/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/images/Coffs-harbour_student-group_20220616_33-147kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/services/counselling/images/RS21533_English-College-Student_20191210_DSC_6961-117kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/scholarships/images/STEPHANIE-PORTO-108-2-169kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/arts-and-humanities/images/RS20958_Chin-Yung-Pang-Andy_20190309__79I5562-960X540.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/experience/images/SCU-INTNL-STUDY-GUIDE-280422-256-72kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/dep-site-assets/component-library/screenshots/online-1X1.jpg)
Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
-
Start Date
March, July, October
-
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
-
Location
Gold Coast, Online
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
-
ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
GradDipTeach
-
Course code
1108004
-
Credit points
96
-
Equivalent units
8
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
-
Start Date
March, June, October
-
Duration
1 year full-time
-
Location
Gold Coast, Perth
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
-
ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
GradDipTeach
-
Course code
1108004
-
Credit points
96
-
Equivalent units
8
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Get an early start on your teaching career with the Graduate Diploma of Teaching. This course provides a flexible pathway for graduates of other disciplines who wish to become a teacher in either a primary or secondary school setting. The course develops evidence-based practice for a career where you can make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people.
You can choose a specialisation in either Primary Education or Secondary Education. The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is self-paced, with access to all content and resources online and includes 45 days of supervised teaching practice undertaken in schools.
Students of this course can apply for provisional registration (Graduate Teacher) with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA), while enrolled in their last term of study. Applicants to the TRBWA are encouraged to review the requirements for Provisional Registration.
The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is not accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) but offers articulation into a NESA-approved Master of Teaching to enable full eligibility for registration as a teacher, once complete.
Graduates of this course receive eight units of credit towards the Southern Cross University Master of Teaching.
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/education/images/Testimonial-Aside_804X480_Education-and-Teaching.jpg)
“I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and decision-making in education. Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development. Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts. |
GA2: Creativity Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and decision-making in education. |
GA3: Ethical practice Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development. Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts. Demonstrate advanced teamwork skills by interpreting and transmitting knowledge in professional educational contexts. Apply an advanced understanding of social, Indigenous and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all persons in local and international educational contexts |
GA5: Lifelong learning Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate advanced teamwork skills by interpreting and transmitting knowledge in professional educational contexts. |
GA7: Cultural competence Apply an advanced understanding of social, Indigenous and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all persons in local and international educational contexts |
The Graduate Diploma of Teaching consists of 45 days of professional placement within an Australian primary or secondary school.
Professional experience provides opportunities for you to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and schools or early childhood settings and to demonstrate your independent and professional capabilities as teachers.
Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Students enrolled in the online Graduate Diploma of Teaching (GDoT) who live in New South Wales (NSW) are not permitted to undertake placements in NSW government schools; they can only complete their placements in non-government NSW schools. Additionally, online GDoT students residing in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) cannot undertake placements in either government or non-government schools and must complete their placements in neighbouring states, such as non-government schools in NSW. GDoT students are encouraged to review the placement restrictions and limitations specific to their state or territory.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) | 117390J |
| Perth | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) | 117390J |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
Graduates of this course can apply for provisional registration (Graduate Teacher) with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA), while enrolled in their last term of study. Graduates are encouraged to review the TRBWA requirements for Provisional Registration.
In New South Wales, at the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching, students MUST be enrolled in a nationally accredited Master of Teaching course, such as the Southern Cross University Master of Teaching, to be eligible for NSW conditional accreditation. For all other states and territories, students are encouraged to refer to their state or territory teacher regulatory requirements for provisional teacher registration.
Some graduates may pursue work in a range of education and non-education settings including roles such as education consultant, community education leader, learning designer, tutor, teacher aide, literacy or numeracy coach.
The Southern Cross University Graduate Diploma of Teaching is formally recognised by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Applicants to the TRBWA are encouraged to review the requirements for Provisional Registration.
The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is not accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) but offers articulation into a NESA-approved Master of Teaching to enable full eligibility for registration as a teacher, once complete.
Note: Graduates of this course receive eight units of credit towards the Southern Cross University Master of Teaching.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Applicants’ qualifications must meet the requirements for admission for:
- Secondary specialisation: Graduate study (Bachelor, or equivalent) as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Program Standard 3.7 (Subject Content Knowledge); or
- Primary specialisation: Graduate study (Bachelor, or equivalent) as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Program Standard 3.7 (Subject Content Knowledge), AND NSW Band 4 in Mathematics or equivalent.
- Must undertake the UAC or QTAC non-academic entry requirement test.
To meet the minimum English Language requirement for admission to this course, an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
a. have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2; or
b. have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (AQF7 or higher) of at least 3 years of full-time study in English in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland; or
c. have achieved within (2) years of the proposed start date, International Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test score minimum of 7.0 across all bands or approved equivalent as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma Teaching, students must complete 9 units (the equivalent of 96 credit points) comprising:
- 1 Specialisation (96 credit points) in Primary or Secondary; and
- 1 Professional Experience unit (0 credit points); and
- Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements website, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. Preparatory coursework components must be completed prior to the commencement of placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why study Education at Southern Cross University
Top 400 worldwide
We're rated in the top 400 universities worldwide in Education
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025Graduate job-ready
Extensive and meaningful professional experience placements ensure that graduates are profession-ready
Accredited degrees
Accreditation of all our teaching courses provides career opportunities in New South Wales, Queensland and across Australia
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access, an initiative created to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
How can we help?
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway