Resources for Teachers

Career stage

Teacher →
School leader.

Every state runs its own programs, banding system and merit-selection process for moving from the classroom into middle leadership, then deputy, then principal. Smaller and remote schools are almost always the first principalship — Queensland even has a dedicated Small School Principal pathway for Band 1 and 2 sites.

A school leader walking through a sunlit Australian school corridor
Middle leadership first

Almost no one jumps straight from teacher to principal — HOD, Coordinator or Executive Teacher first.

Do the program

Most regulators expect you to complete an aspiring-principals program before substantive appointment.

Start small or remote

Small School / remote / IPS appointments are the standard entry point to the principalship.

NSW Department of Education

New South Wales

First step: Apply for Assistant Principal or Head Teacher via the merit-selection process on JobsNSW.

AP ~$140k · DP ~$160k · Principal $165k–$220k depending on school size
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Head Teacher / Assistant Principal (merit-selected).
  2. 2.Deputy Principal (merit-selected, often after 3+ years as AP/HT).
  3. 3.Principal — assessed via the Principal Credential or direct merit selection for the school's level (P1–P6).
Leadership programs
  • Aspiring Principals Leadership Program

    12-month program run by the School Leadership Institute (SLI) for teachers preparing for the principalship.

  • Middle Leadership Development Program

    For Head Teachers and Assistant Principals stepping into school-wide leadership.

Source: NSW DoE School Leadership Institute + Crown Employees (Teachers) Award.

Department of Education Victoria

Victoria

First step: Move into Leading Teacher or Learning Specialist via expression of interest at your school.

Leading Teacher ~$125k · AP $135k–$160k · Principal $145k–$235k by range
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Leading Teacher or Learning Specialist (school-based EOI).
  2. 2.Assistant Principal (statewide merit selection via Recruitment Online).
  3. 3.Principal — appointed by the School Council after a panel process, school classified Range 1–5.
Leadership programs
  • Bastow Institute — Unlocking Potential

    Flagship aspiring principals program (12 months) run by Bastow.

  • Local Leaders / Leading Mathematics / Leading Literacy

    Middle-leader programs for Learning Specialists and Leading Teachers.

Source: Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership + Victorian Government Schools Agreement.

Department of Education Queensland

Queensland

First step: Apply for Head of Department, Head of Curriculum or Master Teacher via Smart Jobs.

HOD ~$145k · DP $150k–$175k · Principal Band 1 ~$140k → Band 12 ~$215k+
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Head of Department / Head of Curriculum / Master Teacher.
  2. 2.Deputy Principal (merit selection, school-banded).
  3. 3.Principal — start at Band 1 or 2 via the Small School Principal pathway, or Band 5+ direct via merit selection for larger schools.
Leadership programs
  • Small School Principal Preparation Program

    Targeted course preparing teachers to lead Band 1 and Band 2 (small / rural / remote) state schools — often the first principalship for QLD teachers.

  • Aspiring Principals Pathway

    Multi-stage program for those pursuing larger Band 5+ schools, run by the Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELi).

  • Take the Lead

    Middle-leader program for Heads of Department and aspiring Deputy Principals.

Source: QLD DoE Aspiring Leaders Strategy + Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELi).

Department of Education WA

Western Australia

First step: Step into a Level 3 Classroom Teacher role or apply for Program Coordinator / HoLA.

L3CT ~$130k · DP $155k–$175k · Principal $160k–$215k by school level
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Level 3 Classroom Teacher or Program Coordinator / Head of Learning Area.
  2. 2.Deputy Principal (Level 4) via state merit selection.
  3. 3.Principal — schools rated Level 3 to Level 6 by size and complexity; remote / IPS schools often the entry point.
Leadership programs
  • Future Leaders Program

    WA Institute for Educational Leadership program for aspiring deputies and principals.

  • Leadership Institute Principal Preparation

    Required preparation for substantive principal appointments.

Source: WA Institute for Educational Leadership + DoE Public Service Award.

Department for Education SA

South Australia

First step: Apply for a Coordinator (B1–B4) position in your school via the EDi recruitment portal.

Coordinator $115k–$135k · Deputy $135k–$160k · Principal $145k–$215k by band
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Coordinator (B1–B4).
  2. 2.Deputy Principal / Assistant Principal (D1–D6, school-banded).
  3. 3.Principal (B1–B9) — start at small / rural sites and progress to larger complexity bands.
Leadership programs
  • Principals as Literacy Leaders / Numeracy Leaders

    Targeted middle-leader programs for site improvement leaders.

  • Aspiring Leaders Program (ALP)

    Pathway program run by the Department for aspiring Deputy Principals and Principals.

Source: SA DfE Aspiring Leaders Program + SA School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement.

Department for Education, Children and Young People

Tasmania

First step: Apply for an Advanced Skills Teacher or Assistant Principal position.

AST ~$115k · AP/Deputy $130k–$155k · Principal $140k–$195k by school band
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Advanced Skills Teacher / Assistant Principal.
  2. 2.Deputy Principal (merit selection, school-banded).
  3. 3.Principal — schools banded by size; rural and remote schools often the first appointment.
Leadership programs
  • Tasmanian Leaders Program

    Cross-sector leadership program supported by the Department for emerging school leaders.

  • Principal Preparation Program

    Departmental program for shortlisted aspiring principals.

Source: DECYP Tasmania Leadership Framework + Teaching Service Award.

ACT Education Directorate

Australian Capital Territory

First step: Apply for an Executive Teacher (SLC) role via the ACT Government Jobs portal.

Executive ~$140k · Deputy ~$165k · Principal $180k–$220k
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Executive Teacher (SLC).
  2. 2.Deputy Principal (SLB).
  3. 3.Principal (SLA) — assessed via Directorate panel; smaller schools often the entry point.
Leadership programs
  • Future Leaders Program

    Directorate program for aspiring school leaders, with cohort-based modules.

  • Principal Preparation Program

    Required preparation pathway before substantive principalship in ACT public schools.

Source: ACT Education Directorate Leadership Strategy + ACT Public Sector Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement.

NT Department of Education

Northern Territory

First step: Apply for a Senior Teacher or Assistant Principal position — often available in remote and bush schools first.

Senior Teacher ~$130k · AP/Deputy $145k–$170k · Principal $155k–$210k + remote allowances
Pathway
  1. 1.Classroom Teacher → Senior Teacher / Assistant Principal (often via remote postings).
  2. 2.Deputy Principal (school-banded merit selection).
  3. 3.Principal — schools graded T1–T6 by size and remoteness; first principalships are usually T1/T2 remote schools with strong remote loadings.
Leadership programs
  • Remote Aspiring Principals Program

    Targeted program preparing teachers for principalship of remote and very remote NT schools.

  • Leadership Learning for Principals

    Ongoing development for substantive principals across NT contexts.

Source: NT DoE Leadership Framework + NT Public Sector Teachers Enterprise Agreement.

From principals who got there

"Don't wait to be tapped on the shoulder. Volunteer for a curriculum lead, run a whole-school initiative, then put your hand up for a coordinator or HOD role. The aspiring-principals program is the easiest box to tick — the leadership evidence behind it is the hard part, and it takes years."