Experienced returning registration supports teachers returning to the profession after a break from teaching who previously held full registration in Australia or New Zealand.
This registration category recognises your previous teaching experience and supports you to understand your professional responsibilities, regulatory requirements and the current teaching landscape in Victoria before returning to full registration.
Eligibility
Experienced returning registration is not for everyone. Keep reading to work out if you’re eligible and ready to return to full registration.
Before you apply, you need to know
- you can only apply for this registration pathway once
- this pathway doesn’t include an Inquiry process or workplace recommendation panel
- you must be actively teaching under this registration category.
Registration requirements
You may be eligible for experienced returning registration if you meet the current registration requirements and previously held full registration in Australia or New Zealand within the
- last 5 years and are not eligible for immediate full registration because you haven’t completed 80 days of teaching
- past 5 to 10 years and wish to return to teaching
- past 10 to 15 years, have maintained teaching-related experience during that time and wish to return to teaching.
If you’re applying under the 10-to-15-year pathway, you’ll need to provide evidence of your teaching-related experience.
Types of experienced returning registration
There are two types of experienced returning registration
- Experienced returning registered teachers can teach in any Victorian primary school, secondary school or specialist education provider.
- Experienced returning registered early childhood teachers (ECTs) can teach in Victorian early childhood settings, such as childcare centres, preschools and kindergartens.
Experienced returning registered teachers (ERRTs) can work full-time, part-time or as a casual relief teacher (CRT). Visit the Casual relief teachers page to learn more about working as a CRT and the support available.
Teachers can only work within the settings covered by their registration type unless they hold dual registration. For example, an experienced returning registered early childhood teacher cannot undertake the duties of a teacher in a school.
Visit the FAQs page to learn more.
Eligible teachers can apply through their MyVIT account.
For more information about applying for registration, visit the How to register page.
You can also learn about typical processing timeframes on the How long does it take to register page.
Check out the Registration Evidence Checklist for guidance on supporting documents.
Your initial registration fee is paid pro rata and covers your registration from the start date of your provisional registration until the next annual registration deadline on 30 September.
The expiry date shown on your digital registration card reflects the annual registration deadline, not the end date of your provisional registration grant.
You must complete your annual registration tasks and pay the annual fee by 30 September each year. Once completed, your digital registration card will automatically update.
Visit the Registration fees page to learn more.
Need help?
If you have questions about experienced returning registration or need support with the Return to Full Registration Pathway, contact VIT at rtf@vit.vic.edu.au.
Last updated: 08 Sep 2026