Australians deeply value and respect their teachers, according to new research released by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in the lead up to World Teachers Day.
AITSL consumer research revealed that almost nine in 10 Australians (87%) believe teachers deserve more recognition while 69% said they’d had at least one teacher who had made a significant positive impact on their life.
While quality teaching was crucial in supporting young Australians in schools and early childhood sectors, the top traits people valued in teachers included patience (59%), empathy (38%) and dedication (31%).
The research was conducted ahead of World Teachers’ Day on 31 October 2025. To celebrate teachers, AITSL is inviting Australians to take part in a “Hats Off to Teachers” initiative on the day.
To help schools and communities get involved, AITSL has developed a free downloadable celebration kit featuring printable hats, posters, and thank-you cards to help students, parents, and colleagues show their appreciation in simple but meaningful ways.
Mr Tim Bullard, CEO of AITSL, said: “We know that quality teaching is the most significant in-school factor influencing student learning.
“On Friday 31 October for World Teachers’ Day, we want to shine a spotlight on the expertise and dedication of our teachers and encourage everyone across Australia to dip their hat in recognition of the vital work they do.”
He said AITSL worked to ensure that every child and young person in Australia has access to high quality teaching and leadership, and that every teacher and leader has the support, development, and recognition they need to be effective in their roles.
“Teachers wear many hats and quality teaching shapes who we become, from sparking curiosity to guiding us through life,” Bullard said. “World Teachers’ Day matters because it reminds us to recognise that impact.”
A separate survey – the AITSL Teacher Workforce survey – previously highlighted that teachers find their work deeply rewarding. About 89% said their job made them feel happy at least some of the time but the challenges were real too. Heavy workloads, time pressure and emotional demands were the top stressors with more than half reporting some level of burnout.
People can find out more about how to get involved this World Teachers’ Day on Friday 31 October, by visiting htps://www.aitsl.edu.au/worldteachersday.
