How to become a Teacher - Physical Education

Physical education (PE) teachers instruct students in sports, recreational activities and healthy lifestyle issues, in order to encourage and develop physical fitness and skills, self-esteem and interpersonal skills.

Personal requirements for a Teacher - Physical Education

Enjoy and have skills in physical activity
Enthusiastic, patient and tactful
Enjoy working with young people
Good communication skills
Commitment to personal health and physical fitness
Excellent organisational skills
Prepared to work outside of school hours

Education & Training for a Teacher - Physical Education

To become a physical education teacher you usually have to complete a degree in education, with a major in health and physical education or human movement. Alternatively, you could complete a relevant degree (such as human movement), followed by a postgraduate qualification in education or teaching.To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree as well as teaching experience or a background in the sports, fitness or recreation industries. A number of universities in Australia offer postgraduate courses in education or teaching. They are also available by distance education. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Additional information

Before undertaking practical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a Working with Children Check. A National Police Certificate may also be required. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.You will need to register with the teaching board in your state or territory. Teachers are required by mandatory reporting laws to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

Duties & Tasks of a Teacher - Physical Education

Physical education teachers:

Undertake general teaching tasks (see the separate entry for Teacher - Secondary)
Prepare a year-long program of learning experiences that link physical activities with issues related to health and wellbeing
Teach a range of elective and senior courses depending on the needs and interests of their students
Teach the basic techniques and skills associated with team and individual sports, dance, gymnastics, athletics, aquatics and recreational activities such as canoeing and bushwalking
Plan and deliver activities to assist students' skill progression
Teach students about community and personal health issues, including nutrition, sexuality, drug use and sexual health
Instruct students in the safety practices associated with different environments, including swimming pools, gymnasiums and playing fields
Coordinate special events such as inter-school sports programs, swimming and athletic carnivals and lifesaving programs
Present special days and seminars for senior students on various topics such as stress management, study skills and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Conduct compulsory health education programs that prepare students for life outside of school.

Tasks

Guiding discussions and supervising work in class
Presenting prescribed curriculum using a range of teaching techniques and materials
Performing extra-curricular tasks such as assisting with sport, school concerts, excursions and special interest programs
Maintaining class and scholastic records
Maintaining discipline in classrooms and other school areas
Discussing individual progress and problems with students and parents, and seeking advice from Student Counsellors and senior teachers
Developing students' interests, abilities and coordination by way of creative activities
Preparing, administering and marking tests, projects and assignments to evaluate students' progress and recording the results
Supervising student teachers on placement
Participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and workshops
Liaising with parent, community and business groups

Working conditions for a Teacher - Physical Education

Most Physical education teachers work in secondary schools and are usually qualified to teach at least one other subject.

Employment Opportunities for a Teacher - Physical Education

Physical education teachers are employed in government and non-government schools. Entry to this field is competitive but prospects are better for those willing to take up positions in non-metropolitan areas. There are some opportunities for relief or part-time work.People with qualifications in physical education may also be employed in the leisure industry (as fitness instructors or managers of recreation centres, for example).

Specializations

Teacher - Physical Education

Average age
43 years
Future Growth
Moderate
Gender Share
62% female
Average full-time
46 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,914
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
76% Full-Time
Employment Size
138,300 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.7%
NSW: 33.5%
NT: 0.7%
QLD: 19.0%
SA: 6.3%
TAS: 2.2%
VIC: 26.4%
WA: 10.2%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.2%
20-24: 4.2%
25-34: 25.8%
35-44: 23.9%
45-54: 23.5%
55-59: 11.1%
60-64: 7.8%
65 and Over: 3.6%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 3.1%
Bachelor degree: 57.6%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 0.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 37.7%
Year 10 and below: 0.1%
Year 11: 0%
Year 12: 1.2%
Years 11 & 10: 0%