Study with us - NSW
If you're keen to build a rewarding career in teaching, La Trobe's Nexus program is for you.
Get the skills, experience, and confidence you need to make a real difference in the classroom.
As a Nexus student, you will benefit from:
- a Commonwealth supported place in the Master of Teaching (Primary)
- part-time payment (0.2 FTE - 0.4 FTE) at Education Paraprofessional rates in your first year
- 0.8 FTE teaching load in your Nexus school as a Conditionally Accredited teacher in your second year of study before you graduate
- $12,500 in financial support on top of your salary
- A close community of practice including Nexus support, school and university mentors, and community engagement
- La Trobe's support continues after graduation. As a Nexus alumnus you will receive employment support and opportunities for professional development in social justice areas for your first two years in the profession
- NSW educational partners include the NSW Department of Education, Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga.
To enquire about Nexus, get in touch with us via nexusenquiries@latrobe.edu.au
Nexus course
Nexus is offered as part of the Master of Teaching (Primary).
Apply for Nexus
Before you apply for Nexus:
You will need to apply for the Master of Teaching before you apply for a place in the Nexus program.
Make sure you have your La Trobe applicant ID (which is emailed to you after you have applied for the Master of Teaching), referee details, and your 500-word written statement ready. The statement should include information about your background, experience, your passion for social justice and why you want to become a teacher. There is no option to save and exit the application form.
Please note you will need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to apply for Nexus.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Your application will be considered against the following:
- demonstrated passion for social justice
- previous university degree with good results
- culturally diverse background. Indigenous applicants, those from non-English speaking backgrounds, with disabilities, or from rural communities are strongly encouraged to apply
- knowledge in high needs areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, other discipline specialisations are also considered.
- strong interpersonal skills, resilience and commitment to become a high-quality teacher
- undergraduate degree in a discipline other than teaching. This is a non-negotiable condition
- permanent residency or citizenship of Australia. This is a non-negotiable condition.
Contact us to find out more about the application requirements.
Frequently asked questions
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to social justice. We give strong preference to those with undergraduate degrees for methods or teaching areas such as mathematics, some areas of science, technology studies, English, teaching English to speakers of other languages and languages.
Preference is also given to candidates from regional and rural New South Wales and amazing opportunities exist for those willing to relocate to schools in rural or regional locations. Indigenous candidates and those from diverse cultural backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
You will need a grade point average (GPA) of >65% in your undergraduate degree to be eligible for consideration.
Nexus students can enrol in either the 18 month (1.5 year accelerated) or two-year Master of Teaching (Primary). Find out more.
The course involves a combination of face-to-face and online learning.
Nexus students commit to attending two Nexus intensives in their first year and fortnightly online workshops. This will require travel to Sydney or a University Country Centre. All expenses are paid, including travel, accommodation and a small daily living allowance. There is another intensive in the second year prior to graduation.
There is one intake in July. Nexus begins with a one-week intensive prior to the semester starting. Students must be able to attend the intensive program.
The financial support consists of a $12,500 equity scholarship.
No separate applications are necessary as the equity scholarship is part of the Nexus program.
Scholarship payment schedule:
Nexus candidates will receive $9,900 in total in their first year (paid in fortnightly instalments) while they are working in schools.
A final lump sum payment of $2,600 is made when candidates complete the Nexus program and are a provisionally registered teacher within the two-year maximum timeframe since commencement of studies.
All Nexus students are offered part-time employment while they study.
In NSW, Nexus students are employed as Educational Paraprofessionals in schools, working one day per week in term four and two days per week in terms one and two in 2025.
In the second year of study, NSW Nexus students are offered employment at a 0.8FTE as a Conditionally Accredited teacher.
We have Nexus students working in schools across NSW and Metropolitan Sydney. If your application is successful, we will aim to match you to a school within a one-hour commute from your home address.
If you are happy to relocate, please inform us in your written statement as part of the application process.
Applications for the Master of Teaching (Primary) in NSW is now open.
The Nexus team will assess your application and determine if you match the needs of Nexus schools. If you are eligible, you will be invited to a face-to-face or Zoom interview with the Nexus team from La Trobe and an attending Principal. Please note that the matching process can take time.
Only successful candidates will be notified. We assess applications and contact potential candidates from early May to July. If you are not accepted for the Nexus program your application for the mainstream or Master of Teaching (Primary) will remain active.