Show Me
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering two full-time PhD scholarship packages to undertake research on evaluating the impact and sustainability of employment-based teacher education models.
This project will explore the design, implementation, and outcomes of employment-based models, specifically ACU's All Points to Teaching program in initial teacher education, with a focus on how these alternative approaches support pre-service teacher development and address workforce challenges in schools. The research involves investigating the effectiveness of employment-based models in preparing classroom-ready graduates, the experiences and motivations of diverse cohorts (e.g., mid-career changers, rural-remote entrants), the impact on teacher retention, and strategies for scalability and sustainability.
| Study mode | Full-time for up to 3.5 years |
|---|---|
| Location |
The successful candidates will primarily be located at either ACU's Brisbane, North Sydney or Strathfield campuses. They may also spend time within ACU's APTT regional hubs, such as Townsville. |
| Places available | Two |
| Commencing | 2026 |
| Principal Supervisor |
|
| Research group/s |
National School of Education The National School of Education is the leading multi-state provider of graduate teachers in Australia with a long history of cutting-edge and evidence-based teacher education. The undergraduate and postgraduate education courses are recognised globally as some of the best in Australia with research strengths identified in the fields of mathematics and literacy education, educational leadership, inclusion and early childhood education. Our staff are involved in various, cross-disciplinary research projects that utilise our first-class facilities and extensive industry partner network. All Points to Teaching (APTT) All Points to Teaching (APTT) is an employment-based pathway into secondary teaching offered by ACU, in partnership with the Australian Government's High Achieving Teacher Program. ACU received $11.6M in funding to provide 285 fully funded scholarships, from 2025 through 2027. Students complete a secondary degree, while working as paid paraprofessionals in schools across New South Wales and Queensland, supported by wrap around professional learning, mentoring, and placement in one of seven regional Cluster Hubs. |
| Industry partner/s |
Industry partners include the Department of Education and a variety of schools across NSW and QLD. |
| Scholarship package |
The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:
The scholarship package is subject to satisfactory progress and full-time study mode. The scholarship conditions align with the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy. |
Applications close: Friday 31 October 2025, 11:59 pm AEDT
In addition to the eligibility criteria, the successful applicant should have:
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit all documentation required for an application to the PhD program at ACU, as detailed in the How to Apply instructions, plus:
When completing the PhD application form, please indicate that you are also applying for a stipend scholarship and include the name of this project "From pathway to profession: Evaluating employment-based models in initial teacher education".
Interested candidates should contact Dr Rebecca Pagano before applying for the PhD program and scholarship.
As a research candidate at ACU, you will join a world-class research community ready to support you on your research journey.
Our researchers develop innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good. Through interdisciplinary and collaborative research, they seek to enable people to develop intellectually, spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally, to enable flourishing lives, foster thriving communities and build an ethical future.
If you dream of working to solve the critical challenges we face in the world today, explore our research to discover why ACU is the place for you.
Explore our research(1) Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2025 (2) Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, ranked IFCU members (3) 2024 CWTS Leiden Rankings (4) Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, 2024
Explore our graduate research degrees, including the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and follow our step-by-step guide to apply.
Learn moreWork alongside leading researchers who will mentor and support you every step of the way. Browse our expert profiles to find the right supervisor for your goals.
Learn moreTake your research beyond your thesis. Partner with industry to tackle real-world challenges, boost your impact, and grow your professional network.
Learn moreOur scholarships do more than cover costs-they empower your research journey with tuition support, living allowances, and access to essential resources.
Learn more
Get in touch to learn more about graduate research at ACU
Email: grad.research@acu.edu.auContact us to explore how you could collaborate with our graduate researchers.
Email: grs.partnerships@acu.edu.au