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.
Further information is available in the chapter titled Attraction initiatives.
Recruitment
The department’s recruitment initiatives seek to reduce administrative burden, 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.
Further information is available in the chapter titled Recruitment initiatives.
Supporting early-career teachers
The department is delivering a range of supports to help teachers get the best possible start to their careers, continue to grow and enable 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.
Further information is available in the chapter titled Support initiatives.
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 the profession.
These initiatives provide supports to:
- paid placements for returning teachers under the Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative.
Further information is available in the chapter titled Retention initiatives.
Career development
The department provides teachers, education support class employees and principals 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:
- develop opportunities and recognition to the workforce
- professional growth in inclusive education, driving a positive, system-wide change
- succession planning and professional development of school leaders implementing flexible work arrangements.
Further information is available in the chapter titled Career development.
Reviewed 21 July 2026