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New national data underscores mentoring as key to sustaining Australia’s teacher workforce
Fiona Alston
Jul 31, 2025
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The latest Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) report has highlighted the critical role of mentoring and structured induction in supporting early career teachers and ensuring long-term workforce sustainability.
The National Trends: Teacher Workforce Data 2025 report, which draws on surveys from higher education providers, teacher regulatory authorities and teachers across sectors, paints a detailed picture of workforce demographics, employment conditions and the experiences shaping teacher retention. Teaching is a highly complex profession that demands the rapid application of knowledge and skills in diverse and often challenging environments. For early career teachers, this pressure is amplified by the need to respond effectively to students from their very first lessons. The ATWD findings show that regular access to experienced mentors and genuine induction programs provides meaningful support during this critical phase, reducing the risk of burnout and attrition. Teachers who had participated in a structured induction program consistently ranked mentoring as the most beneficial activity, followed by:- reduced face-to-face teaching loads,
- opportunities to observe experienced colleagues, and
- orientation programs that provide clear expectations and support.
- time is specifically allocated for mentoring,
- roles and expectations for both mentors and mentees are clearly defined, and
- professional development for mentors is prioritised.
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