1st year – Primary Teaching Foundation (PTF)

The following overview describes the full one-year PTF program. If you wish to enrol in individual modules, please see the PTF Modules course page HERE.

No prior qualification is required to enter this course, but a tertiary qualification is required to enter into formal teaching at any level of education in Australia.

Course Overview

The first-year Primary Teaching Foundation (PTF) course is delivered part-time, offering the flexibility of a hybrid teacher training program.

Upon successful completion of all seven modules, graduates receive a Certificate of Completion for the Foundation year and become eligible to continue into the second-year Primary Certificate program to further deepen their studies.

Course Delivery

Modules are presented primarily online through weekly webinars held during Australian school terms, with practical elements delivered in person during the Autumn and Spring Seminars.

2026 Course Timeline:

Course Participants

This foundation course welcomes teachers, educators, and aspiring educators beginning their journey toward becoming Rudolf Steiner Primary Teachers, as well as homeschool providers wishing to deepen their understanding of Steiner education and enrich their home-learning environment.

While no prior teaching qualification is required for enrolment, please note that an Australian tertiary qualification is necessary to teach professionally at any level within the Australian education system.

The course may be completed sequentially through full enrolment in the PTF course or progressively by undertaking each module individually.

2026 Course Timeline:

Full Course Fee

A$3,800 – includes all modules, assignments, and seminars (GST not applicable)

A group discount is available for schools enrolling multiple teachers. Please contact the course coordinator to learn more.

If you wish to enrol in individual modules, please see the PTF Modules course page HERE

Payment Options

1.    Pay in Full; OR
2.    Pay per term (4 equal payments, due at the beginning of each term)

Learn about payment options and support >

Please note:

• Term payments are due on the following dates: Feb 2, May 2, August 2, Oct 2
• Please note that your first payment must be made to secure your place. This amount will be deducted from your total course fees. The next invoice will be due in February 2026, unless you have paid the full course fee upfront.

Early bird discount of 10% applies to full payment applications received before 15 December 2025

Please consult your tax advisor about tax deductibility.

Refunds and Cancellation Policy

Outcomes

To complete the Foundation Course and receive a Statement of Completion, students will need to have successfully completed all webinars, module study, tasks and seminars.

Successful completion of the full first-year Foundation Course for Primary Teaching (PTF) will enable the student to progress to the second-year Certificate course. Completion of both the first and second year program for Primary Teaching will equip the student with the required Steiner/Waldorf qualification for teaching in a Steiner/Waldorf primary/elementary school setting, aligned with Pedagogical Section standards for Steiner teachers, and recognised by Steiner Education Australia.

Please be aware that while a previous teaching qualification is not required for enrolment in this course, an Australian tertiary qualification is required for teaching professionally at any level of education in Australia.

Why study at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College?

Our courses are well-established and guided by a staff of highly experienced and respected tutors. We offer flexibility in our delivery, the opportunity to engage with the content and receive a thorough grounding in the foundations of Rudolf Steiner education. The student also has the opportunity to meet others who will support their journey and work in a class environment of like-minded people. In addition, our programs support the transition from mainstream into Steiner education. Our rigorous courses are recognised both in Australia (SEA and SECA) and internationally (IASWECE).

Career Path and Employment

There are excellent employment prospects for Steiner-trained teachers who have completed our Primary Teaching Foundation and Certificate Courses. There is an ever-increasing demand for qualified Steiner/ Waldorf teachers as Steiner Education continues to expand in Australia and throughout the world. At present, there are over 40 Steiner Schools (including State schools with Steiner Streams) in Australia requiring on average 2 or more new Steiner Teachers each year. There are currently over 1,100 Steiner schools worldwide in 64 different countries and nearly 2,000 Early Years settings in more than 70 countries.

All our courses are endorsed by Steiner Education Australia (SEA).

Testimonials

“I found the course content and delivery to be incredibly well structured, relevant and simply beautiful! My expectations were far exceeded and I am even more glad to have started this journey of bringing Steiner education to the world through my own values and passion.” – PTF Student, 2023

“The course content and delivery brought Rudolf Steiner’s work and Steiner education so beautifully alive for me. Every lecture felt nourishing and met with me on every level so as to enrich me, grow me, inspire me and fill me with love.”  – PTF Student, 2023

The seminar has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for me. Over and above the content and lectures it has been a joy to connect with the other students doing the course. The connections we have made will carry us forward feeling so much more supported and enriched. – PTF Student, 2023

“The content was rich, inspiring and practical. There was so much deep wisdom, experience and passion expressed to us by our incredible teachers. The delivery was honest and engaging, making it a joy to listen to, understand and integrate.” – PTF Student, 2023

“The course content was extensive and very beautifully articulated by all the lecturers. There was much passion in creating the curriculum, as it really covered everything a new Waldorf teacher would require. Delivery was executed in a way a Waldorf child would be taught. This allowed me to see how it should be brought about to a child.” – PTF Student, 2023

“I am deeply grateful for all the efforts, energy and love that was behind the organisation of the course.” – PTF Student, 2022

“The lecturers were warm and provided so much wisdom. They and the content they were delivering was engaging and able to be applied to work and personal life.
I feel I grew both as a person as well as building on my anthroposophy knowledge within the PTF course.” – PTF Student, 2022

“I was honestly impressed with the calibre of the teachers. These courses were very much hands-on and I came away with many new and exciting resources to take back to the classroom. I feel enriched and inspired. I learnt techniques that were fresh and exciting along with a new delivery approach for my students. Thank you for your dedication to give us such an enlivened experience.” – PTF Student, 2021