Your Teaching Journey

Pathways and Support for Aspiring Teachers

Whether you're exploring teaching as a career, starting your degree, or stepping into your first classroom, your journey will be supported every step of the way.

Start Your Journey with Us

At Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools, you’ll be guided, supported, and encouraged to become the kind of educator who leads with compassion, purpose, and skill.

Through scholarships, real-world experience, and university partnerships, you’ll gain the confidence and tools to make a difference.

Pre-Service Teacher Support and Development

Practicum placements

The DLCS has a dedicated Professional Experience Adviser to coordinate and manage practicum placement requests. DLCS partners with Catholic and non-Catholic Universities across NSW and QLD to encourage and support quality practicum placements within the Diocese.

Funded regional practicum placements

Each year, the DLCS provides a limited number of opportunities to select Catholic students from ACU and Notre Dame Universities through our funded regional placement program. By offering quality placement experiences together with accommodation and a living away from home allowance, the DLCS aims to attract pre-service teachers to consider a career in a regional setting.

Undergraduate Program

Applications for 2026 are now closed, as the Undergraduate Scholarship program has reached full capacity.

The Undergraduate Program provides paid work experience opportunities for Catholic students looking to become teachers in the Diocese of Lismore and studying a Bachelor of Education.

The participant will be employed as a classroom learning support officer one (1) day per week across the school year (40 weeks) and be assigned a highly accomplished teacher skilled in mentoring who will support, guide and model quality pedagogy.

Successful full-time program participants securing a teaching position with the Diocese will, in addition to their ordinary teaching wage, receive an ex-gratia payment of $5,000 per annum, paid at completion of each of their first four (4) years employed as a teacher.

Paige, Prac Teacher from Brisbane - placement at St Mary’s Primary, Grafton

Discover how Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools and Southern Cross University are transforming teacher education.

Current Staff Scholarship Opportunities

DLCS recognises that learning is a lifelong process and supports the ongoing professional development of existing staff to expand their qualifications and experience. These programs will both support individuals in developing skills and knowledge, as well as support schools and colleges to ensure they are able to attract and retain the highest quality teachers.

Study Assistance scholarship
DLCS supports current Classroom Learning and Support Assistants in their career growth through the Study Assistance Scholarship. This scholarship provides a 50% reimbursement of course unit fees upon the successful completion of units and one study day per unit to assist with coursework, ensuring staff have the resources they need to succeed.

AEW scholarship
This scholarship aims to attract Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples into the teaching profession in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore. As part of this arrangement, the DLCS will provide opportunities for current Aboriginal Education Workers looking to become teachers in the Diocese of Lismore while undertaking a Bachelor of Education. This support includes 50% reimbursement of unit fees upon successful completion, one study day per unit to assist with the coursework and continuity of wages whilst on practicum placement.

Studies in Religious Education and/or Theology

Each year, study support is offered to permanent full time staff to complete a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education and/or Theology through ACU. The support offered includes 50% reimbursement of units fees upon successful completion and one study day per unit to assist with the coursework. Applications are sought in Term 3 of each year, for commencement of study in the following year.

Graduate Formation Program

The Graduate Formation Program welcomes and supports beginning teachers as they begin their career in Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore. The Graduate Formation Program supports beginning teachers through a school-based, practice focused Induction program to assist transition into the teaching profession.

The two-year program includes the provision of a school-based Mentor (Accreditation Supervisor) who will support the development and demonstration of Proficient Teacher practice as described by the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. The school-based program is complemented by professional learning, formation experiences and networking opportunities provided by the DLCS.

Raina, Graduate Teacher at St Ambrose Primary, Pottsville

Leadership Development

The Diocese offers targeted development opportunities for highly accomplished teachers and various levels of leadership. Our leadership strategy focuses on building capacity, strengthening professional capability, and fostering a culture of continuous growth.

We support teachers from early career to executive leadership through initiatives such as the Graduate Formation Program, ongoing professional learning, Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and the development of career pathways for aspiring and current school leaders.

Michael, Principal at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour

View our Current Opportunities

Vacant Positions

Explore open roles across our 45 primary and secondary schools and our four offices between Tweed Heads and Laurieton.