Overview
Today, all Victorian teachers must register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Registration shows they are:
- qualified
- of good character, and
- part of a recognised profession in Australia.
In the past, things were different. For much of Victoria’s history, there was no official registration system and few rules about who could teach.
Before registration – classification of teachers
1856 saw the introduction of a classification system for teachers. It lasted, with many changes, until 1981.
The Committees of Classifiers grouped teachers, based on their education and experience. Your grouping, or class, decided which teaching roles you could have.
A classified roll, managed by the Committees of Classifiers, listed the teachers. The roll was published in the Education Gazette.
In the 1850s and 1860s, most teachers had only a primary school education. Many people thought the government should only provide basic schooling for working-class children. Most teachers were pupil teachers who learned by teaching while they trained on the job.
Teacher training was not always valued. The government even closed the Teachers College due to financial and other pressures. This happened 3 times, from:
- 1859 to 1870
- 1893 to 1900
- 1931 to 1945.
In the 1950s, the pupil teacher system ended. From 1967, students training to be primary teachers needed a Year 12 qualification.
Official teacher registration began in 1973. But the classification system remained until 1981.
Teacher registration
Teacher registration boards 1973–1993
In 1973, formal teacher registration began through 3 boards:
- Primary Teachers Registration Board
- Secondary Teachers (High Schools) Registration Board
- Technical Teachers Registration Board.
A Teachers Registration Council coordinated the 3 boards and handled appeals.
These boards:
- assessed applications for registration
- decided if interstate or overseas qualifications were equal to Victorian ones
- could deregister a teacher
- kept official registers of teachers.
In 1987, the 3 boards merged into the Teacher Registration Board. In 1990, the secondary and technical component merged to form one secondary division.
In 1993, the Standards Council of the Teaching Profession replaced the Teacher Registration Board.
Standards Council of the Teaching Profession 1993–2001
The council advised the government on:
- minimum qualifications for teachers
- criteria for hiring, promotion, and probation
- teacher training and professional development
- evaluation of teacher education courses.
The standards council did not register teachers. The Department of Education’s 1993–94 annual report said the government wished to operate in a deregulated environment.
During this time, the Registered Schools Board still registered teachers in non-government schools.
The Standards Council of the Teaching Profession only lasted until 2001. It was then replaced by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) 2002–present
In 2000, a government group suggested a new body should manage teacher registration.
The new body would bring all teacher registration under one system. The Victorian Institute of Teaching was set up in 2002 as an independent authority to do this.
Its main functions are to:
- recognise and regulate the teaching profession
- approve teacher education courses
- set standards and qualifications for registration
- register and issue certificates to teachers
- maintain a public register of teachers
- promote a professional code of conduct
- investigate conduct and competence
- support teachers’ ongoing learning and development
- advise the Minister on issues affecting teachers.
Information on current requirements for teacher qualifications and registration for employement in Victorian government schools can be found at Recruitment in Schools: Qualifications | VIC.GOV.AU | Policy and Advisory Library
Teacher registration records
Committees of Classifiers (1856–1981)
The committees published classified rolls in the Education Gazette.
Hard copies are at the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) in VPRS 15609/P4.
The University of Melbourne Library also has digitised versions.
Teacher registration boards (1973–1993)
Registration cards recorded teacher registration details. Each card contained a teacher’s:
- name and date of birth
- tertiary qualifications
- registration date
- department record number or resignation date, if applicable.
The Public Record Office Victoria stores these cards, but they are not open to the public.
To access these records, you must submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
If you are a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse, please see Victim-survivor support for former students.
Standards Council of the Teaching Profession (1993–2001)
The Council did not register teachers. No registration information exists for this time. But summary information on teachers does exist.
For access, contact the Department of Education’s People and Workplace Relations (Schools) team: Contact HR for schools.
Victorian Institute of Teaching (2002–present)
The VIT keeps an online public list of teachers. You can search for registered teachers on the Victorian Institute of Teaching website.
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