Education for those who wish to become teachers

Individuals wishing to undertake the duties of a teacher in Victoria are required to have attained relevant qualifications to become registered. 

Those who wish to teach in a school setting must hold an approved initial teacher education (ITE) qualification or equivalent.

Those who wish to teach in an early childhood setting must hold an early childhood education qualification approved or recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). 

ITE programs, early childhood education programs and combined programs are offered by higher education providers across the country. All ITE programs offered in Victoria are accredited by VIT.

Initial teacher education (ITE) programs

The VIT is responsible for the accreditation of ITE programs in Victoria. Successfully completing one of these programs will enable graduates to apply for teacher registration with VIT.

ITE programs are offered by the following providers in Victoria

A list of all accredited ITE programs delivered throughout Australia can be found on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) website.

The VIT has been supporting continued innovation in ITE in Victoria and has accredited a number of Internship ITE programs. Internship programs enable pre-service teachers to ‘earn while they learn’ by working at a school whilst completing their studies. Many of these programs can be completed in an accelerated mode. View a summary of the current internship ITE programs structure.

View the current list of VIT accredited ITE programs

Approved Pathway Programs into initial teacher education programs

Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, the VIT is responsible for approving Pathway Programs into initial teacher education (ITE) programs. 

To obtain VIT approval, the Pathway Program must first meet a broad range of criteria and standards to support prospective teachers who have yet to demonstrate the academic and non-academic attributes for direct entry into ITE. These standards are designed to support quality candidates from diverse backgrounds, with a strong disposition to teach, to successfully pathway into an ITE program. 

Undertaking a VIT-approved Pathway Program will ensure the selection requirements for students entering an ITE program are aligned with the intent of the Victorian Selection Framework and the entry requirements outlined in the national ITE accreditation standards.

VIT-approved Pathway Programs support students to demonstrate the required academic skills and personal attributes to successfully enter an ITE program, as well as maintain success throughout the program.

Higher education providers or registered training organisations (RTO) who identify and market their program as an entry pathway into ITE must be VIT-approved. 

Pathway Programs that have been approved by VIT will bear the VIT-approved Pathway Program logo, verifying that the Pathway Program has undergone a rigorous approval process and met the required standards. Approved Pathway Programs into ITE are listed below.