• There is strong current and projected growth in teaching jobs. The Australian Government is projecting a 2.7% per annum increase to 2014-15 (www.skillsinfo.gov.au)

• Teaching has the second oldest workforce after agriculture with nearly 25% of teachers expected to retire in the next five years

• Australia has particular difficulties in attracting teachers to teach mathematics and science

• There are insufficient numbers of students studying teaching with limited university capacity due to an ageing university lecturer workforce

• Government initiatives such as salary increases, bonuses, improved curriculum and school buildings investments do not appear to have had the desired impact on the supply of teachers.