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Career Profile

Education consultant

Education consultants advise schools, systems and organisations on curriculum, teaching practice and policy, helping them improve how students learn.
Business, Finance and ManagementEducation and Teaching
Average weekly salary
$2478
Future demand
Moderate
Most common education level
Postgraduate degree

What does an education consultant do?

An education consultant advises schools, education systems and other organisations on how to teach and how to improve results. They review curriculum, assessment and teaching practice, analyse student data, and recommend changes staff can actually put in place. Much of the work is professional learning – coaching teachers, running workshops, and supporting leaders through a change in approach. Some consultants specialise in a subject area, in literacy and numeracy, in inclusive education, or in the technology a school uses. 

Education consultants work in state and Catholic education offices, independent school networks, universities, and consulting and professional services firms. Others work for education publishers and technology companies, or for non-profits that run programs in schools. Many work independently, moving between schools and contracts. 

Is a career as an education consultant right for me?

A career in education consulting may suit you if you know how learning works in a classroom and you enjoy helping other people improve their practice. You need credibility with teachers, often gained through classroom experience, along with the judgement to provide advice that reflects the needs of each school.

Skills and attributes that suit this career include: 

Analytical thinking
An ability to analyse and interpret information.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Empathy and working with people
The ability to build positive relationships and support others effectively.
Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.
Leadership
The capacity to lead through effective decision-making, accountability, and support for others.
Organisation
Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.

How to become an education consultant

An accredited initial teacher education degree and classroom experience provide the practical knowledge this role depends on. From there, postgraduate study in education and experience in curriculum, mentoring or leadership roles can help you move into consulting.

Every journey to study is individual, and most education consultants come to the work after teaching. Steps to become an education consultant:

  1. Complete an accredited initial teacher education degree, such as a Bachelor of Education.
  2. Register as a teacher with the authority in your state or territory, such as the Queensland College of Teachers.
  3. Build classroom experience and develop a specialisation, for example literacy, numeracy or inclusive education.
  4. Take on curriculum, mentoring or leadership responsibilities in a school or system.
  5. Complete postgraduate study such as a Master of Education, then move into an advisory or consulting role.

Accreditation and qualifications

Education consulting is not a registered profession, so there is no separate licence for the role. However, this career is typically built on recognised teaching qualifications, relevant teacher registration and professional experience in education. Where the work involves teaching or regular time in schools, teacher registration with the authority in your state or territory usually applies, and a working with children check is generally required.

How long does it take to become an education consultant?

UniSQ's Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) typically take four years of full-time study, or longer if studied part-time. These qualifications can lead to eligibility for teacher registration, providing the professional foundation and classroom experience that are typically expected for a career in education consulting.

Most consultants then teach for several years before advising others, since credibility with staff comes from having done the job. UniSQ's Master of Education runs over 1.5 years full time online, with specialisations in Guidance, Counselling and Careers, Special and Inclusive Education, and Professional Advancement. 

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the classroom foundation and the advanced knowledge an education consulting career depends on, from an accredited UniSQ teaching degree through to a Master of Education you can shape around your specialisation.

Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Go to degree
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Go to degree
Master of Education
Go to degree
Need help planning your career journey?
Book a career conversation

Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Reviewing curriculum, assessment and teaching practice in schools.

Analysing student achievement and engagement data.

Designing and delivering professional learning for teachers and leaders.

Coaching staff through changes to programs or teaching approaches.

Writing reports and recommendations for schools, systems or funders.

Where you might work

Accounting, consulting and professional services firms

Early learning and childcare providers

Government agencies, departments and councils

Media, publishing and broadcasting organisations

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Primary and secondary schools

Research institutes and research centres

Universities and higher education providers

Education consultant FAQs

Pay for education consultants varies with experience, sector and whether the role is employed or contract. For further information, please view the salary information on this page.

Most education consultants hold an accredited teaching degree and have taught. Postgraduate study is common, and a postgraduate qualification is the most common education level recorded for education advisers and reviewers. There is no licence for consulting itself, though teacher registration and a working with children check usually apply if you work in schools.

Not always, but it helps. Most consultants who advise on curriculum and teaching practice have classroom experience, because schools weigh that credibility heavily. Consultants who focus on policy, research, education technology or program evaluation sometimes come from other backgrounds.

Day-to-day, an education consultant might review a school's curriculum or assessment, analyse student data, run a professional learning session for teachers, coach a leader through a change, and write up recommendations. The balance depends on the contract and the school.

Education consulting suits experienced educators who want to influence practice beyond a single classroom. It offers variety and a good deal of autonomy, and the closest published occupation shows a Moderate future demand rating on yourcareer.gov.au. A UniSQ teaching degree followed by a Master of Education is a common route in.

Related careers

Guidance counsellor
Secondary school teacher

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).