ECU is pleased to be the only university in WA to offer the HAT program for prospective Primary, Secondary and Early Years teachers.
Edith Cowan University (ECU)'s High Achieving Teachers (HAT) program is well underway, tackling Australia's teacher shortage.
Launched in Semester 1, 2025, the Federal Government and ECU are providing an employment-based pathway where eligible students will be paid while attaining their tertiary teaching qualifications.
HAT@ECU is an accelerated 18-month pathway to a Master of Teaching qualification in Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary Education. It also includes $18,000 in financial support.
ECU School of Education, Executive Dean Professor Caroline Mansfield said that it is a privilege for ECU to be the sole provider of approximately 45-50% of the graduate teacher workforce in WA public schools and that addressing shortages is a priority for the School of Education.
"The School of Education adapts to industry needs and together with the Federal Government, HAT@ECU aims to alleviate shortages and simultaneously cater to the needs of our future educators," said Professor Mansfield.
"The program is uniquely positioned to boost the number of people entering the profession and to support students in balancing their study and life commitments."
Earn-as-you-learn and flexibility
ECU welcomed its first cohort of HAT@ECU students in Semester 1, 2025.
ECU Master of Teaching (Secondary) student via HAT@ECU, Carl Keogh.
Carl Keogh who's studying a Master of Teaching (Secondary) via HAT@ECU, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in areas of need in the teaching workforce.
"I previously studied a science degree, majoring in mathematics and with a minor in physics. I wanted to become a teacher but would not have been able to afford to do it without the scholarship and earning as you learn," said Carl.
"So when I saw the opportunity to join the HAT@ECU program, it seemed to fit me well."
ECU Master of Teaching (Primary) student via HAT@ECU, Wendy Fan.
Similarly, Master of Teaching (Primary) student Wendy Fan was in a season of change and looking for a career where she could make a positive influence on the lives of children.
"My previous job was in the corporate world as a tax consultant for around seven years. When the HAT@ECU program popped up, I just could not ignore the opportunity to go deeper in being equipped to pursue a career in teaching," said Wendy.
"There is flexibility in my online learning experience and the HAT@ECU team has been so supportive and responsive to feedback."
Applications now open
ECU is pleased to be the only university in WA to offer the HAT program for prospective Primary, Secondary and Early Years teachers. Previously, the HAT@ECU program focused on students with backgrounds in STEM, however, in light of current teaching workforce needs, the criteria has now expanded to a range of fields including English, Humanities and Social Sciences.
HAT@ECU's integrated approach ensures students graduate as confident and capable educators.
Places for the next HAT@ECU program intake in late January 2026 are limited and will be filled as applications come in.
For your best chance, apply now before Monday, 15 September 2025.
HAT@ECU is delivered as part of the High Achieving Teachers (HAT) Program: Phase 2 Expansion Pilots with the support of the Australian Government Department of Education.
