A teacher has had their registration cancelled and been disqualified from applying for registration for the next five years in a recent decision of a formal hearing panel, following an investigation undertaken by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

The VIT alleged that, whilst employed as a registered teacher, NCF (pseudonym for the teacher) had been convicted of a category B offence of stalking a 12-year-old female who was a student in NCF’s Grade six class at a suburban primary school.

It was also alleged that between in or around July 2023 and in or around June 2024, the teacher engaged in a pattern of conduct as detailed above which resulted in conviction for a Category B offence, demonstrating that the teacher was not fit to teach.

The VIT alleged that NCF engaged in serious misconduct in that the teacher engaged in communication beyond the boundaries of a professional relationship with the student while they were a student and recent graduate, and/or failing to maintain objectivity in his relationship with the student, and/or failing to act as a positive role model and to respect and comply with the law.

With these allegations considered, the hearing panel upheld VIT’s recommendation to cancel NCF’s registration effective 2 April 2026 and impose a disqualification period of five years for serious misconduct.

In welcoming this decision, Martin Fletcher CEO of the VIT said:

"The safety and wellbeing of children must always come first. Teachers hold positions of significant trust, and the community rightly expects that trust to be upheld at all times. This outcome reflects the gravity of conduct that crosses professional boundaries and undermines the standards expected of registered teachers in Victoria. The Victorian Institute of Teaching will continue to take decisive regulatory action where teacher conduct places children at risk or compromises public confidence in the profession."

Background

The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) investigates concerns about a teacher’s conduct and, where appropriate, refers matters to a hearing panel for determination.

A hearing panel is constituted, operates and makes decisions in accordance with the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic). It is responsible for considering the evidence and submissions presented by the teacher and VIT, before making findings on the allegations and determining any disciplinary action in relation to a teacher's registration.

The VIT convened a formal hearing into allegations against interim suspended teacher, NCF on Monday 23 March 2026.

The full hearing panel decision can be accessed here. The name of the teacher is subject to a non-publication order to protect the safety and well-being of the victim.