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Department overview

What we do and who we work with.

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What we do

The department is responsible for early childhood and school education in Victoria through the provision of 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 early learning.

Early childhood (birth to 8 years)

Early childhood education and care services, with a focus on kindergarten programs.

  • More than 147,000 children funded to attend kindergarten programs
    • over 69,000 children attend a Three-Year-Old Kindergarten program
    • over 78,000 children attend a Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program
  • More than 5,000 regulated education and care services of all types
  • Approximately 3,000 funded kindergarten services

School education (5 to 18 years)

Primary education, Secondary education, Special education and Language.

  • More than 1,063,000 students
    • approximately 666,000 students in government schools
    • approximately 219,000 students in Catholic schools
    • approximately 178,000 students in independent schools
  • 1,575 government schools
  • 725 non-government schools
A visual representation of the department’s Early childhood and School education statistics, as shown under the ‘What we do’ heading.

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:

  • Disciplinary Appeals Boards
  • Independent Office for School Dispute Resolution
  • Merit Protection Boards
  • Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
  • Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • Victorian Institute of Teaching
  • Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority

Key stakeholder groups include:

  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and First Nations communities
  • Advocacy and special interest groups
  • Early childhood and school education experts
  • Early childhood and school education peak bodies
  • Government department and agencies
  • Industry associations and unions
  • Parents and students

Updated

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