Teacher - Specialised Autism Learning Program

Department Of Education, Western Australia; Bunbury; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Department Of Education, Western Australia in Bunbury is seeking a permanent full-time Specialist Autism Learning Program (SALP) classroom teacher to commence Term 1, 2027. The SALP provides individualized, neurodiversity-affirming support for autistic students, with dedicated homerooms and collaboration with education assistants to foster engagement and progress.

As a SALP teacher, you will implement tailored plans, collaborate across settings, and contribute to a whole-school approach to

Qualifications

• Apply evidence-based pedagogy for improving student outcomes relevant to the WA curriculum.
• Knowledge and/or a commitment to participate in relevant training, positive behaviour support and a range of evidenced-based teaching practices to improve student outcomes.
• Monitor, review and report on the performance of students by creating individualised learning plans, maintaining relevant, rigorous and valid programming, data collection and reporting systems.
• Efficiently deploy resources and manage a team of education assistants to ensure program fidelity.
• Display high level interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues, parents, students and the school community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualised plans that focus on building students' organisational skills, social cognition, positive peer relationships, and emotional self-regulation.
• Lead your SALP homeroom using evidence-based approaches alongside education assistants, fostering a supportive environment tailored to neurodivergent students.
• Apply strategies aligned with the National Guideline: For supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia to ensure inclusive practices.
• Collaborate with the wider school community to ensure consistent support for students across settings, recognising each student’s unique strengths, challenges, and identity.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to build your capacity to deliver inclusive, supportive education for autistic students.
• Work alongside the Program Coordinator and senior leadership to drive whole-school approaches to inclusivity and engagement, ensuring positive outcome.

Job description

This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027

At Eaton Community College (CC), our vision is clear: students are Supported to learn, Empowered to achieve, and Equipped to succeed. Our motto, Encouraging, Caring and Challenging, underpins our commitment to a school where belonging drives learning and achievement is defined by progress, purpose and capability.

Eaton CC is a growing secondary school with a clear improvement agenda. We are investing in high-quality learning environments and future-focused programs that expand opportunities for our students. We seek staff who build strong relationships, hold high expectations and contribute to collective impact. Our leadership team prioritises professional growth and collaboration to ensure every student experiences high-quality teaching and learning.

Find out more about our school by visiting or .

The Role

The Specialist Autism Learning Program (SALP) provides individualised, neurodiversity-affirming support designed to engage students in their learning, enhance academic achievement, and foster the development of essential adaptive skills. Targeting autistic students at risk of disengagement or underachievement, the program aims to remove barriers to learning and create an environment where students can thrive.

As a classroom teacher in an SALP, you will be ideally instrumental in implementing the following key elements to support your students' learning and wellbeing:

• Tailored Plans: Develop and implement individualised plans that focus on building students' organisational skills, social cognition, positive peer relationships, and emotional self-regulation.
• Dedicated Homerooms: Lead your SALP homeroom using evidence-based approaches alongside education assistants, fostering a supportive environment tailored to neurodivergent students.
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Strategies: Apply strategies aligned with the "National Guideline: For supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia" (Autism CRC, 2022) to ensure inclusive practices.
• Whole-School Support: Collaborate with the wider school community to ensure consistent support for students across settings, recognising each student’s unique strengths, challenges, and identity.

As a teacher in this role, you will ideally collaborate closely with the SALP Program Coordinator to ensure the success of the program and:

• Engage in Professional Learning: Participate in ongoing professional development to build your capacity to deliver inclusive, supportive education for autistic students.
• Contribute to Strategic Planning: Work alongside the Program Coordinator and senior leadership to drive whole-school approaches to inclusivity and engagement, ensuring positive outcome.

To be suitable for this role, you will ideally need to display the following work related requirements in relation to teaching students with autism spectrum disorder without a diagnosed intellectual disability:

• Apply evidence-based pedagogy for improving student outcomes relevant to the WA curriculum.
• Knowledge and/or a commitment to participate in relevant training, positive behaviour support and a range of evidenced-based teaching practices to improve student outcomes.
• Monitor, review and report on the performance of students by creating individualised learning plans, maintaining relevant, rigorous and valid programming, data collection and reporting systems.
• Efficiently deploy resources and manage a team of education assistants to ensure program fidelity.
• Display high level interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues, parents, students and the school community.

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education comes with a wide range of benefits designed to support both your professional and personal well-being. These benefits include competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, extensive training and career development opportunities, and attractive leave provisions. Here are some of the key benefits you will enjoy:

• 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
• Free relocation

Find out more about the benefits by visiting .

For additional information to all allowances and housing please contact Housing and Transport at or on [phone].

Mobility appointments for permanent metropolitan and south west teachers

Eligible permanent teachers who hold a substantive teaching position in a North or South Education Region school, or a South West Education Region school* may elect to undertake this role as a 3-year mobility appointment, with a right of return to their substantive position. At the cessation of the 3-year mobility appointment, teachers can elect to return to their substantive role, or transfer permanently into this school.

Find out if you are eligible .

*Note that south west teachers are not eligible to move to another south west school under this trial.

Want to know more?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Rebecca King, Program Coordinator SALP on [phone] or emailing .

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• hold an eligible .
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment. More information about employment eligibility can be found on our .
• apply for a WA Working with Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 26 October 2026

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/TCH1063961

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.