How to become a Lecturer

Lecturers are specialists in their academic field who teach tertiary level students. They are mainly employed by universities and private providers, and have a high level of knowledge on their specialist subject. Lecturers are also often involved in further research and academia.

If you’re passionate about a particular subject, are articulate and confident, and want a job that will let you meet people of all walks of life, becoming a Lecturer could be ideal.

About you:

Excellent communicator
Passionate and dedicated
Friendly and approachable
Great time management skills
Knowledgeable in a specific area
Adaptable and flexible
Committed to further study
Reliable and trustworthy

The job:

Preparing lecture and tutorial content
Delivering lectures, either face-to-face or online
Writing and marking assessment
Answering questions and providing guidance
Attending faculty meetings and conferences
Conducting further research in your chosen field
Participating in academic planning and curriculum setting
Supervising postgraduate and research students

Lifestyle Impact: Low

Part Time opportunities: Low – around 27% of Lecturers work part-time (source: gov.au).
Average hours for full-time workers: 46 hours a week, which is just above average (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
Lecturers’ salary (average) $105,000* per year (source: seek.com.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience.
Future career growth: Very strong (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
You will be doing most of your work indoors, in lecture theatres, classrooms, and offices.

Lecturers are most in demand in these locations:

This is a large occupation, with around 37,300 people working as Lecturers in Australia in 2021 (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au). There is greatest demand for Lecturers in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. Most Lecturers work in the Education and Training industry.

How to become a Lecturer in Australia

To work as a Lecturer in Australia, you will need a degree in your chosen area of specialty – postgraduate studies are highly regarded. Work experience in your field is also a bonus.

Step 1 – Complete Year 12 with a strong focus on English and other relevant subjects.

Step 2 – Complete a relevant undergraduate degree, depending on your specialty.

Step 3 – Once you’ve finished your undergraduate degree, complete further postgraduate qualifications, particularly at a Master- or Doctorate-level.

Step 4 – You may also like to consider further qualifications in teaching or education.

Step 5 – Get relevant industry experience.

Step 6 – Continue with research and learning throughout your career.

Find out more here –

https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do Lecturers do?

Lecturers teach tertiary level students in a specific subject or area of knowledge. They also often conduct research and support fellow research candidates.

Which industries employ Lecturers?

Lecturers are mostly employed in the Education and Training industry.

What options are there for career progression?

Your role as a Lecturer may change throughout the years, being more teaching-focused at one point and more research-focused at another. You may also find it easier to find permanent, more stable roles the longer you have been working.

Do I need to go to university to become a Lecturer?

Yes, you will most likely need postgraduate qualifications in order to become a university Lecturer. You may be able to work as a Lecturer after gaining extensive professional experience, but this will take many years and a high level of knowledge.

Where do Lecturers work?

Lecturers commonly work in universities and other private providers, the majority of which in Australia are located in capital cities. However, there are also some universities outside major areas, giving you some flexibility.

What are 3 things I can do right now to help me become a Lecturer?

If you’re in high school and you’d like to find out if a career as a Lecturer is right for you, here’s a few things you could do right now:

Start thinking about which area you’re passionate about – you’ll be spending many years studying, researching, and teaching this subject, so it needs to be something you care about a lot.
See if you can find work experience in education. This will help you see if you might enjoy the work, and can help you start building important contacts for the future.
Talk to a Lecturer to see what a day in their life is like. If you don’t know anyone, see if you can watch videos or documentaries about a career as a Lecturer.