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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Education

    The education and training sector makes a significant contribution to the South Australian economy. Major reforms from early childhood through to higher education, and increased VET investment, coupled with persistent skill shortages, are expected to drive continued demand for a skilled workforce.

    Top 10 occupations in demand

    The state of the industry now

    $8.6Bcontribution to the economy in 2024-25
    5.7%of Gross State Product
    86,400people employed
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    Interested in developing skills for jobs in education and training?

    What’s driving workforce demand?

    Skills needs in the education and training sector are evolving in response to workforce reforms, changing community expectations and increased focus on children’s development and wellbeing.

    In early childhood education, there is growing emphasis on trauma-informed practice, Aboriginal cultural safety, inclusive education and educator wellbeing. These priorities are reflected in professional learning requirements and workforce initiatives supporting the rollout of three-year-old preschool.

    The VET and higher education sectors continue to be a focus of state and national investment, supporting the skilled workforce needed for South Australia’s economic growth and resilience.

    Employment in the VET sector is expected to grow by 21 percent to 2033, yet VET continues to have a lower success rate in filling vacancies compared to other education sectors. [4]

    One of the challenges is an ageing workforce, with many educators entering VET later in their careers – often after working in industry or other areas of education.


    Major government initiatives driving workforce demand

    A series of reforms and investments in the education sector – from early childhood to higher education – are driving a shift in workforce needs, including:

    • the historic National Skills Agreement (NSA), a $2.3 billion commitment over five years (2024-2028), a joint funding arrangement between the Australian Government and South Australian Government to support delivery of vocational education and training, aligned with current and emerging workforce needs.
    • the Adelaide University merger, which combined the strengths of the University of Adelaide with the University of South Australia and opened in 2026, is a major focus for international student recruitment and partnered research
    • the phased introduction of three-year-old preschool across the state from 2026
    • development of additional Technical Colleges, designed for students in years 10, 11 and 12, to help them start their career (or continue studying) in a growing industry.

    Skills in demand

    A range of education and training occupations are forecast to experience strong demand. Persistent shortages are evident in occupations such as preschool, primary and secondary school teaching, while demand is also expected for university lecturers, education aides and counsellors.

    Top 10 occupations in demand and shortage status

    Occupation*Level of future demandYears in shortage**Training pathway
    Primary School TeachersStrongShortage since 2022Higher Education
    Secondary School TeachersStrongShortage since 2022Higher Education
    Education AidesStrongNo shortageVET
    Early Childhood EducatorsStrongShortage since 2021VET
    University Lecturers and TutorsStrongNo shortageHigher Education
    CounsellorsStrongNo shortageHigher Education
    Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) TeachersStrongShortage since 2021Higher Education
    Special Education TeachersStrongShortage since 2022Higher Education
    Private Tutors and TeachersStrongNo shortageHigher Education
    Vocational Education TeachersStrongShortage since 2022VET or Higher Education

    * As defined in Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2022 Australian Update

    ** According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage Lists (for South Australia)

    Skill shortage definition: Shortages exist when employers are unable to fill or have considerable difficulty filling vacancies for an occupation - or significant specialised skill needs within that occupation - at current levels of remuneration and conditions of employment and in reasonably accessible locations. Jobs and Skills Australia 2024.

    Workforce development plan

    To grow the pipeline of future teachers and trainers, the South Australian Government is implementing several initiatives.

    South Australia’s Early Childhood Workforce Strategy

    This strategy is a blueprint to grow and improve the quality of the early childhood workforce, with a range of direct actions, including financial support through the QualifySA in Early Childhood program for people undertaking qualifications in early childhood education. [5]

    Support to develop skills or undertake training

    TAFE SA Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care

    The TAFE SA Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care – a National Skills Agreement (NSA) initiative – is responding to the needs of the early childhood education sector.

    The centre will improve knowledge and skills for existing workers, attract new workers and improve access to educational pathways.

    Learn more

    Flying Start Pathways Program

    This program connects aspiring early childhood educators and pre-primary school teachers with opportunities to build skills for a career in the sector.

    It supports the rollout of three-year-old preschool by offering integrated career progression and support services for people who want to work in the sector and need additional support, including ‘taster’ courses and a diploma bridging course.

    Learn more

    Fee-free TAFE and VET options

    A number of education and training related courses, including pathways to higher education, are covered under the Fee-Free TAFE or vocational education and training (VET) pathways.

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    Strengthening the VET workforce

    This initiative, under the National Skills Agreement, supports new VET educators, upskills experienced VET educators, and builds capability to provide foundation skills support in the adult community education workforce.

    Learn more

    References

    [4] https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/vet_workforce_study_2024.pdf accessed 10 April 2026

    [5] South Australian Government, https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/home-page-featured-stories/growing-workforce, accessed 8 April 2026