The share of male teachers in Australian primary schools has dropped below 18 percent, and some researchers warn the trend could lead to men disappearing from classrooms altogether within the next few decades.
According to a report by Phys.org, the proportion of male primary school teachers in Australia stood at around 30 percent in the 1980s. It fell below 20 percent in 2007 and reached 17.6 percent as of 2025. That number includes principals and physical education specialists, meaning the share of men actually teaching in primary classrooms is likely lower still. Figures vary slightly by state, but all fall roughly between 15 and 20 percent. Some researchers have previously suggested male primary teachers could become extinct by 2067 if the downward trend continues.
The numbers drew fresh attention this week when a group of Australian primary school principals called for more male teachers at the primary level. The Australian Government Primary Principals Association told a parliamentary inquiry that male students were struggling with schoolwork in part because of a lack of male role models.
The research behind that claim is mixed. Some students, particularly boys, report enjoying being taught by male teachers. But large international studies suggest teacher effectiveness is not determined by gender. That same international research indicates female-dominated primary school teaching is not causing poorer academic outcomes for male students.
Research also raises questions about the role model argument specifically. While male and female teachers may serve as role models for some students, studies suggest students' role models are more likely to be peers and family members than teachers.
That does not mean the question of representation is irrelevant. Researchers and policymakers have argued that school staffrooms should better reflect the student population and broader society, including not just gender but also race and ethnicity. A staff group with different characteristics and perspectives could increase the likelihood of all students finding a teacher they relate to. That sense of connection may support feelings of school belonging, which research links to better student engagement and less disruptive behavior.
Australian research has also found that primary students and their parents want more male teachers for social reasons rather than academic ones. Some young boys and girls said they wanted to understand how to interact with men.
The parliamentary inquiry is ongoing.
