The University of Notre Dame Australia Careers

Lecturer, (Early Childhood Education and Care) School of Education
Sydney campus
Full-time opportunity, Continuing contract start January 2027

• Teach, research and lead in Language and Literacy Early Childhood, Initial Teacher Education and Postgraduate Education.
• $84,007 (Level A) or $117,622 (Level B) pa + 14.5% superannuation.

*1st July EA increase $86,947 (level A) and $121,739 (level B) plus 15% superannuation.

About the university

We believe in the power of education to transform lives, strengthen communities and help people become the best version of themselves. The University of Notre Dame Australia is a modern, national Catholic university that serves more than 12,000 students across its campuses in Fremantle, Broome and Sydney.

With a community of over 1,000 academic and professional staff, Notre Dame is recognised for its personalised learning environment, strong graduate outcomes and holistic educational philosophy rooted in critical thinking, ethics and the Catholic intellectual tradition.

About the school

The School of Education (Fremantle and Sydney) offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including initial teacher education for early childhood, primary and secondary teachers, and postgraduate programs in early childhood, leadership and management, curriculum, special learning needs and religious education.

About the role

The Associate Lecturer/Lecturer in Early Childhood Education is based within the School of Education at The University of Notre Dame Australia (Sydney Campus). The successful applicant will contribute to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service within the School, with a particular focus on Early Childhood Initial Teacher Education programs and relevant postgraduate offerings.

The successful applicant will teach across undergraduate and postgraduate programs, contribute to curriculum development and innovation, and support student learning through contemporary and inclusive pedagogical practices. They will contribute to scholarly and research activities appropriate to the level of appointment and engage collaboratively with colleagues, professional partners, and the broader education community.

The successful applicant will also contribute to the development of partnerships within the School, across the University, and with the early childhood and education sectors. In line with the level of appointment, the role may include contributing to coordination activities, supporting colleagues and students, participating in service and accreditation processes, and assisting with academic and student-related matters.

Level A (Lecturer)

A level A Academic is expected to make contributions to the teaching effort of the institution, particularly at undergraduate and graduate diploma level and to carry out activities to develop their scholarly and professional expertise relevant to the profession or discipline.

Level B (Lecturer)

A level B Academic Staff Member is expected to make contributions to the teaching effort of the institution and to carry out activities to maintain and develop their scholarly, research and/or professional service activities relevant to the profession or discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate, design and teach courses in Early Childhood Education within undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher education programs.
• Develop, lead and maintain a research agenda relevant to the role, building collaborations within and beyond the University.
• Demonstrate active and constructive participation in Governance and Service activities that support the effective operation of the School, Faculty and University.
• Ensure courses and programs are aligned with external accreditation standards and requirements.
• Provide leadership in the Early Childhood Education field through collaborations with early childhood services, schools, education systems, and community groups.
• Supervise Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates, appropriate to the level of appointment.
• Comply with and promote safe working practices in accordance with University policies and procedures.

Qualifications, skills & experience

Essential

• PhD or EdD in Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related discipline (or substantial progress towards completion for Level A appointments).
• Demonstrated experience in teaching Early Childhood Education in tertiary settings, including curriculum design, assessment, and technology-enhanced learning.
• Demonstrated understanding of Early Childhood pedagogy and practice within Australian contexts.
• Knowledge of the National Quality Framework, including the National Law, Regulations, National Quality Standard, and Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia v2.0.
• Demonstrated capacity, appropriate to level, to contribute to research and scholarly activity, including publications and presentations.
• Ability to contribute to collaborative curriculum development, course alignment, and quality assurance processes across campuses and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with the teaching profession, early childhood settings, and community partners.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in teams and support diverse student cohorts.

Desirable

• An approved Early Childhood teaching qualification and/or professional experience as an Early Childhood teacher in Australia.
• Experience supporting culturally and linguistically diverse and/or international student cohorts.
• Understanding of contemporary social, cultural, and policy issues impacting Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia.

Benefits

• Generous training and development opportunities.
• Friendly and collaborative working environment.
• Fast paced environment with opportunity for professional growth. 

How to apply

Please apply online with a resume and cover letter not more than 5 pages outlining your suitability for the role in response to the selection criteria.

Applications closing date: 14 July 2026

For further information on how to apply, please visit: How to apply | Notre Dame

Applicants are expected to have current and valid work rights in Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.      

The University of Notre Dame Australia seeks to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the different needs of the University and its stakeholders and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our staff.

The University is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive working and learning environment.

The successful candidate will be required to complete a self-declaration regarding Gender-Based Violence (as required by the National Code) as part of the pre-employment process. For more information on this please refer to our website.

Contact us

Please direct all general queries regarding this position to Marcia Rodrigues, [email protected]

For academic enquiries only please contact Maree Skillen, Maree.Skillen@nd.edu.au

Unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies will not be entertained.