Teacher Shortages and Rising Workloads Elevate Talent Risk to Second-Biggest Challenge for Independent Schools
SYDNEY, 21 July 2026 - Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, has released findings from its 2026 Independent Schools Risk Report, which identifies workforce shortages and increasing staff workloads as key factors driving talent risk to become the second-highest ranked risk among participating independent schools in Australia.
Talent attraction and retention are identified by participating schools as one of the sector's most pressing challenges, as schools compete for a shrinking pool of qualified teachers while responding to evolving expectations from parents, students and communities.
Australian lower secondary teachers work an average of 46.5 hours per week during school terms. This is almost six hours more than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average1.
The report found that teacher responsibilities continue to extend beyond classroom teaching to include student wellbeing, leadership, administration and extracurricular activities.
Longer-term workforce pressures are also emerging. Data from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership indicates that fewer Australians are entering the teaching profession. Around 35,000 people commenced initial teacher education programs in 20152, compared with fewer than 25,000 in 20233, an approximate 30 per cent decline over the past decade.
Survey findings suggest teacher shortages are contributing to financial and operational pressures for schools, while also increasing the importance of leadership succession planning amid rising expectations from parents and communities.
“The independent school sector is operating in an increasingly competitive labour market where attracting and retaining talented educators has become a strategic priority,” said Lachlan Bowden, practice group leader of education for Australia at Aon. "Schools are responding to growing expectations around academic performance, student wellbeing and community engagement while managing workforce shortages that continue to place additional pressure on existing staff."
Schools are placing greater emphasis on succession planning, with more schools reported as identifying potential successors before vacancies arise and implementing formal processes than in 2024. This reflects growing recognition of the importance of leadership in supporting long-term workforce planning.
Findings highlight opportunities for schools to strengthen their employee value proposition through career development, mentoring, leadership capability, flexible employment models and proactive workforce planning, rather than relying solely on recruitment activity.
“Schools that invest in leadership development, employee support and long-term workforce planning will be better positioned to attract, retain and develop talented educators over the long term,” said Bowden.
About the Survey
Since 2014, Aon’s Independent Schools Risk Survey, conducted on a biennial basis, captures a view of risks in the education landscape from the perspective of professionals working in the sector. To access the full report, visit schoolsriskreport.aon.com.au.
This year, the survey was conducted from January to March 2026. Three hundred and six independent schools took part in the survey from all states and territories across Australia (except for the Northern Territory). Participating schools include non-denominational and religious schools, as well as schools offering special assistance and Steiner and Montessori-led education.
For the purpose of this survey, an independent school is generally defined as a non-government school that operates independently of state and territory education departments and is typically governed by its own board or organisation rather than by a church or government authority.
The information in this media release is based on survey responses from participating schools and reflects their views at the time of the survey. It is not intended to be representative of all independent schools in Australia.
1 Friedman et al., TALIS 2024 Australian Report: The Teaching and Learning International Survey, p. 48.
2 Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, Initial Teacher Education: Data Report 2015, 10, https://www.aitsl.edu.au/toolsresources/resource/initial-teacher-education-data-report-2015
3 Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, National Trends: Initial Teacher Education Pipeline, December 2025, https://www.aitsl.edu.au/research/australian-teacher-workforce-data/atwd-reports/national-trends-ite-pipeline-december-2025
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.
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