The VIT has compiled definitions for our most frequently used terms, government departments and regulatory bodies. If you are unable to find a specific term in this list, please contact us.
C
Casual relief teacher (CRT)
Casual relief teachers (CRTs) or Emergency teachers are casual employees engaged by school councils under Part 2.3 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
School councils may employ casual relief teachers for periods of up to 30 consecutive working days for a range of reasons including
- to replace a teacher absent on leave
- to replace a teacher undertaking other duties or professional development
- to undertake a specific task or activity that requires a registered teacher
CRTs maintain the same registration requirements as all other registered teachers.
Category A offence
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, a category A offence includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following
- sexual offences where the person was an adult and the person against whom the offence was committed was a child;
- child abuse material offences where the person was an adult;
- murder or attempted murder;
- rape or attempted rape;
- forced marriage involving a person under 18 years of age; and
- using a carriage service for sexual activity and /or to transmit an indecent communication to a person under the age of 16 years.
If a person makes an application to VIT for registration / renewal of registration, VIT must refuse the application if the person is currently charged with, or has been convicted or found guilty of a category A offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction. Prior to making this decision, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category A offence.
If the person is a registered teacher, VIT must
- suspend their registration if they are currently charged with a category A offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction; or
- cancel their registration if they have been convicted or found guilty of a category A offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction.
Prior to making this decision, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category A offence.
Category B offence
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, a category B offence includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following:
- sexual offences (other than rape or attempted rape) where the person against whom the offence was committed was not a child;
- sexual offences where the person who committed the offence and the person against whom the offence was committed were children;
- stalking;
- distributing an intimate image or threating to distribute an intimate image;
- some violent offences (other than murder and attempted murder); and
- some drug offences such as trafficking or supplying a drug of dependence to a child.
If a person makes an application to VIT for registration / renewal of registration, VIT must refuse the application if
- the person is currently charged with, or has been convicted or found guilty of a category B offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction; or
- the VIT considers that the person poses an unjustifiable risk to children.
If the person is a registered teacher, VIT may suspend all of their registrations if the person has been charged with a category B offence.
Prior to making any decisions, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category B offence.
Category C conduct
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, category C conduct includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following
- convictions or findings of guilt of an indictable offence
- non-conviction charge of a category A or B offence
- conduct that forms the basis of any disciplinary action taken against a registered teacher by an employer
- conduct that forms the basis of any disciplinary action that has been taken against a person by an entity for which the person works (including as a volunteer) of which VIT becomes aware of under the reportable conduct scheme.
If a person makes an application to VIT for registration / renewal of registration, the VIT may refuse the application if the person has engaged in category C conduct and one of the following applies
- the ability of the person to teach in a school / early childhood service is likely to be affected because of the conduct they engaged in
- it is not in the public interest to allow the person to teach in a school / early childhood service because of the conduct they engaged in.
Prior to making this decision, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category C conduct.
Certificate A
Certificate A means a certificate issued by the Department of Education Victoria to indicate four-year trained teacher status in accordance with Departmental regulations.
Certificate of proficiency / completion
Evidence of proficiency / completion of trade training through an approved authority incorporating indentured employment (Apprenticeship), on-the-job-training and formal studies at an approved institution.
Change of name
In order for VIT to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), we need to know if you have ever been known by another name.
You can provide evidence of all changes of name by supplying a copy of one of the following
- marriage certificate
- a change of name via deed poll or a decree nisi.
If you have recently changed your name, you also need to update your contact details with us.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct has been developed for and by the Victorian teaching profession, and applies to all teachers and early childhood teachers registered with VIT.
The Code of Conduct identifies a set of principles which describe the professional conduct, personal conduct and professional competence expected of a teacher by their colleagues and the community. It is based on the values set out in the accompanying Code of Ethics - integrity, respect and responsibility.
Code of Ethics
The values that underpin our profession are integrity, respect and responsibility. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to
- state the values that guides our practice and conduct
- enable us as a profession to affirm our public accountability
- promote public confidence in our profession.
Commencement documentation
A commencement document is used as valid proof to verify your identity. A person wishing to register is required to provide *one commencement of identity document to confirm your birth or arrival in Australia;
- one primary document to show the use of your identity in the community;
- two secondary documents to show the use of your identity in the community; and
- a completed verification of identity form (downloaded as part of your application).
Commencement of identity documents are
- Australian Citizenship certificate
- Certificate of evidence of resident status
- Certificate of ID issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade to refugees and non-Australian citizens for entry into Australia
- Document of ID issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade to Australian citizens or persons who have the nationality of a Commonwealth country for travel purposes.
Complaints about a teacher
In many cases, concerns a person may have about a teacher can be resolved appropriately by discussing them with the teacher's employer.
We can only deal with complaints that relate to allegations of
- misconduct
- serious misconduct
- serious incompetence
- a teacher’s mental and physical ability to teach.
If the complaint relates to one or more of these areas, then a complaint may be lodged with us about a registered teacher.
We are unable to consider complaints in every circumstance. For example, we cannot investigate
- administrative matters such as
- concerns regarding class allocations or academic grading
- issues about the application of school policies – these should be directed to the school
- concerns about the management of a school that are not specific to a teacher – these issues should be directed to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authorit
- complaints that are malicious, vexatious or not supported by evidence
- certain issues concerning a teacher’s personal life (such as lawful activities undertaken in personal time that have no connection to teaching).
Contact VIT if the person is still unsure about whether we can investigate the complaint.
Conditions
Teachers may have conditions placed on their registration. If a teacher has a condition, it will be noted on their registration card, and may also appear on the employer portal or public register.
A registration card stating ‘This teacher’s registration has conditions’ can relate to any of the following condition types
- agreed - conditions imposed on a teacher’s registration, or imposed through a voluntary agreement with the teacher, which may relate to concerns about health or conduct
- literacy and numeracy – conditions placed on a graduate teacher who is yet to pass the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education
- special needs – conditions placed on teachers who have not yet met the special needs requirement for professional development
- returning from non-practising – conditions placed on teachers returning to teaching after a period of leave to complete 20 days of teaching and 20 hours of professional development.
Conditions are usually for a period of 6-12 months, with documentation required to meet the condition; this may differ depending on individual circumstances.
VIT is unable to provide specific details of the condition(s) on a teacher’s registration - all enquiries in relation to a condition(s) on a particular teacher’s registration should be directed to that individual.
Conduct
The manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation.
The Victorian Teaching Profession's Code of Conduct supports all teachers to understand the expectations of the teaching profession and the community in relation to their professional conduct, personal conduct and professional competence.
The VIT has an overarching function of providing for child safety and wellbeing, and this underpins the principles set out in the Code of Conduct.
As part of a registered profession and a profession of high public trust and accountability, teachers must be aware of and reflect the expectations and standards expected of them – the Code of Conduct can assist teachers to guide their professional and personal conduct.
Continuing education
Part of VIT's functions include developing and maintaining a Professional Learning Framework to support and promote the continuing education and professional development of teachers
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Framework for Teacher Registration in Australia require persons who apply for renewal of registration to demonstrate that they have engaged in at least 20 hours of professional learning and shown evidence that they are continuing their education and professional development.
Criminal offence
A criminal offence is if a person has been
- charged with
- committed for trial for
- convicted or found guilty of a Category A offence or Category B offence.
Category A offences include
- various sexual offences committed by adults against children
- offences relating to child abuse material
- grooming
- murder
- attempted murder.
Category B offences include
- sexual offences against an adult
- sexual offences by a child against another child
- various violence offences
- various drug offences.
CRT network
Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) networks provide an opportunity for casual relief, relieving and emergency teachers (CRTs) to connect with a supportive and like-minded group of colleagues. CRT networks provide relevant and practical professional learning for members, as well as a community for CRTs to connect with other teachers working in a similar context.
CRT networks can provide an ideal place for beginning teachers to connect with, and gain support from more, experienced colleagues working in the same context. These networks are not employment agencies; they exist to support the professional development of CRTs.
Teacher Learning Network (TLN) is a not-for-profit professional development provider for teachers across Victoria, supported by the Australian Education Union (AEU - Victorian branch) and the Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania (IEU). The PD they offer is largely delivered online and through on-demand courses.
Courses are delivered by practising teachers and cover topics including
- pedagogical strategies
- early childhood education
- behaviour management
- gifted and talented
- special needs
- student engagement
- assessment and feedback
- literacy and numeracy
- IT skills
- communication
- leadership
Currency of practice
How up-to-date a teacher's knowledge and practice is in relation to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) at the proficient teacher level.
Casual relief teacher (CRT)
Casual relief teachers (CRTs) or Emergency teachers are casual employees engaged by school councils under Part 2.3 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
School councils may employ casual relief teachers for periods of up to 30 consecutive working days for a range of reasons including
- to replace a teacher absent on leave
- to replace a teacher undertaking other duties or professional development
- to undertake a specific task or activity that requires a registered teacher
CRTs maintain the same registration requirements as all other registered teachers.
Category A offence
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, a category A offence includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following
- sexual offences where the person was an adult and the person against whom the offence was committed was a child;
- child abuse material offences where the person was an adult;
- murder or attempted murder;
- rape or attempted rape;
- forced marriage involving a person under 18 years of age; and
- using a carriage service for sexual activity and /or to transmit an indecent communication to a person under the age of 16 years.
If a person makes an application to VIT for registration / renewal of registration, VIT must refuse the application if the person is currently charged with, or has been convicted or found guilty of a category A offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction. Prior to making this decision, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category A offence.
If the person is a registered teacher, VIT must
- suspend their registration if they are currently charged with a category A offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction; or
- cancel their registration if they have been convicted or found guilty of a category A offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction.
Prior to making this decision, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category A offence.
Category B offence
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, a category B offence includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following:
- sexual offences (other than rape or attempted rape) where the person against whom the offence was committed was not a child;
- sexual offences where the person who committed the offence and the person against whom the offence was committed were children;
- stalking;
- distributing an intimate image or threating to distribute an intimate image;
- some violent offences (other than murder and attempted murder); and
- some drug offences such as trafficking or supplying a drug of dependence to a child.
If a person makes an application to VIT for registration / renewal of registration, VIT must refuse the application if
- the person is currently charged with, or has been convicted or found guilty of a category B offence in Victoria, or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction; or
- the VIT considers that the person poses an unjustifiable risk to children.
If the person is a registered teacher, VIT may suspend all of their registrations if the person has been charged with a category B offence.
Prior to making any decisions, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category B offence.
Category C conduct
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, category C conduct includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following
- convictions or findings of guilt of an indictable offence
- non-conviction charge of a category A or B offence
- conduct that forms the basis of any disciplinary action taken against a registered teacher by an employer
- conduct that forms the basis of any disciplinary action that has been taken against a person by an entity for which the person works (including as a volunteer) of which VIT becomes aware of under the reportable conduct scheme.
If a person makes an application to VIT for registration / renewal of registration, the VIT may refuse the application if the person has engaged in category C conduct and one of the following applies
- the ability of the person to teach in a school / early childhood service is likely to be affected because of the conduct they engaged in
- it is not in the public interest to allow the person to teach in a school / early childhood service because of the conduct they engaged in.
Prior to making this decision, VIT will provide the person with an opportunity to provide further information and documentation relating to the category C conduct.
Certificate A
Certificate A means a certificate issued by the Department of Education Victoria to indicate four-year trained teacher status in accordance with Departmental regulations.
Certificate of proficiency / completion
Evidence of proficiency / completion of trade training through an approved authority incorporating indentured employment (Apprenticeship), on-the-job-training and formal studies at an approved institution.
Change of name
In order for VIT to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), we need to know if you have ever been known by another name.
You can provide evidence of all changes of name by supplying a copy of one of the following
- marriage certificate
- a change of name via deed poll or a decree nisi.
If you have recently changed your name, you also need to update your contact details with us.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct has been developed for and by the Victorian teaching profession, and applies to all teachers and early childhood teachers registered with VIT.
The Code of Conduct identifies a set of principles which describe the professional conduct, personal conduct and professional competence expected of a teacher by their colleagues and the community. It is based on the values set out in the accompanying Code of Ethics - integrity, respect and responsibility.
Code of Ethics
The values that underpin our profession are integrity, respect and responsibility. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to
- state the values that guides our practice and conduct
- enable us as a profession to affirm our public accountability
- promote public confidence in our profession.
Commencement documentation
A commencement document is used as valid proof to verify your identity. A person wishing to register is required to provide *one commencement of identity document to confirm your birth or arrival in Australia;
- one primary document to show the use of your identity in the community;
- two secondary documents to show the use of your identity in the community; and
- a completed verification of identity form (downloaded as part of your application).
Commencement of identity documents are
- Australian Citizenship certificate
- Certificate of evidence of resident status
- Certificate of ID issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade to refugees and non-Australian citizens for entry into Australia
- Document of ID issued by Foreign Affairs and Trade to Australian citizens or persons who have the nationality of a Commonwealth country for travel purposes.
Complaints about a teacher
In many cases, concerns a person may have about a teacher can be resolved appropriately by discussing them with the teacher's employer.
We can only deal with complaints that relate to allegations of
- misconduct
- serious misconduct
- serious incompetence
- a teacher’s mental and physical ability to teach.
If the complaint relates to one or more of these areas, then a complaint may be lodged with us about a registered teacher.
We are unable to consider complaints in every circumstance. For example, we cannot investigate
- administrative matters such as
- concerns regarding class allocations or academic grading
- issues about the application of school policies – these should be directed to the school
- concerns about the management of a school that are not specific to a teacher – these issues should be directed to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authorit
- complaints that are malicious, vexatious or not supported by evidence
- certain issues concerning a teacher’s personal life (such as lawful activities undertaken in personal time that have no connection to teaching).
Contact VIT if the person is still unsure about whether we can investigate the complaint.
Conditions
Teachers may have conditions placed on their registration. If a teacher has a condition, it will be noted on their registration card, and may also appear on the employer portal or public register.
A registration card stating ‘This teacher’s registration has conditions’ can relate to any of the following condition types
- agreed - conditions imposed on a teacher’s registration, or imposed through a voluntary agreement with the teacher, which may relate to concerns about health or conduct
- literacy and numeracy – conditions placed on a graduate teacher who is yet to pass the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education
- special needs – conditions placed on teachers who have not yet met the special needs requirement for professional development
- returning from non-practising – conditions placed on teachers returning to teaching after a period of leave to complete 20 days of teaching and 20 hours of professional development.
Conditions are usually for a period of 6-12 months, with documentation required to meet the condition; this may differ depending on individual circumstances.
VIT is unable to provide specific details of the condition(s) on a teacher’s registration - all enquiries in relation to a condition(s) on a particular teacher’s registration should be directed to that individual.
Conduct
The manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation.
The Victorian Teaching Profession's Code of Conduct supports all teachers to understand the expectations of the teaching profession and the community in relation to their professional conduct, personal conduct and professional competence.
The VIT has an overarching function of providing for child safety and wellbeing, and this underpins the principles set out in the Code of Conduct.
As part of a registered profession and a profession of high public trust and accountability, teachers must be aware of and reflect the expectations and standards expected of them – the Code of Conduct can assist teachers to guide their professional and personal conduct.
Continuing education
Part of VIT's functions include developing and maintaining a Professional Learning Framework to support and promote the continuing education and professional development of teachers
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Framework for Teacher Registration in Australia require persons who apply for renewal of registration to demonstrate that they have engaged in at least 20 hours of professional learning and shown evidence that they are continuing their education and professional development.
Criminal offence
A criminal offence is if a person has been
- charged with
- committed for trial for
- convicted or found guilty of a Category A offence or Category B offence.
Category A offences include
- various sexual offences committed by adults against children
- offences relating to child abuse material
- grooming
- murder
- attempted murder.
Category B offences include
- sexual offences against an adult
- sexual offences by a child against another child
- various violence offences
- various drug offences.
CRT network
Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) networks provide an opportunity for casual relief, relieving and emergency teachers (CRTs) to connect with a supportive and like-minded group of colleagues. CRT networks provide relevant and practical professional learning for members, as well as a community for CRTs to connect with other teachers working in a similar context.
CRT networks can provide an ideal place for beginning teachers to connect with, and gain support from more, experienced colleagues working in the same context. These networks are not employment agencies; they exist to support the professional development of CRTs.
Teacher Learning Network (TLN) is a not-for-profit professional development provider for teachers across Victoria, supported by the Australian Education Union (AEU - Victorian branch) and the Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania (IEU). The PD they offer is largely delivered online and through on-demand courses.
Courses are delivered by practising teachers and cover topics including
- pedagogical strategies
- early childhood education
- behaviour management
- gifted and talented
- special needs
- student engagement
- assessment and feedback
- literacy and numeracy
- IT skills
- communication
- leadership
Currency of practice
How up-to-date a teacher's knowledge and practice is in relation to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) at the proficient teacher level.