Published 24 Sep 2025
Strengthening Victoria’s Teaching Workforce: VIT Releases Key Reform Recommendations
The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) has released two significant reports outlining proposed reforms to enhance the assessment of overseas teaching qualifications and modernise the Permission to Teach (PTT) framework.
These reports are part of VIT’s ongoing commitment to responsive regulation and continuous improvement, ensuring that Victoria’s teaching workforce remains strong, diverse, and well-supported.
Supporting Overseas-Trained Teachers
The Assessment of Overseas Teaching Qualifications report proposes a more flexible and transparent approach to recognising overseas qualifications. Key recommendations include:
- Introducing a pre-assessment service to help prospective applicants understand their eligibility before relocating.
- Considering relevant teaching experience alongside formal qualifications.
- Enhancing clarity and consistency in the assessment process.
These changes aim to position Victoria as a globally attractive destination for qualified teachers, while maintaining the high standards expected of the profession.
Modernising Permission to Teach
The Permission to Teach Policy Review outlines a series of reforms to streamline and strengthen the PTT framework. Recommendations include:
- Consolidating and simplifying existing PTT categories.
- Introducing a new category to support overseas-trained teachers with minor qualification gaps.
- Improving guidance for applicants and employers.
- Strengthening mentoring and support for PTT holders.
- Emphasising co-regulation with schools to ensure quality and safety.
These reforms are designed to make the PTT system more accessible and easier to navigate, while continuing to uphold the integrity of the profession and support schools facing workforce challenges.
A Collaborative Approach
VIT Chief Executive Officer Martin Fletcher said the recommendations reflect extensive consultation with teachers, schools, and stakeholders across the education sector.
Martin Fletcher, VIT Chief Executive Officer
“These recommendations are about ensuring our processes are fit for purpose and aligned with the needs of the education system.”
“The proposed changes will reduce regulatory burden, improve transparency, and support a diverse and capable teaching workforce.”
Victorian Principals Association President Andrew Dalgleish said that the Victorian Principals Association appreciated the opportunity to work with the VIT in the development of these reports and policies that assist schools.
Andrew Dalgleish, Victorian Principals Association President
“This collaboration is critical in ensuring there is a sharing of the impacts that these policies may have from a school facing perspective.”
“The two reports being released clearly show the will of the VIT to be adaptable in assisting schools meeting staffing requirements in their schools, along with ensuring there is still a rigour in ensuring that the qualifications and skills of all teachers remains at the highest standards possible.”
Victorian Catholic Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Professor Elizabeth Labone said that Catholic education supports efforts to increase the number of highly qualified and experienced teachers joining the teaching profession here in Victoria.
Professor Elizabeth Labone, Victorian Catholic Education Authority Chief Executive Officer
“VIT's streamlined and more accessible approach to teacher registration will be an important enabler towards building an expanded teacher workforce.”
“This will support schools to recruit high quality candidates dedicated to helping students meet their learning goals.”
Head of Schools Services at Independent Schools Victoria Christine Lucas was also supportive of the reports released by VIT.
Christine Lucas, Head of Schools Services at Independent Schools Victoria
“The Reports demonstrate that VIT have genuinely listened to the concerns raised by Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) and the current recommendations address many of the issues raised by ISV during our presentations to the Review panel and in our submissions.”
The Victorian Chair of the Islamic Schools Association of Australia, Fazeel Arain said that the Islamic Schools Association of Australia Vicotria (ISAAV) welcomed the opportunity to contribute to VIT’s review.
Fazeel Arain, The Victorian Chair of the Islamic Schools Association of Australia
“ISAAV collaborated in discussion, presented detailed case studies, and made submissions to address the challenges of schools regarding the registration of overseas teachers and the Permission to Teach (PTT) policy.”
“While fully advocating for the importance of safety and wellbeing of children and young people, community expectations, appropriately qualified teachers, and high-quality teaching, ISAAV endorses the VIT’s recommendations to ensure greater flexibility in the assessment of overseas qualified teachers and a more responsive, streamlined and less complex PTT process to address Victorian teacher workforce shortages.”
“ISAA would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the VIT for their engagement and hard work in preparing the reports and recommendations in Report 1: Assessment of overseas qualifications and Report 2: Permission to Teach.”
The VIT will now begin implementing the recommendations, including further targeted consultation to ensure the reforms are effective and sustainable.