The Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University (SCU) offers a unique and fulfilling environment for academics dedicated to transforming teaching and learning practices. Nestled across picturesque campuses in Lismore, Coffs Harbour, and the Gold Coast, this faculty combines cutting-edge research with innovative pedagogy to prepare educators for the challenges of tomorrow. For professionals considering academic careers in teacher education, early childhood, primary, and secondary fields, SCU's Faculty of Education provides opportunities to make a tangible impact on Australia's education landscape while enjoying a vibrant regional lifestyle.

With a mission to disrupt and transform education through impactful research and teaching, the faculty attracts passionate individuals who value collaboration, sustainability, and equity. Whether you're an early-career lecturer seeking to build your research profile or a seasoned professor aiming to lead disciplinary chairs, working here means contributing to programs that boast over 90% graduate employment rates and partnerships with schools nationwide.

Leadership and a Collaborative Team Environment

Guiding the Faculty of Education is Executive Dean Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, a former primary school teacher with a PhD in environmental education and sustainability. Her vision emphasizes courageous teaching and heartfelt listening, fostering a culture where staff collaborate with schools and early childhood centers globally. Complementing her are leaders like Professor Sue Walker, head of the Early Years Research Lab, renowned for international contributions to early childhood development, and various senior lecturers specializing in areas such as teacher education and professional development in health and physical education.

The team comprises practicing educators, principals, and PhD-qualified academics who blend real-world experience with scholarly pursuits. Many staff members serve as casual academics alongside full-time roles, creating a dynamic mix of perspectives. This structure supports mentorship for early-career researchers and opportunities for interdisciplinary projects, ensuring every team member feels supported in their professional growth.

Diverse Career Pathways and Academic Roles

Careers at the Faculty of Education span a wide spectrum, from associate lecturers to professors. Recent openings have included Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Care on the Gold Coast campus, Associate Dean for Education Partnerships, and Professor/Associate Professor as Chair of Discipline in Primary Education. These roles involve curriculum development, innovative teaching, research supervision, and leadership in school partnerships.

Entry-level positions like Associate Lecturer (Level A) focus on undergraduate teaching under supervision, while Lecturers (Level B) handle independent scholarship, course coordination, and honors/postgraduate supervision. Senior roles progress to national leadership in pedagogy and policy. Fixed-term contracts for research or teaching fellows offer pathways to ongoing employment, with provisions for conversion after three years under the university's Enterprise Agreement.

• Lecturer: Deliver core units in Bachelor of Education programs.
• Senior Lecturer: Lead research projects and professional experiences.
• Associate Professor: Chair disciplines and foster team scholarship.
• Professor: Drive policy-impacting research and international collaborations.

Competitive Salaries and Structured Progression

SCU offers competitive remuneration aligned with the Australian higher education sector. Academic salaries, effective from late 2025, reflect performance-based increments and annual reviews. Here's a breakdown of key levels:

Progression occurs annually after 12 months, with accelerated steps for outstanding performance. Casual rates include 25% loading, starting at around $58 per hour for lecturing. Superannuation stands at 17%, with salary packaging options to optimize take-home pay. For detailed rates, visit the SCU salary schedules.

Comprehensive Benefits and Work-Life Balance

Beyond salaries, SCU prioritizes staff wellbeing through generous entitlements under the 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement. Annual leave totals four weeks plus 17.5% loading, personal/carer's leave 15 days, and parental leave up to 26 weeks full pay. Flexible work arrangements, including flexitime and part-time options, accommodate diverse needs, while the Thrive Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program support mental health.

• 17% superannuation and salary sacrificing.
• Professional development funds, study assistance, and special studies programs.
• Relocation assistance for interstate hires.
• Family/domestic violence leave (15 days paid) and gender affirmation leave (35 hours).

Workloads are capped at 1725 hours annually, balanced across teaching (60-70%), research (20-30%), and service (10%), with two consecutive study periods off for recharge.

Embracing the Southern Cross Model of Teaching

A hallmark of working at SCU is the innovative Southern Cross Model (SCM), a block-based intensive teaching approach implemented since 2021. Academics design immersive, seven-week blocks focusing on one subject at a time, enhancing student engagement and allowing deeper research integration. Faculty staff contribute to SCM research, adapting it for education programs and sharing findings globally, which enriches teaching portfolios and publication opportunities.

This model reduces cognitive overload, promotes authentic assessments, and aligns with real-world practice, making it a rewarding aspect for educators passionate about pedagogical innovation. For more on SCM impacts, explore faculty research outputs.

Thriving in World-Class Research Labs

Research is central to faculty life, with labs like Sustainability, Environment, and the Arts in Education (SEAE), TeachLab, and Early Years Research Lab driving transdisciplinary projects. SEAE tackles climate calamities through arts-based inquiry, TeachLab advances teacher professional development and edtech, and Early Years addresses pandemic-era challenges for young children.

Staff engage in funded partnerships informing policy, with recent publications on mental health in musicians and propositional a/r/tography earning accolades. Early-career academics access grants and supervision, building profiles for promotion. This environment fosters work that disrupts theory and practice, offering fulfillment beyond traditional lecturing.

Vibrant Campuses and Regional Lifestyle Perks

SCU's northern NSW and Queensland locations offer an enviable work-life balance. The Gold Coast campus provides beach proximity and urban amenities, Coffs Harbour blends coastal charm with rainforests, and Lismore immerses in Widjabal Country's cultural richness. Staff enjoy collaborative cultures, flatter hierarchies, and community impact, with over 90% citing lifestyle as a top pro.

Proximity to schools facilitates professional experiences, while campus facilities support hybrid work. Regional incentives like housing support attract interstate talent.

Staff Perspectives: Culture, Challenges, and Growth

Employee feedback paints a balanced picture. Positives include friendly collaboration, innovative environments, and stunning locations—many praise the Gold Coast views and supportive teams. Challenges noted in reviews involve occasional management inconsistencies and high workloads during peaks, common in regional universities transitioning models.

Overall ratings hover around 3.7/5 on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed, with academics appreciating research freedom and development opportunities. Initiatives like anti-bullying frameworks and performance planning address concerns, promoting a just workplace.

Professional Development and Career Advancement

SCU invests in growth via annual Performance Review and Planning (PRP), academic promotions, and funds for conferences. Early Career Development Fellowships (ECDFs) provide teaching relief for research, while casual-to-permanent pathways open doors. Staff access UniSuper advice, cultural training, and leadership programs, ensuring sustained progression.

• PRP for tailored goals and feedback.
• Special Studies Program for sabbaticals.
• Promotion based on scholarship, teaching, and service.

Celebrating Excellence: Awards and Achievements

The faculty shines in recognition, with 2023 Awards honoring Dr. Simone Blom as Early Career Researcher and Professor Sue Walker as Researcher of the Year. Teaching stars like Dr. Aidan Coleman exemplify impact. These events boost morale and highlight contributions. Recent milestones include new Master of Teaching intakes and maths education hires. See highlights at Faculty Awards.

Steps to Join the Faculty and Future Prospects

To apply, monitor SCU Careers or join the Talent Community by uploading your CV, specifying Faculty of Education interests. Submit via Acendre system with tailored statements.

1. Review openings and requirements.
2. Prepare CV, selection criteria response.
3. Apply online; attend interviews.
4. Probation with support leads to confirmation.

With expanding programs and AI-circular economy skills focus, the faculty's future is bright, offering stable, impactful careers in Australia's evolving higher education sector.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash