“Education is the most powerful cause for good in this country, it changes lives", he told the conference, acknowledging the important role Catholic education plays in providing the “life-changing opportunity of a great education”.

“Catholic education has made an enormous contribution to young people, their families, parishes and communities in Australia for more than 200 years," he said.

“You are a big part of education in this country, and I'm delighted to be working with you on this great endeavour.

"You are discussing many of the issues we are focusing on at a national level: teacher workforce, school improvement and mental health and wellbeing.

“I don’t want us to be in a country where your chances in life depend on your postcode, your parents, or the colour of your skin,” he said.

“None of us want that. But that’s where we are today. I want to work with you to turn that around.

“Teachers are a key part of that. There aren’t many jobs more important than being a teacher and we don’t have enough of them.

"More and more teachers are leaving the profession early because they feel burnt out, worn out.

"That’s why I brought together teachers, principals, and other education experts with State and Territory Ministers last month to develop a plan to tackle this," he said.

Minister Clare said NCEC executive director Jacinta Collins had made an important contribution to the national education action plan to address the issues of teacher demand, supply and retention.

"We agreed to take action to do effectively three things: encourage more young people to become teachers, better prepare them for the classroom, and help keep the incredible teachers we have got."

Work has started on that Action Plan, and it will be presented to Education Ministers in December.

Photos courtesy of Minister Clare's office and NCEC.