The Staff in Australia’s Schools 2007 survey found the dearth of qualified teachers was forcing more than 40 per cent of staff to teach outside their fields of expertise with some schools combining classes across year levels or shrinking their curriculums.

About 13,000 secondary and primary teachers and principals from government, Catholic and independent schools took part in the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) survey in 2006.

Among the key findings were estimated shortfalls of 400 secondary maths and 300 secondary science teachers.

Only 40 per cent of secondary IT teachers and 60 per cent of physics teachers had completed at least three years of tertiary education in their subject, while nearly two-thirds of secondary maths and science teachers said they needed professional learning on ways to engage their students.

Worryingly, 69 per cent of early career primary teachers were unsure about how long they would continue to teach.

ACER research leader Dr Phillip McKenzie said the survey provided critical information for educators and government on the future needs of the school system.

Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard responded to ACER’s findings by reiterating an election promise to halve HECS contributions for students studying science and maths, and halve their repayments again if they went on to teach them.

“As recommended in the (ACER) report, the Rudd Government will take the findings and recommendations to a working group under the Council of Commonwealth and State Education Ministers,” she said.

A full copy of the report can be accessed here.