With the 2026 Australian Teacher Workforce Survey opening today, AITSL is calling on registered teachers and leaders to help build the evidence needed to shape future policy, strengthen support and improve the profession.
Delivered annually through the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) initiative, in partnership with Teacher Regulatory Authorities (TRAs), the Teacher Survey captures the real experiences of teachers at every career stage, from early-career teachers through to leaders. It provides the most comprehensive national picture of Australia's teaching workforce, informing workforce planning, policy development and teacher support.
AITSL Chief Executive Officer, Tim Bullard, said the survey is one of the most important opportunities teachers have each year to influence the future of the profession.
“Now in its ninth year, the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey continues to provide one of the country's richest sources of evidence on the teaching profession.
"We now have 2 years of national data on teacher wellbeing, giving us an important starting point for understanding the experiences of Australia's teachers. But meaningful change is built on long-term evidence. Four to 5 years of consistent data will give us a much stronger evidence base.
"That's why it's so important that registered teachers and leaders continue to take part in the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey each year. Every response helps build a clearer picture of the profession and ensures the decisions shaping the future of teaching are informed by the voices of those who know it best."
Recent Australian Teacher Workforce Survey findings, National Trends: Teacher Workforce, reveal some encouraging insights. For instance, 71% of teachers hold permanent roles, indicating stability within the workforce. Additionally, 65% of teachers have over 10 years of experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge to schools. It's also promising that 52% of non-teaching registered teachers are willing to return to the profession, presenting opportunities to attract great talent back into classrooms.
The survey explores teachers' experiences across workload, wellbeing, working hours, career intentions, professional support and job demands. Information provided through the survey is anonymised before analysis, ensuring teachers can confidently share their experiences while protecting their privacy.
"The teacher workforce data assists workforce planners, employers and policymakers in planning for and meeting the growing needs of Australia’s education system. It can also be used to identify emerging issues and enable states and territories to guide the development and implementation of supports that address the specific challenges of their teachers," said Mr Bullard.
Survey invitations will be distributed by Teacher Regulatory Authorities as the survey opens progressively across each state and territory between August and November.
All registered teachers are encouraged to complete the survey when they receive their personalised invitation. Click here to access more information on the Teacher Survey and to find out when the survey opens in your state.