Overview
The department is delivering several workforce initiatives to support schools. This page provides information about the types of initiatives currently being delivered to support schools to attract, recruit and support teachers.
Attraction
The department’s attraction initiatives provide new pathways and supports to become a classroom teacher and consider employment in regional and rural locations.
These initiatives provide supports for:
- aspiring teachers undertaking studies with Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers
- Pre-service Teacher Placements in schools
- supporting future Koorie teachers
- attracting new teachers to rural and regional schools.
Refer to the chapter on Attraction initiatives for more information.
Recruitment
The department’s recruitment initiatives seek to reduce administrative burdens, facilitate recruitment efficiencies, and support schools to recruit new teachers.
These initiatives provide supports to:
- streamline and support school recruitment processes
- build the supply of graduate teacher recruitment
- International teacher recruitment.
Refer to the chapter on Recruitment initiatives for more information.
Supporting early-career teachers
The department is delivering a range of supports to provide teachers with the best start to their career, and to support them to grow and to help school leaders find the balance they need to excel.
These initiatives provide supports to:
- new teachers in the early years of their career
- enhance the mentoring skills of existing teachers
- develop and grow STEM teaching skills of teachers
- facilitate professional growth and support for the existing workforce.
Refer to the chapter on Support initiatives for more information.
Retention
The department’s retention initiatives aim to retain teachers and school leaders in Victorian government schools. These initiatives also assist registered teachers, not currently teaching, to return to and remain in the profession.
These initiatives provide supports to:
- reduction in maximum face-to-face teaching time
- access free professional development through the Returning Teacher Support Service
Refer to the chapter on Retention initiatives for more information.
Career development
The department provides teachers, principals and school support staff with career pathways, scholarship opportunities, flexible working arrangements and opportunities to grow and develop throughout their career. Access to part time and flexible working arrangements is important in facilitating those opportunities.
These initiatives provide supports to:
- development opportunities and recognition to the workforce
- professional growth in inclusive education, driving a positive, system-wide change
- flexible work for school leaders
- flexible work for classroom teachers.
Refer to the chapter on Career development initiatives for more information.
Reviewed 31 March 2025