- New research by AITSL reveals nearly one in three Australians (31%) say a teacher influenced their current job or profession.
- The findings come ahead of World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October, where AITSL is asking Australians to Shine a Light on the teachers who helped shape their future.
Media release
Australia, 29 October 2026 – Research released today by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) reveals nearly one in three Australians (31%) say a teacher influenced their current job or profession, showing the impact of teachers can extend well beyond the classroom.
Half of Gen Z (49%) say a teacher significantly or somewhat shaped their career, and Millennials (48%) count a teacher among the two biggest influences on their career choices. For younger generations, teachers are still proving more influential than media personalities and public figures, with Gen Z more than twice as likely to name a teacher (18%) as their biggest career influence versus a celebrity or influencer (7%).
Four in ten Australians (40%) say a teacher changed how they felt about a subject, with nearly a third (28%) stating a teacher made them fall in love with a certain subject. Beyond academic outcomes, a boost in confidence is one of the most appreciated impacts, with 44% saying the most impactful thing a teacher did for them was make them feel confident in their abilities.
Award-winning author Jaclyn Moriarty, whose latest novel is Time Travel for Beginners, reflects on how her teachers helped turn a lifelong love of writing into a career.
“I always loved writing stories, but it was my English teachers – Mrs Watts and Mrs Mullally – who made me believe I could truly become a writer. They read my stories to the class and encouraged me to enter writing competitions, helping me believe that something I loved could become a career.
“When I was in Year 12 and unsure about what to do next, my next-door neighbour, Mrs Robinson, who was a school principal, asked me about my dream career. When I told her I wanted to be a writer, she encouraged me to pursue it,” said Jaclyn.
But despite the role teachers can play, almost one in four Australians (23%) feel teachers’ impact on students’ lives isn’t fully recognised today. While 31% have thanked a teacher for the difference they made, a further 22% would still like the chance to.
Tim Bullard, CEO of AITSL, said: “Teachers can shape more than what we learn in schools and early childhood settings. They can spark an interest or give someone the encouragement to pursue a path they may not have otherwise considered. This World Teachers’ Day, we want Australians to Shine a Light on the teachers who helped shape who they are and where they are today. We are urging Australia to come together and recognise the great work teachers do across the country.”
With 45% of Australians still able to recall a specific “lightbulb moment” with a teacher years later, AITSL is marking World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October, by inviting Australians to Shine a Light on teachers across the country, with a free downloadable Celebration Kit and Media Wall showcasing social media posts from all over Australia.
To get involved, visit: wtd.edu.au
-ENDS-
For more information, contact:
Aleksandra Jevremovic, 0451 653 672 or [email protected]
Notes to editor: Research conducted by PureProfile among a nationally representative sample of 1,005 Australians, September 2026.
About AITSL
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) provides national leadership for the Australian, state and territory governments in promoting excellence in the profession of teaching and school leadership. We aim to celebrate, support and empower teachers and school leaders to thrive, so that every child and young person can achieve their full potential. AITSL is predominantly funded by the Australian Government.
