.10 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Students combine study in one or two secondary teaching areas with education studies in curriculum, pedagogy and learning. A mathematics major or minor assumes Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 or 2. At least 80 days of professional experience in schools and community settings are embedded across the degree.
Placement and industry experience
A minimum of 80 professional experience days are completed in a range of school and community settings. Students must obtain a Working With Children Check before their first placement.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered high-school teachers in NSW Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and independent schools after NESA registration.
- First-year jobs typically include permanent and casual teaching positions across Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan high schools, plus rural NSW and Victorian secondary schools.
- Many alumni progress to head of department, deputy principal and principal roles, or move into curriculum advisory roles with NESA and Catholic Education.
Professional accreditation
- AITSL accredited programs list
- Meets secondary teacher registration requirements in all states and territories
Typical first jobs
- Secondary teacher in NSW Department of Education public schools
- Secondary teacher in NSW Catholic schools
- Secondary teacher in NSW independent schools
- Casual or temporary teacher building toward permanency
- Rural and remote teacher under NSW Beyond the Line program
- Subject coordinator and head of department within five to ten years
Graduate starting salary
$80,000 - $88,000 per year
Source: education.nsw.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
The program is on AITSL's list of accredited programs and meets the teacher education requirement for registration as a secondary teacher in all states and territories. Graduates teach in Catholic, government and independent schools.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students passionate about a specific teaching subject and high-school learners
- Those willing to live and teach in rural NSW for placement or work
- People who can balance subject-area study with pedagogy theory
- Students happy to be observed and evaluated by supervising teachers
- Those committed to NESA accreditation requirements
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike formal lesson planning and reflective writing
- Those uncomfortable managing teenage classroom behaviour
- Anyone hoping to avoid the LANTITE pre-graduation test
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Education (Secondary) as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at ACU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Australian Catholic University website and on UAC before applying.