Workforce Support and Initiatives for Schools

Recruitment

The department’s recruitment initiatives seek to reduce administrative burdens, facilitate recruitment efficiencies, and support schools to recruit new teachers.

What support is available to recruit more teachers and who can help me?

Teacher Recruitment Initiative – access streamlined recruitment processes for schools and applicants through the Teacher Recruitment Initiative (Job Opportunities Pool)

The Teacher Recruitment Initiative (TRI) simplifies recruitment for schools and applicants, easing challenges by streamlining the process. It centralizes applicants in a Job Opportunities Pool, ensuring easier access for teachers seeking roles in Victorian government schools, minimizing individual role advertisements and enabling quicker interviews for local vacancies.

The TRI is designed to assist school recruiters and teachers by streamlining the recruitment process. There are 2 ways to apply for classroom teaching jobs in Victoria, by:

• submitting your interest in the Job Opportunities Pool under this initiative
• searching and applying for available vacancies.

While both systems use Recruitment Online (ROL), classroom teachers and graduate teachers using the TRI will benefit by being auto-matched to their preferences and no longer being required to provide a written response to Key Selection Criteria (KSC).

All vacancies must be filled in accordance with the department’s selection procedures (merit based) as set out in the Recruitment in Schools policy and comply with Ministerial Order 1388– Teaching Service (employment conditions, salaries, allowances, selection and conduct) Order 2022.

How does the TRI work?

• Applicants register their interest once (attaching a cover letter and a resume) for all classroom and graduate teacher positions in the Job Opportunities Pool, saving the time needed to manage multiple applications.
• The Job Opportunities Pool will match applicants’ work preferences, location, role and subject preferences with teacher vacancies.
• Applicants will receive an email notification when linked to matched vacancies and will be able to withdraw as required.
• School recruiters can search, shortlist, interview, and recruit candidates without having to advertise locally.
• School recruiters will be able to review applicants automatically matched against their vacancies (no searching required, however, there still is an option for school recruiters to manually search and link applicants to vacancies).
• School recruiters can access applications at any time after the initial match and short list after the minimum matching period of 3 days.

The benefits of the TRI for school recruiters

• Applicants will be matched automatically and will be linked to the school’s vacancy.
• Functionality to manually search for candidates from the Job Opportunities Pool, to link applicants, shortlist, interview and appoint.
• No requirement to post vacancies for a minimum 14-day period. Vacancies are to be open for a minimum of 3 days, allowing time to inform internal staff of the job opportunity available at the school.
• Recruiters can use both methods of recruitment ensuring they are undertaken, one after the other. Requirements for KSC apply at different times and in different ways in the recruitment cycle (TRI utilises KSC during the interview whereas a written submission is required for advertised vacancies). This allows a level playing field for applicants.

The benefits of the TRI for applicants

• A simpler and more efficient way to submit their interest for multiple vacancies in preferred localities.
• Applicants submit their interest once in the Job Opportunities Pool (attaching a cover letter and a resume), saving the time needed to manage multiple applications.
• There is no requirement for written responses to KSC. The KSC will be used to determine suitability as part of the interview stage.
• Option to deselect schools as required.
• Receipt of email notifications when vacancies match against preferences.
• Applicants can track their applications and withdraw when matched to an unsuitable vacancy.

For policy advice relating to the TRI, please refer to the Advertising vacancies section of the Recruitment in Schools policy.

For recruiter TRI user guides and fact sheets, please refer to the Recruitment Online help for recruiters (staff login required).

For applicant TRI user guides and fact sheets, please refer to the Applicant Help – Recruitment Online (staff login required).

International Teacher Recruitment Supports reducing administrative and financial burdens and helping schools recruit international teachers

Schools can access support for the recruitment of international teachers, including access to free advice and support through the Migration Support Service.

The Migration Support Service provides government schools with access to free specialist migration advice on international teacher recruitment, migration, sponsorship, and visa arrangements.

Where schools are seeking to employ and sponsor a visa holder in a teaching position, these supports reduce the cost and administrative burden on schools, and ensures they have the most up to date migration advice and information regarding international recruitment.

The department is providing additional recruitment support to schools experiencing significant staffing challenges.

Additional information, guidance and resources are available to schools in the Employment and Sponsorship of Overseas Workers PAL page.

Further information

• Refer to the Employment and Sponsorship of Overseas Workers policy
• Refer to the Migration support for international recruitment – information for schools
• Contact: swg_policy.initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative – supporting returning teachers through funded placements of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools

The Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative (TREI) supports returning teachers through placements of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools to:

• build returning teachers’ confidence and readiness to return to the school workforce
• support schools with a range of needs including mentoring of provisionally registered teachers, student learning where appropriate
• alleviate the pressure of the current workforce and serve as a recruitment opportunity for schools and returning teachers where there are suitable vacant positions.

The TREI aims to support the return of the following teachers:

• teachers on a career break with no ongoing connection to a school, including teachers with provisional, full and non-practicing VIT registration
• newly retired teachers – registered teachers retired within the past 1 to 3 years who schools wish to engage because of their experience and skill.

TREI is designed to reengage teachers who have been out of the teaching workforce for greater than one year.

Teachers on extended parental absence

Teachers that have been on extended parental absence for greater than 2 years are able to access up to 40 days temporary resumption to support their transition back to work at their base school.

Further information

For further information about the TREI:

• refer to Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative
• contact: returningteachers@education.vic.gov.au

Central Workforce Support Service – providing personalised assistance and support to schools

Central Workforce Support Services (CWSS) supports schools facing teacher recruitment challenges by collaborating closely with principals, offering personalized assistance and services which range from candidate sourcing and onboarding to implementing workforce initiatives aimed at attracting teachers.

The services provided by CWSS include:

personalised recruitment and retention advice – CWSS offers personalised and strategic advice to cater to the unique requirements of each school. This advice is designed to help schools attract and retain qualified teachers effectively

comprehensive support in recruitment activities – CWSS collaborates closely with schools to provide comprehensive support in recruitment activities. This support encompasses various aspects of the recruitment process, making it easier for schools to find suitable candidates

proactive candidate sourcing – the CWSS team actively sources candidates to fill both long-term and casual relief teacher (CRT) roles as needed by schools. This proactive approach ensures that schools have access to a pool of potential candidates to choose from

access to department recruitment initiatives – CWSS assists schools in accessing a diverse array of department recruitment initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing teacher attraction, recruitment, and retention, making the hiring process more efficient and effective.

Further information

For more information contact the Schools Workforce Group on:

• phone: 03 7022 5555
• email: swg_policy.initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

How can I attract more teachers to my school?

Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative – offers incentives of $5,650 (pre-tax) for eligible graduate teachers taking up a graduate position throughout 2023 and 2024

The Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative (GTRI) offers incentives of $5,650 (pre-tax) for eligible graduate teachers taking up a graduate position throughout 2023 and 2024.

This initiative provides schools with strategic recruitment advice and actively supports the promotion and recruitment of Teacher Graduate Recruitment program vacancies.

The GTRI has established partnerships with various education providers to support the transition of pre-service teaching students and graduates into the teaching workforce. To attract aspiring graduate teachers and promote department graduate employment opportunities, GTRI also conducts engaging online and in-person presentations that inform graduates of available job opportunities, the benefits of employment in a Victorian government school, and guides them through the application process.

To be eligible for employment under this initiative, candidates must:

• be a teaching graduate who has completed all course requirements and graduated within the past 4 years
• not be employed as a teacher by the department at the time the advertised position is to start
• commit to a minimum one-year employment at a Victorian government school to retain the incentive
• be currently registered (or eligible for registration) with the Victorian Institute of Teaching
• not be a Graduate Teacher Incentive recipient from a previous vacancy.

Schools can advertise between 2.0 and 8.0 FTE graduate positions per year, based on their school type and SRP:

• up to 2.0 FTE in primary, P–12, and specialist schools
• an additional 2.0 FTE for primary, P–12 or specialist schools with SRP over $2 million, and secondary schools with SRP over $5 million
• an additional 4.0 FTE for SRP over $8 million.

Schools who are yet to fill their designated Teacher Graduate Recruitment vacancies can advertise their vacancies with the provision of the $5,650 financial incentive to help attract graduate teacher applicants.

The Graduate Teacher Recruitment initiative process guide can be found on the Resources tab.

Further information

• For more information, refer to the Teacher Graduate Recruitment program requirements under the Advertising vacancies section of the Recruitment in Schools policy.
• For more information on recruiting a graduate teacher through this initiative, visit Commence your teaching career at a Victorian government school.
• Contact: swg_policy.initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

Returning Teacher Support Service – providing individualised support to assist non-practicing teachers to return to the workforce

The Returning Teachers Support Service (RTSS) supports teachers to return to the workforce. Teachers not currently working in schools, who are interested in a return to the classroom in a full time, part time or casual capacity, can register for this service. RTSS offers non-practicing teachers access to individualised support to assist them transition successfully back into the teacher workforce, whether they have retired, been on extended leave or changed professions and wish to return.

The supports offered to returning teachers include an initial consult with RTSS staff to determine support needed and development of an individual support plan which can entail:

• free and accessible professional development in coaching
• access to online peer networks
• links to relevant department and teaching resources
• support in creating an ROL account and job applications
• matching returning teachers to current school vacancies
• regular contact with each returning teacher throughout the process, up until the returning teacher has successfully re-entered the teacher workforce.

A dedicated RTSS team has been established to customise and coordinate these supports and are available 5 days a week to support teachers in returning to the workforce.

Further information

• Refer to Returning Teachers Support Service
• Contact: returningteachers@education.vic.gov.au

Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative – supporting returning teachers through funded placements of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools

The Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative (TREI) supports returning teachers through placements of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools to:

• build returning teachers’ confidence and readiness to return to the school workforce
• support schools with a range of needs including mentoring of provisionally registered teachers, student learning where appropriate
• alleviate the pressure of the current workforce and serve as a recruitment opportunity for schools and returning teachers where there are suitable vacant positions.

The TREI aims to support the return of the following teachers:

• teachers on a career break with no ongoing connection to a school, including teachers with provisional, full and non-practicing VIT registration
• newly retired teachers – registered teachers retired within the past one to 3 years who schools wish to engage because of their experience and skill.

TREI is designed to reengage teachers who have been out of the teaching workforce for greater than one year.

Teachers on extended parental absence

Teachers that have been on extended parental absence for greater than 2 years are able to access up to 40 days temporary resumption to support their transition back to work at their base school.

Further information

For further information about the TREI:

• refer to Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative
• contact: returningteachers@education.vic.gov.au

CRT Travel Fund – supporting 100 rural and regional schools to attract more CRTs through funded special payments

The CRT Travel Fund supports rural and regional schools with casual relief teacher supply. The CRT Travel Fund is available to identified regional and rural schools having trouble attracting CRTs in 2023 and 2024.

Eligible schools can use this funding to attract CRTs to their school for extended periods, through making a special payment. Special payments may range between $925 and $10,000 per annum (in one or more lump sum payments).

Further information

For further information:

• refer to: CRT Travel Fund
• contact: swg_policy.initiatives@education.vic.gov.au

Use special payments to help attract and retain teachers – provide payments of up to $10,000 to help attract or retain teachers for your school

Schools can offer special payments of up to $10,000 to help attract or retain teachers for their schools. These payments can be paid as a lump sum or on a fortnightly basis.

Special payments may range between $925 and $10,000 per annum (in one or more lump sum payments).

Further information

For more information on using special payments, refer to Special Payments.