These courses need a personal statement

All applicants must submit a personal statement, equivalent to the UAC Teaching Questionnaire, if applying for one of the following teaching courses:

  • Bachelor of Business Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (BBus MTeach)
  • Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (BComm MTeach)
  • Bachelor of Economics Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (BEcon MTeach)
  • Bachelor of Education Futures Master of Teaching in Primary Education (BEd MTeach)
  • Bachelor of Science Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (BSc MTeach)
  • Master of Teaching in Primary Education (MTeach)
  • Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (MTeach)
To fulfil the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and Federal Government's request to include academic and non-academic selection criteria for all students applying for entry into a teaching degree. The criteria of the personal statement will allow you to demonstrate whether you possess the right combination of qualities for being an effective teacher. This task gives you the opportunity to describe your aspirations for becoming a teacher, your leadership, community and/or learning development experiences and time-management and problem solving skills. 

What you'll need to write

Write a minimum of 100 words in response to the following question: 

‘What has inspired you to become a teacher and why do you think teaching is a good career choice for you?’ 

When writing your response, consider including:

  • Who and what has inspired you to become a teacher
  • The types of skills and abilities you will bring to teaching
  • Any leadership or community activities you have engaged in. 

Some examples to guide your responses might include:

School experience

  • co-curricular participation (eg arts, sports, debating, social justice)

  • projects (eg curriculum projects, science fairs)

  • leadership experiences (eg student leadership positions, arts, sports)

  • support of other learners (eg peer mentoring, coaching, buddy programs)

Work experience

  • employment history and roles

  • employment involving children or young people

  • work-based training undertaken

  • work-based training provided

Volunteer and community experience

  • volunteer or community experience (eg community groups, parish/church groups, cadets, lifesaving, fundraising, clubs)

  • community learning and training experiences (eg Guides, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh Award, St Johns)

Personal talents, interests and abilities

  • elite performance (eg athletics, creative arts, other areas)

The disadvantage that you have overcome

  • social, cultural or economic

  • geographical – remote and rural

  • personal and health.