Bachelor of Education (Primary)
at Macquarie University, New South Wales.
A four-year NESA-accredited primary teaching degree at Macquarie's North Ryde campus. It is listed as a new course, so no lowest selection rank has been reported yet. The published minimum selection rank for 2027 is 70, and the assumed knowledge is Mathematics Standard 2 (Band 4).
Lowest selection rank
Macquarie has not published a lowest selection rank for this course for recent intakes. That usually means too few ATAR-based offers were made to report one, or that selection also uses a portfolio, audition, interview or other criteria. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Study areas include arts in education, Australian education in social and historical contexts, critical thinking, English language and literacies, play-based learning, health and physical education, humanities, inclusive education and Indigenous education. Students below Band 4 in Mathematics Standard 2 must complete the unit Mathematics for Primary Teachers.
Placement and industry experience
Students observe in schools in first year and complete professional experience placements in second and third years. Fourth-year work-integrated learning lets students take paid employment as conditionally accredited teachers.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as primary teachers in government, Catholic and independent schools after registration with the relevant state teacher regulator.
- Common destinations include classroom teaching from Foundation to Year 6, leading-teacher roles and curriculum coordination.
- Many alumni progress into deputy and principal positions, departmental policy roles or specialist literacy and numeracy support.
Professional accreditation
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Typical first jobs
- Classroom teacher (K-6) in NSW Department of Education public schools
- Classroom teacher in NSW Catholic Schools (Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong and others)
- Independent school classroom teacher (Anglican, Uniting Church and AIS network)
- Casual or temporary teacher building toward permanency
- Rural and remote teacher under NSW Beyond the Line program
- Learning support or special-education teacher (with appropriate stream)
Graduate starting salary
$80,000 - $88,000 per year
Source: education.nsw.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
The degree is accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), and students must demonstrate suitability for teaching. Graduates teach in NSW primary schools; the fourth-year model gives many a paid start in schools before graduation.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy working with K-6 children and managing busy classrooms
- Those willing to live and teach in rural NSW for placement (or full-time work)
- People comfortable being observed and evaluated by supervising teachers
- Students who can balance theoretical readings with practical lesson preparation
- Those committed to a regulated profession with mandatory accreditation
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike formal lesson planning and reflective writing
- Those uncomfortable being observed in their work for extended periods
- Anyone hoping to avoid the LANTITE literacy and numeracy test
Related courses at Macquarie
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Macquarie University website and on UAC before applying.