The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) is improving the Permission to Teach (PTT) framework and the way we assess overseas teaching qualifications. These reforms support Victoria’s teaching workforce while maintaining the high standards that keep children and young people safe. They are designed to make our policies and processes clearer, more consistent and easier to navigate.
Whether you are a PTT holder, school leader, initial teacher education provider, registered training organisation or overseas-qualified teacher, this page provides the latest information about the reforms and what they mean for you.
Reform program overview
On 18 December 2024, VIT received a Direction from the Minister for Education to undertake a review of our approach to:
- assessing applications for registration as a teacher from applicants with overseas teaching qualifications and experience (Report 1); and
- granting permission to teach (PTT), including our PTT policy and how it is applied (Report 2).
The two reports were submitted to the Minister who has provided in principle support for the recommendations. Read the reports:
We welcomed this opportunity to improve our policies and processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, proportionate and responsive to the needs of the education system. We recognise the Victorian education system is facing challenges relating to teacher workforce shortages and we are committed to supporting access to qualified educators while maintaining confidence in the profession.
Consultation and engagement
Meaningful engagement is an important part of reform implementation. We are working with schools, education sector stakeholders and other partners to help ensure changes are practical, effective and informed by experience.
Supervision and Support Agreement consultation
Consultation on proposed employer agreements is being undertaken in stages to ensure feedback is gathered from a broad range of stakeholders.
- Phase 1A - targeted consultation with school leaders from schools with significant use of PTT arrangements
- Phase 1B - broader consultation with all Victorian school leaders
- Phase 2 - consultation on the proposed agreements and implementation arrangements
Feedback fathered through each phase will help shape the final approach.
Legislative changes
The Victorian Parliament has passed legislative amendments through the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Schools and Other Matters) Bill 2026. The changes support implementation of the PTT reforms and build on recommendations from VIT's review.
Why are the changes being made?
The legislative changes respond to teacher workforce shortages, while ensuring schools continue to have access to qualified educators.
The reforms also create a clearer and more transparent legislative framework, with stronger oversight and accountability arrangements.
What is changing?
As part of the reforms, Permission to Teach (PTT) will become Conditional Authority to Teach (CATT). The new name reflects the legislative framework, under which an authority to teach may be granted subject to specified conditions.
The amendments:
- strengthen and modernise the existing framework
- formally establish the scheme in legislation
- create a more structured and transparent authorisation process
- support monitoring of compliance requirements
- provide mechanisms to respond when requirements or conditions are not met.
Learn more about the legislation.
What the reforms mean for you
PTT holders
There are no immediate changes to existing Permission to Teach grants. Existing arrangements remain in place, and no action is required at this stage. We will provide information and guidance before any new arrangements commence.
Schools
Schools will play an important role in the successful implementation of the reforms. We will continue working closely with employers and sector stakeholders to develop practical arrangements that support schools and educators. Existing grants will transfer automatically, and no action is required at this stage.
Initial teacher education (ITE) providers and Registered Training organisations (RTOs)
There are no immediate changes for ITE providers and RTOs at this stage, and no action is required. As implementation progresses, we will provide updates about internship policies, PTT arrangements, specialist instructor pathways, vocational education settings and related guidance.
Overseas qualifications: progress update
The VIT is also improving how we assess overseas teaching qualifications to make the process clearer, more consistent and easier to navigate. Since submitting Report 1 in February 2025, we have implemented five of the seven recommendations.
What has changed?
Improved assessment practices
We have strengthened assessment process to improve consistency, transparency, and quality by - improving systems and processes - using higher-quality research tools - defining key terms using national and international approaches - improving the use of data
Clearer assessment outcomes
Assessment outcome letters now provide clearer information about the decision, what it means for the applicant, and what to do next.
National collaboration
We have established a community of practice with teacher regulatory authorities across Australia to support assessment work and align assessment practices.
What happens next?
We are progressing the two remaining recommendations:
- Considering professional experience: We are reviewing how other jurisdictions and professional regulators consider professional experience when assessing qualifications. This will help inform consultation in 2027 on whether, and how, professional experience could be considered when assessing overseas teaching qualifications.
- Supporting pathways to registration: As part of consultation on Conditional Authority to Teach (CATT), we are seeking feedback on option for overseas-qualified teachers who have minor qualification gaps. This includes exploring pathways that may allow individuals to work while completing additional study or training to meet registration requirements.
We will continue to provide updates as the reforms progress.
Stakeholder feedback remains an important part of this work and will help us improve our assessment policies, processes and communications.