Published 24 Jul 2024
Employer satisfaction survey results 2023
The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) seeks to support principals and early childhood managers with their teacher registration requirements. We are committed to being responsive to their needs and concerns, and to resolving issues as they arise.
In order to continuously improve the way in which VIT delivers its regulatory functions, we utilise feedback on VIT’s processes, communications and actions.
An employer satisfaction survey was sent to over 2,300 principals and 2,700 early childhood managers in November 2023. Results allow VIT to gauge what we are doing well, identify what areas need to be improved and evaluate suggestions for improvement that we may not have considered.
Website
Feedback regarding VIT’s website was predominately positive with the majority of employers (67%) indicating they are satisfied with website content, although a medium level (27%) of neutral responses indicates there is room for improvement.
Emails, circulars and newsletters
Feedback regarding VIT’s regular employer communications, such as the emails, circulars and the Professional Practice newsletter, was overall positive, with the majority of employers (62%) satisfied with the content and frequency. A medium level (32%) of neutral responses indicates there is room for improvement and / or employers are not engaged enough to read the communications.
Administrative processes
The majority of employers (64%) who had contacted VIT in the last 6 months agree their query was answered in a timely manner, their issue was resolved and they were provided with enough information to understand the situation.
Responses regarding VIT’s administrative processes and communication indicated some employers are frustrated with the accuracy of information being provided and application assessment times.
Numbers of registration applications submitted and levels of engagement with teachers, principals, early childhood managers and other stakeholders increased substantially in the 2023-24 financial year. This includes
- 2.3% increase in the number of initial registration and PTT applications received, excluding PTT (COVID-19) (from 12,866 to 13,162)
- 15% decrease in call volumes (from 53,690 to 52,243)
- 14% increase in email volumes (from 26,419 to 27,516).
Despite the increased demand, VIT has been able to leverage the investment in both our system and our people to maintain service levels consistent with the previous financial year (or within a tolerable deviation).
Performance measure statistics
Performance measure | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
---|---|---|---|
Total application assessment time | 4.3 weeks | 3.8 weeks | 3.1 weeks |
Call answer rate – principal hotline | 97.4% | 96% | 97% |
Average call wait time – Principal hotline | 39.6 seconds | 49 seconds | 64 seconds |
Average email response time | 2 business days | 2 business days | 2 business days |
Permission to teach (PTT) process (n/a for early childhood managers)
Responses regarding the PTT process indicated principals agree it is easy to understand and complete.
However, responses regarding candidates being able to complete their application with minimal issues was evenly divided across agree and disagree, indicating changes need to be made to improve the process.
Other areas in the PTT process have been identified as requiring improvement, including
- application assessments – principals disagreed the application was assessed in a timely manner
- communications / information – principals disagreed the communications / information provided was timely and easy to follow.
See page 4 of our Permission to teach fact sheet to read about common issues that may cause delays in PTT application assessments.
VIT misconceptions
Responses regarding what VIT does and how VIT is funded to deliver its regulatory functions indicated many employers are mistaken or simply don’t know.
The common misconceptions among employers include
Funding
- the majority of employers don’t know whether VIT receives government funding or it is funded solely by teacher registration fees
- however, compared to 2022 survey data, there has been an increase (5%) in employers who do know how VIT is funded.
Advocacy
- the majority of employers incorrectly believe VIT has a legislative remit to lobby on behalf of the teaching profession
- however, compared to 2022 survey data, there has been an increase (5%) in early childhood managers who do know VIT no longer has a legislative remit to advocate on behalf of teachers or the teaching profession.
Statutory authority
- the majority of early childhood managers incorrectly believe VIT is part of the Department of Education (DE).
Registration cards
- the majority of employers incorrectly believe teachers must show their registration card in order to prove they are registered.
Clearing up misconceptions about our role
As an independent, self-funding authority, the VIT regulates the teaching profession in the public interest. Although we report to the Minister for Education, we are not a Victorian Government department or part of the Department of Education.
Some common misconceptions about VIT’s role are clarified in the table below.
Misconception | Correct information |
---|---|
The VIT is a government department | Although we report to the Minister for Education, VIT is not a Victorian Government department. |
The VIT is funded by the government | The VIT is funded solely by teacher registration fees and receives no funding from the Victorian Government. |
The VIT is part of the Department of Education (DE) | The VIT is not part of DE. The VIT registers and regulates members of the teaching profession and DE employs members of the teaching profession. Employment matters are not within the jurisdiction of VIT. |
The VIT advocates on behalf of teachers and the teaching profession | The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) was amended in 2011 to remove VIT’s professional advocacy role, and we no longer have a legislative remit to advocate on behalf of teachers or the teaching profession. |
Registered teachers don’t get anything in return for paying registration fees | The VIT’s wide range of statutory functions are completed on a cost recovery basis, with operational costs funded primarily through teacher registration fees. While many of these functions might not apply to every teacher (e.g. investigating misconduct), this important work provides for the safety and wellbeing of children and ensures the public standing of all teachers. |
Teachers must show their registration card in order to prove they are registered |
Teachers don’t need a card* to prove that they are a registered teacher. Employers can be satisfied that if a person’s name appears on the register of teachers, then they hold valid VIT registration. If their name is displayed in red, they hold non-practising registration and are not able to undertake the duties of a teacher / early childhood teacher. *In 2025, VIT aims to deliver an efficient end-to-end digital self-service experience and create a completely online registration process by introducing digital registration cards. In addition to the register of teachers, registered teachers with a digital registration card will be able to easily retrieve and show their registration status in real time via their smart phone. To effectively plan for the digital transition, a pilot program will be conducted prior to launching digital cards to all registered teachers and early childhood teachers across Victoria. |