Experienced returning registration | Victorian Institute of Teaching

Experienced returning registration supports teachers returning to the profession who previously held full registration in Australia or New Zealand.

This registration category recognises previous teaching experience and supports teachers to familiarise themselves with current professional responsibilities, regulatory requirements and the current teaching landscape in Victoria before returning to full registration.

Eligibility

Experienced returning registration is not for everyone. Keep reading to work out if you’re eligible and ready to return to full registration.

Before you apply, you need to know

you can only hold this registration category once (a single 2-year grant)
this pathway doesn’t include an Inquiry process or workplace recommendation panel
you must be actively teaching under this registration category.

Registration requirements

You may be eligible for experienced returning registration if you meet the current registration requirements and previously held full registration in Australia or New Zealand within the

last 5 years (and are not eligible for immediate full registration)
past 5 to 10 years and wish to return to teaching
past 10 to 15 years*

*If you’re applying under the 10-to-15-year pathway, you’ll need to provide evidence of any teaching-related experience whilst away (such as further study, consultancy work, tutoring etc.).

Types of experienced returning registration

There are two types of experienced returning registration

Experienced returning registered teachers can teach in any Victorian primary school, secondary school or specialist education provider.
Experienced returning registered early childhood teachers (ECTs) can teach in Victorian early childhood settings, such as childcare centres, preschools and kindergartens.

Experienced returning registered teachers (ERRTs) can work full-time, part-time or as a casual relief teacher (CRT). Visit the Casual relief teachers page to learn more about working as a CRT and the support available.

Teachers can only work within the settings covered by their registration type unless they hold dual registration. For example, an experienced returning registered early childhood teacher cannot undertake the duties of a teacher in a school.

Visit the FAQs page to learn more.

How to apply

Eligible teachers can apply through their MyVIT account.

For more information about applying for registration, visit the How to register page.

You can also learn about typical processing timeframes on the How long does it take to register page.

Meeting the requirements

Once an application for experienced returning registration has been approved, you can commence the returning to full registration process.

You’ll have two years to do this through our supported Return to Full Registration Pathway, accessible via your MyVIT account.

The pathway is designed to guide you through the five stages of the experienced returning registration requirements, with each stage represented as a module.

The pathway will support you to demonstrate that you’ve

met the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) at the Proficient Teacher level
taught for at least 80 days in one or more Australian or New Zealand schools or early childhood services
refreshed your understanding of the Victorian Teaching Profession’s Code of Conduct and Ethics and other regulatory requirements
had your proficiency and currency of practice attested by your employer.

We encourage you to seek support and feedback in your workplace through

classroom or practice observations
professional discussions
professional learning opportunities.

Please note: the experienced returning registration pathway does not include an Inquiry or panel process.

Returning to full registration

Once you have completed the returning to full registration pathway, you can apply for full registration.

Visit the Returning to full registration page to learn more.

Maintaining your registration

All registered teachers must meet ongoing obligations to maintain their registration.

This includes

paying the annual registration fee by 30 September each year
consenting to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) every five years
keeping your personal and employment details up to date with VIT.

Visit the Maintain my registration page for more information.

Your initial registration fee is paid pro rata and covers your registration from the start date of your provisional registration until the next annual registration deadline on 30 September.

The expiry date shown on your digital registration card reflects the annual registration deadline, not the end date of your provisional registration grant.

You must complete your annual registration tasks and pay the annual fee by 30 September each year. Once completed, your digital registration card will automatically update.

Visit the Registration fees page to learn more.

Need help?

If you have questions about experienced returning registration or need support with the Return to Full Registration Pathway, contact VIT at rtf@vit.vic.edu.au.

Last updated: 19 Oct 2026

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