Before teaching in any Victorian school, those who have recently graduated or are about to graduate from a Victorian initial teacher education (ITE) or early childhood (EC) program will be required to apply for provisional registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

Prior to submitting an application, it’s helpful for pre-service teachers to understand VIT’s role as the profession’s regulator.

Why is VIT registration important to the profession?

The VIT is an independent statutory authority for the teaching profession, whose primary function is to regulate members of the teaching profession.

It is a legal requirement for all teachers to be registered with VIT in order to be employed as a teacher in a Victorian school or early childhood setting.

Our strategic plan articulates our vision and objectives and ensures the teaching profession in Victoria is respected for its crucial role in delivering excellence in education.

VIT registration is important for the teaching profession, and maintains professional status, standing and public confidence.

When performing of its regulatory functions, VIT must have regard to raising quality teaching and providing for the safety and wellbeing of children, including by taking into account community expectations.

How does VIT regulate the teaching profession?

To ensure its regulation is comprehensive, VIT regulates teachers across all systems and sectors including teaching professionals in government, independent and Catholic systems across primary, secondary and early childhood sectors, as well as in non-education settings such as zoos and hospitals.

To ensure pre-service teachers are well prepared, VIT approves and accredits initial teacher education programs as well as pathway programs.

To protect professional standards, VIT ensures all provisionally registered teachers demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) through VIT’s full registration process.

VIT also requires fully registered teachers to undertake standards-referenced professional development to substantiate their competence at the proficient level.

To ensure standards are maintained, VIT operates a rigorous process to investigate and takes actions where there is evidence of inappropriate or unprofessional conduct.

What are teachers' professional responsibilities?

Teachers are responsible for meeting and maintaining high standards of professional practice and conduct.

The Victorian Teaching Profession's Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics are public statements developed for and by the teaching profession to

• reflect shared principles about practice, conduct and ethics to be applied to promote the highest standards of professional practice
• enable registered teachers to reflect on their ethical decisions
• establish the quality of behaviour that reflects the expectations of the profession and the community
• provide a clear statement to the community about these expectations.

The Codes are designed to help teachers navigate and resolve difficult professional and ethical dilemmas. While there may be no single correct solution, teachers should be able to account for their actions by referring to the Codes.