Currently, the decline in teacher numbers has become an important topic for discussion in the field of teachers' work in Australia. The purpose of this article is to discuss current initiatives being implemented by both the Australian federal government and the South Australian state government to retain and attract prospective teachers and some of the postmodern trends influencing the nature of teachers' work. It begins by setting out the key initiatives being introduced. This is followed by a discussion of economic and political changes reshaping teaching as a profession. It is argued that teachers are increasingly subject to reformist policies as governments seek to enhance human capital in the face of globalized competition. Thus, it comes as no surprise that teaching as a profession is at an all-time low in Australia.