Professional development for returning teachers
Teachers not currently working in schools and seeking professional development options to support their return can register their interest here.
After registering, a member of the Teacher Re-engagement team will contact you to discuss your return and support needs, as well as discussing which professional development options are right for you.
There is a wide range of free professional development options available, including but not limited to:
- 1-on-1 employability coaching on resume writing, addressing key selection criteria, and interview skills;
- Mental health and wellbeing tools;
- Teaching writing, including narrative, persuasive, and informative writing courses;
- Effective teaching strategies, including High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS);
- Classroom behaviour management;
- Use of technology and internet in the classroom; and
- Curriculum planning and assessment.
Placements to support returning teachers
Teachers looking to further rebuild their capabilities and confidence before returning can participate in school placements that include classroom observations.
The Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative (TREI) offers returning teachers funded placements of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools. Participating teachers can re-familiarise themselves with the school environment, take part in classroom observations and other teaching activities, and receive mentoring from current teachers.
TREI is available for:
- Teachers returning from retirement or a career break of greater than 1 year. Teachers in this cohort will:
- receive an honorarium amount up to a maximum of $12,000 for a 40-day placement, to be paid fortnightly in lump sum amounts.
- be supported and supervised by a current teacher throughout the placement.
- Teachers returning from extended parental absence of greater than 2 years. Teachers in this cohort will:
- have access to a temporary resumption of up to 40 days and will receive their substantive salary.
- be able to resume their regular teaching duties during the placement, once they feel ready to do so.
Principals and returning teachers will determine the teachers’ activities while on placement, which will consider the best way to support their return to the school workforce.
Eligible placements will need to be completed by 30 June 2025.
How to apply
Returning teachers:
If you are interested in returning and would like some assistance being matched with a school, please complete this teacher form.
Alternatively, you can contact schools directly to discuss a placement. You can then complete a joint application with the principal.
Principals:
Principals are encouraged to use their networks to identify teachers interested in returning, and to submit a joint application for TREI. Alternatively, principals can request to be matched with teachers who have expressed an interest in returning.
If you have identified a teacher who would like to return, please complete this joint form.
If you require support being matched with a returning teacher, please complete this schools form.
Are you ready for employment?
Teachers who hold a valid registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and feel classroom ready could consider joining the Job Opportunities Pool (JOP). As a streamlined recruitment process, it takes just 5 minutes to set up a profile that will automatically match you to teaching vacancies based on your preferences.
For more information, visit the Teacher Recruitment Initiative webpage.
If you have any questions relating to teacher registration, please contact the VIT directly: https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/
Contact for more information
Email the Teacher Re-engagement team at returningteachers@education.vic.gov.au
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