Education workforce stability improves, but challenges remain
Australia’s Education and Training sector is beginning to show signs of recovery in workforce stability, according to a new report by recruitment platform JobAdder. Drawing on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia, the report analyses job vacancy patterns between November 2023 and May 2025.
Job vacancy trends reveal mixed picture across sector
The analysis reveals that while some industries within education are seeing improved staff retention and fewer job vacancies, many are still struggling to attract and keep educators in long-term roles. The report highlights a pattern of under-hiring, where fewer new positions are being created or filled, potentially masking deeper workforce pressures.
Retention improves but recruitment hurdles persist
Although the sector appears more stable on the surface, underlying issues such as high workloads, burnout, and limited career progression opportunities continue to impact recruitment and retention. Education leaders warn that without addressing these root causes, stability gains may be temporary.
Sector urged to address underlying pressures
Experts and sector advocates are calling for targeted strategies to boost recruitment, provide better support for existing staff, and create clearer pathways for career advancement. Addressing these challenges is seen as essential for building a resilient, high-quality education workforce capable of meeting future demand.
The report concludes that while early signs of stability are encouraging, sustained investment and policy reform are required to ensure the education sector can attract, retain, and support skilled professionals over the long term.
