The Faculty of Education and Arts at Australian Catholic University (ACU) stands as a cornerstone of higher education in Australia, blending rigorous academic training with a commitment to social impact and lifelong learning. Spanning campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballarat, and even Rome for select programs, this faculty houses the National School of Education and the National School of Arts and Humanities. It prepares professionals for dynamic careers in teaching, leadership, psychology, creative arts, and humanities, emphasizing practical skills and ethical practice rooted in Catholic values of truth, excellence, and service.
Working here means contributing to Australia's teaching workforce—one of the largest producers of educators—and advancing research in areas like pedagogical innovation, literacy development, and cultural sustainability. With a new Executive Dean, Professor Larissa McLean Davies, starting December 2025, the faculty is poised for fresh leadership focused on transformative education and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her background from the University of Melbourne brings expertise in teacher performance assessments and climate literacy, promising exciting opportunities for staff to shape national standards.
Career Opportunities in Teaching and Leadership
Careers at the ACU Faculty of Education and Arts are diverse, catering to academics, professional staff, and sessional educators. Academic roles range from lecturers and senior lecturers to professors, often involving course development, student supervision, and research in education psychology or arts therapies. For instance, recent listings include Lecturer in Education positions, ideal for those passionate about initial teacher education or postgraduate leadership programs.
Professional staff support operations through roles in student services, research administration, and community engagement, such as coordinators for work-integrated learning or literacy centers. The National School of Education focuses on teacher training from early childhood to secondary levels, while the Arts and Humanities school offers pathways in creative writing, drama, and social innovation. Sessional teaching provides flexible entry, with rates tied to academic levels.
- Lecturer/Senior Lecturer: Course delivery, research supervision, curriculum design.
- Professional roles: Academic advising, program coordination, research support.
- Leadership positions: Heads of school, research center directors.
Locations vary: Melbourne and Sydney host major hubs, with regional opportunities in Ballarat for arts outreach. The faculty's emphasis on industry partnerships means staff often collaborate with schools, galleries, and NGOs, enhancing real-world impact.
Competitive Salaries and Comprehensive Benefits
ACU offers competitive remuneration aligned with enterprise agreements. Academic staff salaries effective June 2025 start at Level A Step 1 around AUD 82,000 annually, progressing to over AUD 190,000 for professors. Professional staff on Higher Education Worker (HEW) scales begin at HEW 1 (~AUD 60,000 top increment) and reach HEW 10 (~AUD 153,000). Increments reflect experience, with annual reviews.
| Role Level | Entry Salary (AUD) | Top Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Level A | ~82,000 | ~115,000 |
| Lecturer Level B | ~115,000 | ~140,000 |
| Senior Lecturer Level C | ~140,000 | ~170,000 |
| HEW 5-7 Professional | ~85,000 | ~110,000 |
Benefits shine: 17% superannuation (above standard 11%), salary packaging up to AUD 15,900 tax-free, flexible work arrangements including hybrid models, and generous parental leave (up to 24 weeks paid). Study support allows fee remission for further qualifications, vital for educators pursuing PhDs or certifications. The Employee Assistance Program provides free counseling, while career development includes promotions, secondments, and leadership training.
Recent employee feedback highlights these perks: "Excellent super and packaging make a real difference," notes one reviewer, underscoring financial security amid sector volatility.
A Supportive Culture and Work-Life Balance
Glassdoor rates ACU 3.8/5, with 77% recommending it. Staff praise the collaborative environment: "Supportive colleagues, friendly vibe, great for career growth." The Catholic ethos fosters inclusivity, welcoming diverse faiths while prioritizing dignity and community service. Campuses feature modern facilities, like Strathfield's arts studios and Melbourne's education labs.
Work-life balance scores high, with flexible hours, remote options, and recreational leave (4 weeks annually). Reviews mention small class sizes aiding meaningful student interactions and vibrant campus life. However, challenges exist: higher education funding pressures led to past redundancies (113 professional roles in 2023) and a resolved underpayment issue (AUD 3.6M repaid to 1,100 staff).
Faculty-specific culture emphasizes mentorship; new Dean McLean Davies' collaborative style promises enhanced team dynamics. Testimonials: "Freedom for growth, new facilities—despite distance from city centers."
Professional Development and Research Excellence
ACU invests in growth: annual performance reviews map career paths, with funding for conferences and grants. The faculty leads in research, ranked globally for psychology and education. Staff engage in projects like child safeguarding (Daryl Higgins) or literacy innovation (Mary Ryan), securing ARC grants.
Study leave and fee support enable upskilling—perfect for transitioning to leadership. Partnerships with Harvard's Institute for World Literature (Debjani Ganguly) offer international exposure. Early-career academics benefit from mentorship labs on literature and social justice.
- ARC grants: Over AUD 4M under past leaders.
- PhD supervision: Higher degree network in arts/humanities.
- Workshops: Pedagogical tools, AI in education.
Navigating Challenges in Australia's Higher Ed Landscape
Like peers, ACU faces enrollment dips and funding cuts, prompting efficiencies. The 2022-2025 Enterprise Agreement addressed pay rises (up to 3.75% in 2024), but staff note management pressures. Positively, ACU's social mission buffers volatility, with stable demand for educators amid teacher shortages.
Solutions include diversification: new sustainability degrees and overseas programs. Employee voices: "Tough climate, but job security and values keep me here."
Explore ACU's full benefits package for resilience tools.Real Employee Experiences and Testimonials
Anonymized reviews paint a balanced picture. A lecturer shares: "Supportive team, flexible hours—ideal for family." An admin staffer: "Great super, packaging saves thousands yearly." Challenges: "Financial uncertainty, but new leadership energizes."
Arts coordinator: "Community projects fulfilling; galleries enhance creative work." Overall, 55% positive outlook per Glassdoor, with education roles lauded for impact.
How to Land a Role: Application Tips
Apply via ACU's portal: Tailor CV to values alignment, highlight teaching philosophy or research. Interviews assess mission fit. Network at faculty events or via LinkedIn.
Photo by Natalie Parham on Unsplash
- Search vacancies on ACU jobs board.
- Prepare selection criteria response.
- Leverage referrals from networks.
Future Outlook: Growth Amid Transformation
With Dean McLean Davies' vision, expect expanded teacher ed, AI integration, and global partnerships. Australia's educator shortage (projected 4,000 by 2025) boosts demand. ACU's Vision 2033 targets research leadership, offering stable, rewarding careers.
Prospective staff: Join a faculty shaping ethical educators for tomorrow. Check Glassdoor for latest insights.
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