Australian teachers' perceptions of their work in 2022

This report details findings of the 2022 Monash University Teachers' Perceptions of their Work Survey, a study of Australian teachers' perceptions of their career experiences. Debate and discourse in the media highlight an absence of teacher voices in conversations about the working contexts and conditions that impact them daily. This report contains teacher-elicited insights about their experiences and reflections on what could occur to improve current practices and educational policies impacting their work. A total of 5,497 participants responded to an anonymous online survey between May 9 and May 30 2022. The survey elicited both qualitative and quantitative insights about a range of topics, including, but not limited to: respect and appreciation, satisfaction and belonging, retention and attraction, and working conditions.

Most teachers reported that they felt the public does not respect teachers and that teaching is unappreciated. Fewer than half of survey respondents reported feeling personally appreciated. A large majority of teachers indicated that they were planning to, or would like to, leave the profession. Most were dissatisfied with their roles. However, a large majority reported a sense of belonging to the profession. A considerable majority of teachers reported that their workloads were unmanageable, and a quarter of teachers reported feeling unsafe in their workplace. Only one in three teachers would recommend teaching as a career.

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