What we do
As of January 2023, the department has a consolidated focus on achieving education outcomes for children and young people across Victoria. The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
Early childhood (birth to 8)
- Early childhood education and care services, with a focus on kindergarten programs
- More than 400,000 children and families
- 140,000 children in kindergarten programs
- More than 4,900 approved education and care services of all types
- 2,900 funded kindergarten services
School education (5 to 18)
- Primary education
- Secondary education
- Special education
- Language
- More than 1,032,000 students
- approximately 654,000 students in government schools
- approximately 213,000 students in Catholic schools
- approximately 165,000 students in independent schools
- 1,566 government schools
- 724 non-government schools
Who we work with
The department and its portfolio entities work collaboratively with a diverse range of public, private and not-for-profit providers serving Victorian children and young people.
Education portfolio partners and authorities include:
- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
- Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
- Victorian Institute of Teaching
- Merit Protection Boards & Disciplinary Appeals Boards
Key stakeholder groups include:
- Early childhood and school education peak bodies
- Industry associations and unions
- Advocacy and special interest groups
- Government departments and agencies
- Early childhood and school education experts
- Parents and students
Updated