Reform Recommendations for Sustaining and Growing our Teacher Workforce

On 18 December 2024, the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) received a Direction from the Minister for Education to undertake a review of our approach to:

• assessing applications for registration as a teacher from applicants who have completed overseas teaching qualifications and taught overseas (Report 1); and
• granting permission to teach (PTT), its PTT policy and the application of that policy (Report 2).  

The two reports were submitted to the Minister who has provided in principle support for the recommendations. A copy of the reports can be found below:

• Report 1: Assessment of overseas qualifications
• Report 2: Permission to Teach

The VIT has welcomed this opportunity to review our policies and processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, proportionate and responsive to the needs of the education system. We recognise the Victorian education system is facing challenges relating to continued teacher workforce shortages and seek to be an enabler for the teaching workforce.

Consultation now open - draft revised Permission to Teach policy

Based on stakeholder feedback and the recommendations in Report 2, we have now revised the PTT policy. 

We are inviting written submissions on the draft revised PTT policy, available in the consultation document below. 

Written submissions are due by close of business, Friday 17 April 2026.

The consultation document is open for review and feedback on the proposed changes. Your insights will help inform the final version of the PTT policy.

If you would like to discuss aspects of the draft policy or potential process implications, VIT is available to meet. Please contact strategy@vit.vic.edu.au for further information or support.

Key recommendations

The VIT engaged widely with key stakeholders to inform the development of recommendations and opportunities for improvement.  

The recommendations in Report 1 in relation to the assessment of overseas teaching qualifications support:

• greater flexibility in the assessment of overseas teaching qualifications and making more effective use of our regulatory tools and to be an enabler for the teaching profession
• maintaining national consistency and high standards of entry into the teaching profession
• greater certainty to prospective applicants by undertaking reassessment of overseas qualification before they decide to relocate to Victoria  
• clearer and more accessible communications, policies and advice to prospective applicants, prospective employers and unsuccessful applicants.

The recommendations in Report 2 in relation to PTT support:

• a more fit-for-purpose, flexible and streamlined policy position and approach  
• reduced complexity for stakeholders   
• clearer and more accessible communications and advice to PTT holders and their employers
• reduced regulatory burden on PTT applicants and their employers, where feasible   
• a greater emphasis on a co-regulatory approach with employers, that is targeted and proportionate.

Next steps / implementation

The VIT will continue to work closely with stakeholders and the teaching profession to action and implement the recommendations.  

Significant work is already underway, including:

• a set of principles for assessing overseas qualifications
• establishing a fee-for-service to pre-assess overseas qualifications
• establishing a dedicated overseas qualifications assessment team
• revising outcome letters for overseas applicants to provide clearer explanations for why their qualifications were not found equivalent to an accredited Australian ITE program, and describe next steps to meet the requirements
• drafting a Qualifications policy to improve readability and accessibility
• increasing grants of PTT to be more reflective of the school year
• engaging with the Department of Education to inform legislative amendments to enable the development of employer agreements in relation to PTT
• drafting a revised PTT policy and guidance material, now open for consultation.