Australian teaching is a distinctly different reality today than it was just a couple of years ago. With artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT becoming more prevalent in classrooms across the country, and the introduction of the National Framework for Generative AI in Schools, AI tech is making ripples in education.
We’ll explore what AI in the classroom looks like in Aussie schools and what AI means for the future of education recruitment in Australia.
How Teachers Are Using AI in the Classroom
One way AI tools are being used in the classroom is in assisting teachers with their daily tasks. Drafting lesson plans, creating quizzes to help students understand texts, and generating discussion questions, are all ways that AI tools are helping teachers save time and focus more on student engagement. One example of these tools is the platform Kuraplan, designed specifically for the Australian curriculum. Another is Brisbane Catholic Education’s Catholic CoPilot, a chatbot customised to assist teachers with lesson planning and administrative tasks in a Catholic education setting. BCE says the pilot saved about 9.3 hours on administrative tasks per week for each teacher.
Learning Opportunities for Students
It goes without saying that, of all the people in Australian education, students were the first to jump on the AI bandwagon, for better or worse! AI’s capabilities in providing (sneaky) assignment help have, of course, driven this adoption.
In fact, it’s thanks to students leading the charge that we now have things like the National Framework for Generative AI in Schools. The Framework was developed in response to how quickly AI tools like ChatGPT were being used by students, often before schools even had a policy in place. So yes, you could say students forced the grown-ups to catch up.
But here’s the good news: with the right guidance, students can use these tools in meaningful and productive ways. We’re seeing Gen AI being used to:
Support research by quickly summarising sources or simplifying complex concepts
Spark creative thinking when they’re stuck on a project
Draft ideas and get instant feedback on their writing or code
Explore concepts in maths, science or history in new and engaging ways
Create multimedia content for digital projects or presentations
Of course, this kind of use only works when students are taught how to use AI responsibly. That involves thinking critically about what it produces, citing their sources, and understanding when not to use it (like during assessments!). That’s where the role of teachers becomes so important: not just as facilitators, but as digital mentors.
Realistically, if students are going to grow up in an AI-powered world, it makes sense to help them learn how to work with these tools now in a safe and structured way, rather than pretending they don’t exist.
What This Means for Teacher Recruitment
As AI tools find a permanent seat in the classroom, they're also shaking up what schools look for when hiring teachers. There’s a growing demand for educators who are confident using technology and open to integrating it into their teaching.
Reduced Burnout and Improved Teacher Retention
According to a 2023 report from the Black Dog Institute, nearly 47% of Australian educators were thinking about leaving the profession within a year due to burnout and mental health challenges. Yep, almost half!
One of the big culprits for teacher stress is admin overload. This is where AI has real potential to make a difference. By automating admin tasks, AI can give teachers more time to focus on students, and maybe even a lunch break that doesn’t involve eating at a photocopier. Less admin = better mental health = teachers sticking around longer. Good retention allows schools to hire more efficiently and engage with teacher recruitment specialists (like us) more proactively.
Digital and AI Skills Are Critical
As AI becomes a bigger part of learning, schools are looking for teachers who can do more than just use the tools. They also need to teach with them, about them, and around them.
Today’s students need guidance to safely navigate a world full of AI-generated content. That means helping them think critically about what AI tells them, how to protect their data, and when to trust (or challenge) the results. The OECD has highlightedthese digital literacy skills as must-haves for future-ready learners, and that means they’re now must-haves for teachers, too.
BDO points out that educators also need to get comfortable with things like:
What generative AI is and how it works in a learning context
How to apply it responsibly in the classroom
Where the risks lie (bias and privacy concerns)
The catch? Over two-thirds of Aussie teachers still find the Digital Technologies Curriculum (DTC) a struggle. So, it’s clear that supporting teacher development in this space is essential for schools. Where education leaders are unable to provide this development to their current teaching workforce, they will need a teacher recruitment strategy that addresses their skills gaps.
But Let’s Not Forget the Human Stuff
All the digital skills in the world won’t replace what really makes a great teacher. We still need people who can encourage students’ curiosity, adapt to different learning styles, and build real connections with them. In fact, those human-centred skills, like empathy, creativity, and patience, are becoming even more valuable in a tech-heavy classroom. Students that improve do so because they received plenty of encouragement and support from their teachers to persevere. In other words: AI can help, but teachers with heart still lead.
Summary
AI is changing the game in Australian education. There are immediate and long-term benefits in reducing administrative tasks and enabling teachers to spend more time with students. But even with the rise of digital tools, one thing remains clear: great teaching still comes down to great teachers.
Hire Educators with Inspired Recruitment
If you’re looking to hire educators with the skills for both the human and high-tech sides of learning, get in touch with the team at Inspired Recruitment. We specialise in connecting schools with forward-thinking teachers who are ready for the classroom of the future.