Victoria’s teaching authority is planning major changes to tackle classroom shortages—making it easier for qualified overseas teachers to work in the state while also planning to cut a loophole that lets underqualified teachers from Western Australia (WA) into classrooms.
According to a report by The Age, figures from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) show applications from overseas teachers have jumped more than 500 per cent in three years—from 226 in 2021 to almost 1400 last year. Only 3 per cent of applicants were rejected.
Two reports prepared for Education Minister Ben Carroll, and seen by The Age, propose a $285 pre-assessment service for overseas candidates before they travel, as well as country-specific guides to help them through the process. The rise has been linked to the reopening of borders after COVID-19 and strong recruitment drives by schools facing staff shortages.
At the same time, the state government has tightened its rules to stop WA teachers with only a one-year diploma from working in Victorian public schools. WA lowered its training standards in recent years, allowing people with shorter qualifications to register, but Victoria’s minimum remains four years.
VIT says it also wants to recognise teaching experience as well as formal qualifications, citing cases such as an Irish teacher rejected for having a three-year degree. Teachers from New Zealand are already exempt from the four-year rule, The Age report says.
The institute is also reviewing its “permission to teach” scheme, which allows unregistered staff to be employed if no qualified teacher is available. A review found the exemption was outdated and should be simplified. Currently, more than 10 per cent of staff in 13 schools—including several Islamic and bilingual schools—work under this rule.
Quoting VIT chief executive Martin Fletcher, The Age report said the proposed changes were designed to support a strong workforce without lowering standards. “The proposed changes will reduce red tape, improve transparency, and support a diverse and capable teaching workforce,” he said.
The report stressed that Victoria must remain attractive to skilled overseas teachers while guarding against lowering standards. “Allowing underqualified teachers into classrooms adds an extra burden to those already under strain,” it warned.
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