All new teachers in South Australia will be required to have a masters degree from 2020.
The state government says the move will help lift the quality and status of teachers and will be a first in Australia.
"We need to raise the status of teaching and education leadership as important, highly-valued jobs that are equal in terms of community impact to being a doctor or engineer," Premier Jay Weatherill said on Tuesday.
"These changes will ensure that new teachers coming into the system, replacing experienced teachers who are retiring, are highly skilled."
Under current arrangements teachers need a four-year bachelor degree to teach in primary and middle schooling.
For secondary teaching, a three-year bachelor degree is required in the area they intend to teach, along with a teaching qualification, which ranges from 18 months to two years.
University of South Australia vice chancellor David Lloyd said introducing the requirement of a masters level of study will ensure teachers are equipped with the skills and resilience to help children succeed.
"Introducing the masters-level requirement to teacher education sets a standard in South Australia which ensures not only the best and brightest will teach in our classrooms into the future, but also will ensure we keep pace with nations around the world," he said.
Education Minister Jennifer Rankine said to help existing teachers upgrade their qualifications 240 scholarships of $20,000 each would be offered between 2015 and 2020.
Successful applicants will need to commit to teaching in a public school for three years at the completion of their study.
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