Workforce Support and Initiatives for Schools

Overview

The department is delivering several workforce initiatives to support schools. This page provides information about the types of initiatives currently being delivered to support schools to attract, recruit and support teachers.

Attraction

The department’s attraction initiatives provide new pathways and supports to become a classroom teacher and consider employment in regional and rural locations.

These initiatives provide supports for:

• aspiring teachers undertaking studies with Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers
• pre-service Teacher Placements in schools
• supporting future Koorie teachers
• attracting new teachers to rural and regional schools.

Further information is available in the chapter titled Attraction initiatives.

Recruitment

The department’s recruitment initiatives seek to reduce administrative burden, facilitate recruitment efficiencies, and support schools to recruit new teachers.

These initiatives provide supports to:

• streamline and support school recruitment processes
• build the supply of graduate teacher recruitment
• International teacher recruitment.

Further information is available in the chapter titled Recruitment initiatives.

Supporting early-career teachers

The department is delivering a range of supports to help teachers get the best possible start to their careers, continue to grow and enable school leaders find the balance they need to excel.

These initiatives provide supports to:

• new teachers in the early years of their career
• enhance the mentoring skills of existing teachers
• develop and grow STEM teaching skills of teachers
• facilitate professional growth and support for the existing workforce.

Further information is available in the chapter titled Support initiatives.

Retention

Policy and Guidelines for Workforce Support and Initiatives for Schools

The Policy and Guidelines for Workforce Support and Initiatives for Schools contains the following chapters:

• attraction
• recruitment
• supporting early-career teachers
• retention
• career development

Attraction

The department’s attraction initiatives provide new pathways and supports to become a classroom teacher and consider employment in regional and rural locations.

Know someone interested in/currently studying teaching? Here are supports they can access

Teach the Future Fellowships - supporting undergraduate secondary or specialist school teaching degree participants in 2026

There are 200 fellowships available in 2026.

These fellowships offer $10,000 across a 4-year (or part-time equivalent) initial teacher education (ITE) program for eligible applicants. The fellowship will also provide non-financial supports like networking opportunities and mentoring to help you get a head start in your teaching career.

For further information on eligibility and the application process please refer to: Teach the Future Fellowships.

Secondary Teaching Scholarships – supporting secondary teaching degree students with their HELP fees

Scholarships were available to students who enrolled in accredited Victorian secondary school teaching degrees in 2024 and 2025. Scholarships supported the cost of studying and living, and include further payments if students work in Victorian government secondary or specialist school settings after they graduate. The total scholarship payments available for students who complete their studies successfully and then work in Victorian government secondary or specialist school settings for 2 years seek to match the standard student (HELP) fees for a Commonwealth Supported Place in an initial teacher education degree.

Scholarships available to students enrolled in accredited Victorian secondary school teaching degrees are presently closed.

Further information

For further information, refer to: Scholarships for secondary teaching degrees.

Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow – supporting aspiring teachers to change careers through innovative and accelerated employment-based teaching degrees

Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow programs fast-track up to 1,200 student teachers into classrooms through innovative employment-based teaching degrees. These programs offer Victorian government schools a valuable opportunity to address their staffing needs and invest in their future workforce with teaching paraprofessionals while they complete their teaching degrees.

Working in partnership with 8 initial teacher education (ITE) providers, students will be supported by a university mentor and a school-based mentor from their host school and receive a department-funded scholarship while they study for 18 to 24 months.

Further information

For further information about the Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow programs:

• refer to the Teach the Future website
• contact the program team: teach.today.teach.tomorrow@education.vic.gov.au

Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now - supporting future First Nations teachers through employment-based studies

Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now offers Victorian government schools an opportunity to address their staffing needs and invest in their future workforce with First Nations pre-service teachers (PSTs) and/or Education Support (ES) trainees who are completing their Certificate IV training and teaching degrees.

Working in partnership with VET and ITE providers, eligible First Nations PSTs and/or ES trainees can be hired as education support class employees and will receive department-subsidised remuneration through schools while they study for 12 to 24 months. These participants will be supported by cultural mentors, university mentors and school-based mentors.

Further information

For further information relating to the Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now program:

• refer to the:
  • Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now webpage
  • Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now Host School FAQs
  • Host School Expression of Interest form
  • Teach the Future website
• contact the program team: AKTN@education.vic.gov.au

Pre-service teacher Placement Grants Program – encouraging pre-service teacher placements at schools through ITE providers

Support is available to pre-service teachers completing a teaching placement in eligible regional, remote or specialist Victorian government schools. Under the Pre-service Teacher Placement Grant (PPG) Program, pre-service teachers completing placements at eligible schools are supported with a per-day allowance that can be used to cover costs associated with undertaking placements in these schools, such as accommodation, travel, and meal costs. Grants are available for placements completed at eligible schools between 28 January 2026 and 31 December 2026. Grant payments vary based on eligible areas:

• $150 per day for mainstream campuses in small rural towns and remote communities
• $100 per day for mainstream campuses in medium rural towns
• $200 per day for specialist school campuses in small rural towns and remote communities
• $150 per day for specialist school campuses in medium rural towns
• $100 per day for specialist school campuses in metropolitan areas.

Further information

For further information about the eligibility criteria for the PPG program, refer to: Pre-service teacher Placement Grant Program.

To express interest in completing a placement in an eligible school, pre-service teachers should contact their placement coordinator.

Building a pipeline of future recruits

Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow – supporting aspiring teachers to change careers through innovative and accelerated employment-based teaching degrees

Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow programs will fast-track up to 1,200 student teachers into classrooms through innovative employment-based teaching degrees. These programs offer Victorian government schools a valuable opportunity to address their staffing needs and invest in their future workforce with teaching paraprofessionals while they complete their teaching degrees.

Working in partnership with the 8 initial teacher education (ITE) providers, students will be supported by a university mentor and a school-based mentor from their host school and receive a department-funded scholarship while they study for 18 to 24 months.

Further information

For further information about the Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow program refer to the

• Teach Today and Teach Tomorrow webpage
• Teach the Future website
• contact the program team: teach.today.teach.tomorrow@education.vic.gov.au

Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now - supporting future First Nations teachers through employment-based studies

Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now offers Victorian government schools an opportunity to address their staffing needs and invest in their future workforce with First Nations pre-service teachers (PSTs) and/or Education Support (ES) trainees who are completing their Certificate IV training and teaching degrees.

Working in partnership with VET and ITE providers, eligible First Nations PSTs and/or ES trainees can be hired as education support class employees and will receive department-subsidised remuneration through schools while they study for 12 to 24 months. These participants will be supported by cultural mentors, university mentors and school-based mentors.

Further information

• Refer to the Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now webpage
• Refer to the Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now Host School FAQs
• Refer to the Host School Expression of Interest form
• Refer to the Teach the Future website
• Contact the program team: AKTN@education.vic.gov.au

Placements Plus – partnering with Victorian ITE providers to build the quality of pre-service teacher placements

The Placements Plus programs are department-funded partnerships between ITE providers and target mainstream and specialist Victorian government schools in rural, regional and growth areas.

The Placements Plus initiative aims to build and strengthen partnerships between Victorian ITE providers and participating Victorian government schools to improve the quality of pre-service teacher (PST) placements. Participating PSTs receive comprehensive and wraparound placement supports tailored to the context of the host-school environment, including professional learning and supports to strengthen peer, school, and community connections, including engagement with First Peoples. Tailored supports are also provided to participating host-schools, such as additional professional learning for supervising and mentor teachers.

Further information

Further information on the 2026 Placements Plus initiative is available at: Pre-service teacher huband Initial teacher education reforms.

Engage a third or final year Pre-Service Teacher with Permission to Teach – schools can engage third year PST’s to provide support in their schools with Permission to Teach

Many Victorian government schools are employing pre-service teachers with PTT (General) to help meet their staffing needs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets out the parameters and guidelines with respect to pre-service teachers working in Victorian government schools with PTT (General).

The MOU provides a framework for schools and initial teacher education providers to support pre-service teachers who are working in schools with PTT (General) to meet their employment obligations and the academic requirements of their initial teacher education degree, including their pre-service teacher placement requirements.

Further information

Further Information can be found at Pre-service Teachers Working with Permission to Teach

For information about employment of PSTs with PTT (General) contact:

Schools Recruitment Unit
Phone: 1800 641 943

For information about the policy contact:

Reform of Initial Teacher Education
Email: ite@education.vic.gov.au

Pre-service teacher Placement Grants Program – encourage pre-service teacher placements at schools through ITE providers

Support is available to pre-service teachers completing a teaching placement in eligible regional, remote or specialist Victorian government schools. Under the Pre-Service Teacher Placement Grant (PPG) Program, pre-service teachers completing placements at eligible schools are supported with a per-day allowance that can be used to cover costs associated with undertaking placements in these schools, such as accommodation, travel, and meal costs. Grants are available for placements completed at eligible schools between 28 January 2026 and 31 December 2026. Grant payments vary based on eligible areas:

• $150 per day for mainstream campuses in small rural towns and remote communities
• $100 per day for mainstream campuses in medium rural towns
• $200 per day for specialist school campuses in small rural towns and remote communities
• $150 per day for specialist school campuses in medium rural towns
• $100 per day for specialist school campuses in metropolitan areas.

Further information

For further information about the eligibility criteria for the PPG program, refer to: Pre-Service Teacher Placement Grants Program.

To express interest in completing a placement in an eligible school, pre-service teachers should contact their placement coordinator.

Teach Rural Program – host pre-service teachers as part of this department and Country Education Partnership program

The department funded Teach Rural Program involves Country Education Partnership coordinating and supporting groups of pre-service teachers to undertake placements in clusters of rural and regional Victorian government schools, with a suite of supports including fully subsidised accommodation.

Further information

More information on the program is available at: Rural and Regional Pre-service Teacher Placements and Teach rural.

Teacher Financial Incentives – incentives available to support rural, regional and remote schools with attracting excellent teachers to fill hard-to-staff positions

The Victorian Government is providing a funding boost to attract excellent teachers to fill hard-to-staff positions in rural, regional and remote government schools and support those teachers to relocate, and settle into their new roles.

Eligible schools may be eligible to advertise a position with an incentive of up to $50,000 (pre-tax) to attract suitably qualified teachers with further funding available to support eligible teachers to relocate.

Further information

To find out more on how schools can express their interest or for further information, refer to the Targeted initiative to attract more teachers website or email School Recruitments – Financial Incentives at SR.Financial.Incentives@education.vic.gov.au

Recruitment

The department’s recruitment initiatives seek to reduce administrative burden, facilitate recruitment efficiencies, and support schools to recruit new teachers.

What support is available to recruit more teachers and who can assist?

Direct vacancy – streamlined recruitment process for schools and applicants through the Applicant Pool

A direct vacancy simplifies recruitment for schools and applicants. It provides easier access for teachers and education support level 1 range 2 (ES1.2) applicants seeking roles in Victorian government schools, minimises individual role advertisements and reduces administrative burden.

A direct vacancy is designed to assist school recruiters, teachers and education support level 1 range 2 applicants by streamlining the recruitment process. There are 2 ways to apply for teaching service roles in Victorian government schools, by:

• submitting interest in the Applicant Pool to be matched with direct vacancies, or
• searching and applying for available vacancies.

Both processes use School Jobs Vic, however, with the direct vacancy, classroom teachers, graduate teachers and education support level 1 range 2 applicants will benefit from auto-matching to vacancies based on their preferences and will no longer be required to submit a written response to selection criteria. Instead, these criteria will be addressed during the interview stage.

All vacancies must be filled in accordance with the department’s selection procedures (merit based) as set out in the Recruitment in Schools policy and comply with Ministerial Order 1388– Teaching Service (employment conditions, salaries, allowances, selection and conduct) Order 2022.

How a direct vacancy works and its benefits

For Applicants:

• Simplified application process: Applicants register their interest once, attaching a CV/Resume, for all classroom, graduate teacher and education support level 1 range 2 positions in the Applicant Pool, saving the time needed to manage multiple applications.
• Auto-matching: The Applicant Pool will match applicants based on their work preferences, including location, and role preferences.
• Flexibility: Applicants receive email notifications when they are matched with vacancies. They will be able to track their applications, withdraw from unsuitable matches and deselect schools as required.
• No written selection criteria responses: Written responses to the selection criteria are no longer required during the application process. Selection criteria is assessed during the interview stage, making the process more efficient.

For School Recruiters:

• Streamlined recruitment: School recruiters will automatically receive matched applicants against their vacancies without the need to advertise locally.
• Flexibility: School recruiters can use both recruitment methods, one after the other, and can manually search and link applicants to direct vacancies, shortlist, interview, and appoint.
• Reduced vacancy posting time: Vacancies are to remain open for a minimum of 3 days, instead of the usual 14-day period with an advertised vacancy, decreasing the time to appoint a preferred candidate to the position.
• Efficient candidate selection: School recruiters can access applications after the initial 3-day match period to shortlist, interview and address selection criteria, and appoint candidates.

For policy advice relating to direct vacancies through the Applicant Pool, please refer to the advertising vacancies section of the Recruitment in Schools policy.

For recruiter direct vacancy user guides and fact sheets, please refer to the School Jobs Vic help for recruiters (staff login required).

For applicant direct vacancy user guides and fact sheets, please refer to the Applicant Help - School Jobs Vic applicant help (staff login required).

International Teacher Recruitment Supports reducing administrative and financial burdens and helping schools recruit international teachers

Schools can access support for the recruitment of international teachers, including access to specialist migration legal advice and guidance through the Migration Support Service (MSS).

The MSS provides government schools with access to specialist migration legal advice on migration, sponsorship, visa arrangements and general guidance and support on international teacher recruitment.

Schools can benefit from centralised processes that will reduce their administrative and financial burden, streamline the recruitment process and provide access to tailored migration advice to help them make informed decisions about the sponsorship of an international teacher.

Further information

The department's policy guidance can be found on PAL at Employment and Sponsorship of Overseas Workers.

Resources are also available to support schools including Migration support for international recruitment – information for schools and International Teacher Recruitment Advice and Supports.

Schools can register for support with sponsorship nominations by completing an Expression of Interest at Expression of Interest - Migration Support Services.

Contact: Schools.Initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

Central Workforce Support Service – providing personalised assistance and support to schools

Central Workforce Support Services (CWSS) provides dedicated support to schools facing teacher recruitment challenges by working closely with principals and offering tailored assistance. CWSS services range from candidate sourcing and accessing workforce initiatives designed to attract and retain teachers.

The services provided by CWSS include:

• Comprehensive Recruitment Support: CWSS collaborates with schools to offer full support throughout the recruitment process, simplifying the steps involved in finding suitable candidates.
• Personalised Recruitment and Retention Advice: CWSS provides strategic, tailored advice to meet the specific needs of each school. This guidance is aimed at helping schools effectively attract and retain qualified teachers.
• Proactive Candidate Sourcing: The CWSS team actively sources candidates for both long-term and casual relief teacher (CRT) roles, ensuring schools have a pool of potential candidates ready when needed.
• Access to department recruitment Initiatives: CWSS helps schools tap into a variety of departmental recruitment initiatives aimed at improving teacher attraction, recruitment, and retention, thereby streamlining and enhancing the hiring process.

Further information

For more information contact the Schools Workforce Initiatives and Support on:

• phone: 03 7022 5555
• email: Schools.Initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

How to attract more teachers to schools?

Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative – supports schools to attract graduate teachers by advertising with a financial incentive

The Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative (GTRI) offers an incentive of $5,650 (pre-tax) for eligible graduate teachers taking up a graduate position. Schools who wish to participate can opt-in to be part of the initiative with costs as follows:

• Graduate teacher positions are advertised with a $5,650 incentive available
• Schools fund the incentive directly, plus a 10% administration fee ($565 per graduate).

This initiative provides schools with strategic recruitment advice and actively supports the administration undertaken centrally for the end-to-end coordination of the program, including:

• Advertising and promoting vacancies on School Jobs Vic and external platforms such as SEEK Grad
• Sourcing graduate teachers from the applicant pool
• Assessing preferred candidate eligibility and supporting school selection processes
• Processing incentive payments for eligible Graduate Teachers through eduPay
• Providing guidance and support to schools where adjustments or recovery of incentive payments may be required
• Engagement with 3rd and 4th year teaching students across Victorian universities to promote the department as an employer of choice

The GTRI has established partnerships with various education providers to support the transition of pre-service teaching students and graduates into the teaching workforce. To attract aspiring graduate teachers and promote department graduate employment opportunities, GTRI also conducts engaging online and in-person presentations that inform graduates of available job opportunities, the benefits of employment in a Victorian government school, and guides them through the application process.

To be eligible for employment under this initiative, candidates must:

• be a teaching graduate who has completed all course requirements and graduated within the past 4 years
• not be employed as a teacher by the department at the time the advertised position is to commence
• commit to a minimum one-year employment at a Victorian government school to retain the incentive
• be currently registered (or eligible for registration) with the Victorian Institute of Teaching
• not be a Graduate Teacher Recruitment Incentive recipient from a previous vacancy.

Schools can advertise between 2.0 and 8.0 FTE graduate positions per year, based on their school type and SRP entitlement:

• up to 2.0 FTE in primary, P–12, and specialist schools
• an additional 2.0 FTE for primary, P–12 or specialist schools with SRP over $2 million, and secondary schools with SRP over $5 million
• an additional 4.0 FTE for SRP over $8 million.

The GTRI process guide can be found on the Resources tab.

How to participate

All schools can participate where they have available graduate vacancies. To opt-in, contact the GTRI team, who will assist with vacancy creation and manage the end-to-end process.

Further information

• Further information about the Teacher Graduate Recruitment program requirements is available under the Advertising vacancies section of the Recruitment in Schools policy
• For more information on recruiting a graduate teacher through this initiative, visit Commence your teaching career at a Victorian government school
• Contact: Schools.Initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

Use special payments to help attract and retain teachers – provide payments of up to $10,000 to help attract or retain teachers for schools

Schools can offer special payments of up to $10,000 to help attract or retain teachers for their schools. These payments can be paid as a lump sum or on a fortnightly basis.

Special payments may range between $925 and $10,000 per annum (in one or more lump sum payments).

Further information

For more information on using special payments, refer to Special Payments.

Supporting early-career teachers

The department is delivering a range of supports to provide teachers with the best start to their career, and to support them to grow and to help school leaders find the balance they need to excel.

Supports for First-Year Early Career Teachers

Career Start – transforming the first years of the teaching career

Career Start is a structured program for early-career teachers which increases teacher retention and aims to improve their experience as they are inducted into the profession. Career Start provides time release, practice-focused mentoring, professional development and access to a regionally-based Learning Alliance Leader (experienced teacher) to early career teachers and their mentors to accelerate their professional practice and support their wellbeing. Career Start ran a successful pilot from 2021 to 2023, then expanded in 2024 and 2025.

Career Start is now available in all Victorian government schools in these 13 areas:

For further information, refer to Career Start: transforming the first years of the teaching career.

VIT mentor programs – enhancing the mentoring knowledge and skills of experienced teachers

The Effective Mentoring Program (EMP) is designed to enhance the mentoring knowledge and skills of experienced teachers who hold full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) so they can support graduate and returning teachers to progress from provisional to full registration with the VIT, and act as the VIT-trained mentor on workplace recommendations panels.

The program is delivered as a partnership between the department and the VIT.

For further information, refer to Effective Mentoring Program.

Retention

The department’s retention initiatives aim to retain hard working and highly skilled teachers and school leaders. The initiatives also assist registered teachers, not currently teaching, to return to and remain in the profession.

Reduction in maximum face-to-face teaching time

The Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 included a landmark reduction in the maximum face-to-face teaching hours for primary, secondary and specialist school teachers by 1 hour in 2023, with a further reduction of 30 minutes in 2024. Through additional funding of $779 million, this initiative gives teachers more time to plan and collaborate and means teachers will have the lowest face to face teaching time of government school teachers across the country.

Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative - supports schools to attract experienced returning teachers through a school-funded placement of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools

Participating teachers can re-familiarise themselves with the school environment, take part in classroom observations and other teaching activities, and receive mentoring from current teachers.

The Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative (TREI) supports:

• teachers return to teaching following a career break or retirement.
• schools with attracting experienced returning teachers.

The TREI team works alongside schools to co-ordinate placement activities, including access to professional development and tailored resources. Together, principals and returning teachers determine specific placement activities that best align with the teacher's individual needs for a successful return to the workforce.

Further information

For more information about the TREI:

• Refer to:
  • Teacher Re-engagement Initiative
  • Process map
• Contact: returningteachers@education.vic.gov.au

Operational teaching assistants pilot

The Operational Teaching Assistants (OTA) pilot aims to ease the administrative load on teachers and enable them to focus on duties that require their professional skills and judgement.

OTA roles and responsibilities will align with those of an Education Support level 1 range 2 position in accordance with the Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA) 2022. Schools must tailor the role within the parameters of the VGSA, the program guidelines and the unique context of their school.

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor.

Examples of the types of work the staff employed under the pilot may be responsible for include:

• Setting up the classroom for the day or for a particular activity, preparing resources, sourcing or collating learning materials, assisting with preparing equipment for students with additional needs and recording student attendance.
• Collection of and administration related to permission notes and payments for activities, such as camps and excursions; booking buses and venues; completing risk assessments and associated documentation; auditing, ordering and organising classroom materials and resources; and purchasing event specific supplies.
• Supporting teachers to communicate with parents/carers through the relevant school platform, such as classroom specific events or reminders.
• Following school-determined processes for actioning external service requests, such as NDIS providers. For example, booking rooms, developing timetables, collecting and checking permissions and updating routine records for teachers.
• Uploading teacher completed documents onto online systems, including entering teacher determined student data.
• Complete template documents for camps and excursions
• Convert documents from one place to another for teachers, such as upload plans onto the school’s Student Management System.

This role does not involve working with students and is supporting the administrative and operational work of teachers.

Funding from the Australian Government will cover 50% of the employment and oncosts of the new roles with the participating schools required to cover the remaining 50% of the costs.

Further information

• Refer to:
  • School Guidelines and FAQ
• Contact: teacher.workload.reduction@education.vic.gov.au

Career Development

Teachers who could do with more professional opportunities/recognition

Subsidised programs to develop STEM teachers – encourage teachers to participate in subsidised programs to develop their STEM teaching specialisms

Targeted initiatives in STEM for teacher training include:

• The Primary Mathematics and Science Specialist Initiative (PMSS) is a 2-year program designed to drive whole school change through upskilling primary teachers in government schools to become specialists in either science or mathematics – contact: PMSS@education.vic.gov.au
• Two new Mathematics Education Micro Credentials (MEMC), will be available to Years 7 to 10 teachers in Victorian government schools from July 2026 to June 2028. The MEMC are aligned to Curriculum and the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and support teachers to do what they do best – teach. Sessions are designed to strengthen Mathematics Content Knowledge (MCK), Specialised Mathematics Knowledge (SMK), and pedagogical content knowledge, with particular emphasis on supporting out-of-field teachers. Each MEMC can be completed in one semester – contact: MEMC@education.vic.gov.au.

Establish Leading Teachers and Learning Specialist roles – provide career pathways to teachers and build leadership profiles and provide greater support to classroom teachers

Leading teacher and learning specialist positions are tenured for up to 5 years with the tenure specified in the position advertisement. The successful applicant will be ongoing with tenure in the leadership position.

These promotion opportunities provide a career path for teachers and focus on building teaching practice within schools.

For more information about Leading Teacher and Learning Specialist roles refer to Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning – support engagement in professional learning programs at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership

Support teachers to build their professional skills and explore the professional learning opportunities available to provide the training and support teacher needs to lead change and improve student outcomes.

For more information refer to Professional Learning

Disability Inclusion Professional Learning opportunities for teachers – upskill in learning difficulties and inclusive and specialist education

The Master of Inclusive Education and Graduate Certificate Initiative provides access to funded postgraduate study in inclusive and specialist education or learning difficulties. It aims to build the capability and confidence of Victorian teachers and regional workforces to strengthen inclusive teaching practices for students with diverse learning needs.

Aligned with the Disability Inclusion reform, this substantial departmental investment empowers schools and regional teams to develop their expertise in inclusive education, driving a positive, system-wide impact. For more information, refer to the Master of Inclusive Education and Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) webpages.

Email: inclusive.ed.scholarships@education.vic.gov.au or call 03 9084 8496.

Flexible Work Arrangements for School Leaders supports principals and school leaders to work more flexibly, promoting improved work–life balance and reducing administrative burden

Flexible work arrangements for school leaders can support leaders in Victorian government schools, including principals, assistant principals, learning specialists and leading teachers, to access part-time and job-share arrangements while continuing to build their leadership capability and experience. School leaders could have a crossover day with their job-share partner or create a new or expanded part-time arrangement within a school’s leadership team, if funding permits.

By creating more flexible leadership pathways, school leaders remain in the profession, strengthen their skills and continue their career development while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. It also reduces administrative pressure by providing additional leadership support and promoting sustainable ways of working. Schools that wish to promote flexible work arrangements for leaders in their school will need to meet the cost from their existing budget and may also require school council approval.

For more information refer to Flexible Work for Principals.

For any questions, please contact Schools.Initiatives@education.vic.gov.au.

Resources

Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now – Host School FAQs

The following FAQs provide responses to common questions for schools hosting candidates participating in Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now:

• Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now Host School FAQs

Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative

The following process guide support schools with the process of recruiting a graduate teacher through the Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative:

• Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative - Recruitment Process Guide (PDF)

Operational Teaching Assistants' Pilot

The following guidelines and FAQs provides information and responses to common questions relating to the Operational Teaching Assistants Pilot:

• School Guidelines and FAQ (PDF)

Workforce Strategy

The Workforce Strategy outlines the department’s school workforce initiatives and support for teachers.

• Schools Workforce Initiatives (PDF) (education.vic.gov.au)
• Teacher Workforce Initiatives and Supports (PDF)

Flexible Work for School Leaders initiative

The following guide supports schools with information regarding the Flexible Work for School Leaders Initiative:

• Information Guide Flexible Work for School Leaders Initiative 2026 (PDF)