Bachelor of Education (Primary)
at Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria.
A four-year primary teaching degree at Hawthorn that meets Victorian Institute of Teaching requirements. Swinburne reports the lowest selection rank as not published (N/P). VCE prerequisites are a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL (or 30 in EAL) and at least 20 in any mathematics.
Lowest selection rank
Swinburne 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
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
Students learn to engage children across the primary curriculum using current teaching techniques and technology, designing learning experiences through collaborative group activities and adapting them to students' diverse needs.
Placement and industry experience
Supervised school-based placements are a mandatory part of the degree and a professional accreditation requirement.
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
- Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Typical first jobs
- Classroom teacher in Victorian government primary school
- Classroom teacher in Catholic Education Melbourne or independent school
- Rural and remote teaching positions across Victorian regional networks
- Casual relief teacher (CRT) on Victorian state register
- Specialist teacher (literacy, numeracy, EAL/D, PE, music)
- Out-of-school-hours or early childhood educator (with extra qualifications)
- Tutoring and educational publishing roles
Graduate starting salary
$78,000 - $89,000 per year
Source: jobsandskills.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
VIT recognition lets graduates register as teachers across Australia and work in government, Catholic and independent primary schools.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy working with kids and have done volunteer or tutoring work
- Patient communicators who can break ideas down clearly
- Organised people who can plan a week's lessons in advance
- Resilient students who handle the emotional load of classrooms
- Strong writers and confident speakers
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike public speaking or being in front of a class
- People who want a desk-based corporate role
- Those uncomfortable with extensive placement requirements
- Students who struggle with LANTITE-level literacy or numeracy
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Swinburne University of Technology website and on VTAC before applying.