Workforce Support and Initiatives for Schools

Career Development

Teachers who could do with more professional opportunities/recognition

Subsidised programs to develop STEM teachers – encourage teachers to participate in subsidised programs to develop their STEM teaching specialisms

Targeted initiatives in STEM for teacher training include:

• the Secondary Sciences, Technologies and Mathematics (SSTM) Initiative which increases the number of in-field mathematics and science teachers in Victoria, and in participating schools, by providing a fully-funded postgraduate qualification (through Deakin University) at no cost to out-of-field teachers or their schools
• the Primary Mathematics and Science Specialist Initiative (PMSS) is a 2-year program designed to drive whole school change through upskilling primary teachers in government schools to become specialists in either science or mathematics – contact: PMSS@education.vic.gov.au
• Two new postgraduate qualifications (Graduate Certificates) in Secondary Digital Technologies and Secondary Design and Technologies, with a total of 100 out- of-field teaching participants (50 for each course) – contact: technologies.graduate.certificates@education.vic.gov.au

Establish Leading Teachers and Learning Specialist roles – provide career pathways to teachers and build leadership profiles and provide greater support to classroom teachers

Leading teacher and learning specialist positions are tenured for up to 5 years with the tenure specified in the position advertisement. The successful applicant will be ongoing with tenure in the leadership position.

These promotion opportunities provide a career path for teachers and focus on building teaching practice within schools.

For more information about Leading Teacher and Learning Specialist roles refer to Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning – support engagement in professional learning programs at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership

Support teachers to build their professional skills and explore the professional learning opportunities available to provide the training and support teacher needs to lead change and improve student outcomes.

For more information refer to Professional Learning

Disability Inclusion Professional Learning opportunities for teachers – upskill in learning difficulties and inclusive and specialist education

The Master of Inclusive Education and Graduate Certificate Initiative provides access to funded postgraduate study in inclusive and specialist education or learning difficulties. It aims to build the capability and confidence of Victorian teachers and regional workforces to strengthen inclusive teaching practices for students with diverse learning needs.

Aligned with the Disability Inclusion reform, this substantial departmental investment empowers schools and regional teams to develop their expertise in inclusive education, driving a positive, system-wide impact. For more information, refer to the Master of Inclusive Education and Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) webpages.

Email: inclusive.ed.scholarships@education.vic.gov.au or call 03 9084 8496.

Flexible Work Arrangements for School Leaders –supporting flexible work for principals and school leaders in 2025, by funding up to 300 grants to support job-share and part time arrangements

Flexible Work Arrangements for School Leaders initiative supports leaders at Victorian government schools, including principals, assistant principals, learning specialists and leading teachers, to try out part- time and job-share arrangements. The funding will allow participating school leaders to have a cross-over day with their job-share partner or will support a new or increased part-time arrangement within a school’s leadership team.

This initiative aims to reduce administrative burden on school leaders by providing additional leadership support and promoting work-life balance. Funding is available for up to 12 months and any schools that wish to continue flexible work arrangements for leaders after this time will need to fund this from their existing budget and may require school council approval.

For more information refer to Flexible Work for Principals.

For any questions, please contact swg_policy.initiatives@education.vic.gov.au.

Flexible Work for Classroom Teachers – up to 300 grants are available in 2025 to support teachers in a job-share or part-time arrangement

The Flexible Work for Classroom Teachers program supports teachers in a job-share or part-time arrangement. The funding will allow eligible teachers to have a cross-over day with their job-share partner or will support a new or increased part-time arrangement. This initiative aims to reduce administrative burden on school leaders and teachers by providing additional support and promoting work-life balance.

Under this initiative, provides a grant of $20,000 to support a classroom teacher in an eligible flexible work arrangement for up to 12 months. Schools that wish to continue flexible work arrangements for classroom teachers after this time will need to fund this from their existing budget.

For more information refer to Flexible Work and Flexible Work for Classroom Teachers funding.

For any questions, please contact swg_policy.initiatives@education.vic.gov.au.