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The number of teachers in Victoria is increasing and that ’ s no accident - we ’ re delivering a range of initiatives that have helped grow the number of registered teachers .
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews . Picture : NCA / Newswire
‘ Teachers change lives ’
Victorian government makes studying teaching free
By Erin Morley
The Victorian government announced on September 12 it will make studying to become a secondary school teacher free in Victoria in 2024 and 2025 , hoping to quickly inject teachers into the workforce and at the same time support students through the cost-of-living crisis .
The $ 93.2 million program aims to fund 8,000 students over the two years , supplying $ 18,000 for a four-year undergraduate program or $ 9,000 for two years of postgraduate study , on the condition that applicants work in a government school for two years after they graduate .
The scholarships are part of a wider $ 229.8 million package designed to grow the teaching industry overall , which Premier Daniel Andrews hopes will lessen the burden on overstretched teachers .
“ Teachers change lives - it ’ s as simple as that . This will mean one less barrier for Victorians thinking of a career in teaching , and more great teachers for the education state ,” the Premier said .
In 2025 , a $ 13.9 million employment based degree trial will begin , which will allow teaching students to work paid internships in schools while studying . It is also hoped that this will act as a pathway for education support staff to gain teaching qualifications .
Professor in higher education studies at the Australian National University ( ANU ), Andrew Norton , told Campus Review that although this program may deliver some of the results the government hopes to see , he doesn ’ t think it will entice more undergraduates to study teaching .
“ I don ’ t think it will attract people who weren ’ t already seriously considering doing a teaching course , but it will help [ students ] complete their course , because some drop out due to financial reasons ,” he said .
“ It will also make public sector employers more attractive compared to private school [ employers ]".
Other initiatives taken by the Victorian government seem to be effective . Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins said this is why the teacher workforce in Victoria is growing , along with other investments made in the $ 204.8 million ‘ workforce initiatives ’ fund in the 2023 / 24 Victorian budget .
“ The number of teachers in Victoria is increasing and that ’ s no accident - we ’ re delivering a range of initiatives that have helped grow the number of registered teachers in Victoria by nearly 5,000 between 2020 and 2022 ,” the Minister said .
La Trobe University offers undergraduate and postgraduate secondary teaching courses on their Bundoora , Bendigo , Albury-Wodonga , Shepparton and Mildura campuses .
La Trobe ’ s dean of education , Professor Joanna Barbousas , said this scholarship will provide a much-needed boost for the sector .
“ The Victorian government ’ s announcement today is warmly welcomed , this financial assistance will help incentivise more students to consider secondary school teaching , which in turn will help boost the secondary school teacher workforce ,” Ms Barbousas said .
The government also has plans to expand the $ 27 million Targeted Financial Incentives Program , which offers up to $ 50,000 incentives to graduates willing to take up rural and remote ‘ hard-to-staff ’ positions in government schools . ■
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