Resources · For teachers
Graduate teacher jobs in Victoria’s government schools are advertised as “Graduate teacher program” roles, and eligible graduates who finished their degree in the last four years can get an incentive of up to $5,650. Roles for 2027 are already being advertised. You start on provisional VIT registration and have two years to move to full registration.
The graduate teacher program in Victoria
The Department of Education labels graduate roles “Graduate teacher program” in its recruitment system, and you can filter the Careers site by the “Graduate Teacher” category. Graduate roles are Range 1 classroom teacher positions, where the Department expects the focus to be on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice, with structured support from more experienced teachers.
To apply for a graduate role and receive the graduate incentive, you must:
- have graduated in the last four years and completed your course requirements
- not already be employed as a teacher by the Department when the job starts
- be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), or eligible to register. You can apply before you are registered, but you must be registered before you start.
Graduates can also apply for any other government school vacancy, including ordinary classroom teacher roles.
Graduate teacher jobs in Melbourne for 2027
Schools are already advertising for 2027. On 20 October 2026 the Careers site listed graduate roles such as a 2027 graduate teacher (ongoing) position in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, advertised as Range 1 Classroom Teacher, Graduate Teacher Program. There are two ways in:
- Apply for advertised roles. Search School Jobs Vic for graduate roles and apply to each, with the selection criteria responses, cover letter or video the ad asks for. See how to write key selection criteria.
- Join the Applicant Pool. Create a profile, upload a CV and set your preferences for location, time fraction and role type, choosing graduate teacher roles. Graduates are matched to vacancies through the pool and emailed when matched, with no need to write selection criteria responses for each job.
Doing both is sensible. Our guide to the Department’s recruitment system walks through it, and our teacher resume guide covers the CV.
Incentives for graduate teachers
| Program | What you get | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative | Up to $5,650 (pre-tax), pro rata for part-time roles | Eligible graduate in a graduate position; commit to at least one year; paid once you start at the school |
| Career Start (first-year graduates) | Reduced face-to-face teaching, time with a dedicated mentor, a local learning alliance of graduates, termly professional learning workshops | Where Career Start is not available, location-specific induction is offered instead |
| Targeted Financial Incentive (rural) | Up to $50,000 upfront, plus $10,000 retention payments after years 2, 3 and 4 | 50 roles in rural government schools for 2026–27, starting Term 4 2026 or Term 1 2027; minimum two-year commitment. Check the ad for graduate eligibility. |
| Regional Retention Incentive | Three $10,000 retention payments after years 2, 3 and 4, plus up to $5,000 relocation costs | Fully qualified, VIT-registered teacher relocating for a regional role; merit-based selection |
Incentive amounts are before tax. The Department’s Teach the Future site also lists paid employment-based teaching degrees and scholarships, but those are for people still training. For pay rates, see teacher pay in Victoria: a new agreement was approved by employees in September 2026 and is awaiting Fair Work Commission approval.
Provisional registration: from graduate to full registration
New graduates are registered with VIT as provisionally registered teachers (PRTs). Provisional registration lasts two years. In that time you must:
- teach for at least 80 days in Australian or New Zealand schools or early childhood services
- show you meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Proficient level, moving up from the Graduate level
- show you can apply your knowledge while holding full professional responsibility for student learning.
How the VIT process works
- Complete VIT’s Inquiry process with a mentor. Based on a teacher inquiry cycle, you choose a class or group, assess their learning needs, develop an inquiry question, do related professional learning, put an action plan in place, assess its impact and reflect.
- Start your application through the “Apply for full registration” tile in MyVIT, no more than 30 days before your panel meeting.
- Present your evidence to a recommendation panel of experienced teachers at your workplace. Evidence comes from everyday teaching, annotated against the standards.
- The panel chair submits a recommendation to VIT. Once VIT approves it, you are emailed and issued a new digital registration card. Keep your evidence for at least two years in case of audit.
If you cannot move to full registration within two years, for example because you have not yet taught 80 days, you can apply for a further grant of provisional registration. Provisional registration also has an annual fee, due by 30 September each year.
If your first role is a fixed-term contract, note that a fixed-term teacher with provisional or full registration can become eligible for ongoing employment; see CRT, fixed-term or ongoing.
Making your graduate application stand out
- Lead with placements. Year levels, subjects and one result from each.
- Be flexible on location. Our current roles include growth suburbs such as Tarneit, Mickleham and Clyde North and regional towns such as Stawell, and some regional roles carry the incentives above (check eligibility in the ad). Our area guide for teachers compares rents.
- Know the Victorian frameworks. Panels may ask about the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model and the Child Safe Standards. See our teacher interview questions guide.
- Look beyond government schools. Catholic and independent schools hire graduates too, through their own processes.
Common questions
How do I get a graduate teaching job in Victoria?
Apply for roles labelled “Graduate teacher program” on the Department’s Careers site, and join the Applicant Pool so schools can match you to vacancies. You must have graduated in the last four years and be registered, or eligible to register, with VIT.
How much is the graduate teacher incentive in Victoria?
Up to $5,650 before tax under the Graduate Teacher Recruitment Initiative, pro rata for part-time roles. It is paid once you start, and you commit to at least one year.
How long does provisional registration last?
Two years. In that time you need at least 80 days of teaching in Australia or New Zealand and must show you meet the teacher standards at the Proficient level through VIT’s Inquiry process. If you need longer, you can apply for a further grant.
When do graduate teacher jobs for 2027 open?
They are open now: 2027 graduate roles were on the Department’s Careers site in October 2026. Set up a job alert and join the Applicant Pool so you do not miss new ones.
Can I apply before my VIT registration comes through?
Yes, as long as you are eligible for registration, but you must be registered before you start. To receive the graduate incentive you must also have completed your course requirements.
Do I get a mentor as a graduate teacher?
In a government school, first-year graduates can get a dedicated mentor and reduced face-to-face teaching through Career Start. You also need a mentor for VIT’s Inquiry process to move to full registration.
Start your teaching career with us
TeachVic places teachers in contract and permanent roles in government, Catholic and independent schools across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including Tarneit, Mickleham, Clyde North and Stawell. Teachers pay nothing. Browse current teaching jobs or ask us to contact you.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against the Department of Education’s supports for graduate teachers, Get a teaching job, School Jobs Vic, relocation incentives, Teach the Future, Career structure: teaching service and Recruitment in schools; a current 2027 graduate teacher ad; and VIT’s provisional registration and moving to full registration pages.