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How to Become A Drama Teacher

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What is a Drama Teacher

A Drama Teacher brings the performing arts to life in schools. They teach students how to act, direct, and create theatre. Students build real skills in communication, teamwork, and self-expression that last a lifetime.

The day-to-day work is a mix of lesson planning, practical activity, and production work. Drama Teachers set exercises, coach students through scene work, and give feedback that helps them improve. They adapt their approach to suit all skill levels, from beginners to students aiming for drama in senior years.

A big part of the job is linking students to the wider world of theatre. That means trips to live shows and visits from guest artists. School productions let students showcase their work to the whole community.

It is a career with real impact. Students who study drama build skills they use long after school. Those skills show up in job interviews, creative work, and everyday life.

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Career Outlook for Drama Teacher

Drama Teachers work in the Secondary School Teacher occupation (ANZSCO 241411). Around 153,800 people work in this group across Australia (source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). Future demand is rated as stable. This means job numbers are expected to stay consistent rather than rise or fall sharply.

The average weekly wage is $2,166, or around $112,000 per year (source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). This figure covers all secondary school teachers in Australia. About 78% work full-time, with an average of 43 hours per week. The median age is 42, and 62% of the workforce is female. Starting salaries are around $70,000 and can top $130,000 for senior or experienced teachers.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

How to Become a Drama Teacher in Australia

Step 1: Complete a teaching degree with a drama specialisation

Study a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a Drama or Theatre Arts specialisation. This takes four years full-time at a university. It covers performance, curriculum design, pedagogy, and supervised teaching practice. Another path is a Bachelor of Arts (Drama or Theatre), then a Master of Teaching (Secondary). This second route takes around five years in total.

Step 2: Complete supervised teaching practice

Your degree includes at least 80 days of supervised placement in real classrooms. Use this time to plan and deliver drama lessons, manage a class, and get feedback from experienced teachers. Look for extra chances to direct school plays or run workshops. Hands-on practice is a core entry requirement for teacher registration.

Step 3: Register with your state or territory teacher body

Before you can teach in a school, register with the relevant authority in your state or territory. Key bodies are NESA (NSW), VIT (Victoria), QCT (Queensland), and TRBWA (WA). In other states and territories, use TRB (SA), TRB (Tasmania), TQI (ACT), and NTBOS (NT). Registration requires your completed teaching qualification, a Working with Children Check, and identity documents.

Step 4: Build your professional practice

Apply for secondary school teaching roles through state education departments or independent school networks. Highlight your drama specialisation, performance background, and any production experience. Once in a role, keep building your skills. Attend Drama Australia workshops. Join your state drama teachers association. Stay current with the Australian Curriculum: The Arts.

Step 5: Achieve full teacher accreditation

Most states require teachers to move from provisional to full (proficient) registration within two to three years. Gather evidence against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST), set by AITSL. Your school mentor and head of department guide this process. Meeting the standards shows you are ready to teach at a fully independent level.

What does a Drama Teacher do?

Each day, a Drama Teacher plans and delivers lessons on acting, script work, and stagecraft. They run practical sessions, set exercises, and coach students through rehearsals. They assess progress, give clear feedback, and keep lesson content fresh. Outside class, they direct school plays, arrange theatre trips, and attend professional development to keep their teaching sharp.

Tasks

Drama Teachers get to do something different every day. They work with students at all skill levels to build confidence, creativity, and real performance ability. The role is hands-on, collaborative, and full of energy.

  • Lesson planning. Create programs that build drama skills from the basics through to advanced performance work.
  • Class delivery. Teach acting, voice, movement, script analysis, and theatre history in an engaging way.
  • Practical workshops. Lead improvisation, ensemble work, and scripted scene practice with students.
  • Setting tasks. Give each student exercises that push them to grow and match where they are at.
  • Assessing work. Watch performances, read written responses, and give feedback that actually helps.
  • Updating content. Keep lessons current with what is happening in Australian theatre and education.
  • Exam coaching. Prepare students for drama assessments and performance tasks in senior years.
  • Professional learning. Join workshops and events through Drama Australia or a state drama association.
  • School productions. Run auditions and rehearsals through to the final performance night.
  • Theatre trips. Take students to see professional shows to link classroom learning to the real thing.

Skills for Success

Great Drama Teachers bring a love of theatre together with a real talent for working with young people. They can plan engaging lessons, run a lively class, and give feedback that helps students grow in confidence and skill.

Strong communication is a must, both on and off stage. So is the ability to stay organised across lessons, rehearsals, and productions. The best drama teachers stay curious and keep trying new ideas. They build a warm, welcoming space where every student feels safe to take risks.

Skills & Attributes

  • Strong verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Creativity and imagination
  • Ability to inspire and motivate students
  • Knowledge of drama theory and performance practice
  • Experience in acting, directing, or stagecraft
  • Lesson planning and curriculum design
  • Patience and empathy
  • Ability to give clear, useful feedback
  • Teamwork and collaboration with staff
  • Adaptability to diverse learning styles
  • Passion for the arts and education
  • Classroom management
  • Commitment to professional development

Average Salaries

Drama Teachers in Australia earn an average of about $112,000 per year (source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). This is based on a weekly wage of $2,166 for secondary school teachers. Pay starts at around $70,000 for new teachers and can reach $130,000 or more for senior staff.

min $70 K

max $130 K

av $112 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.