The number of teachers across Victoria is growing, with 12,000 more registered school teachers in 2024 compared to 2020, according to Victorian Institute of Teaching data.
Minister for Education Ben Carroll and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn have welcomed the increase in new teachers who have joined the Victorian education profession in 2023 and 2024.
In the past year from June 2023 to June 2024, nearly 1,700 new school teachers joined Victoria’s government schools. More broadly, the number of registered schoolteachers in Victoria grew by 14.9 per cent between June 2017 and June 2024, far exceeding Victoria’s population growth of 10.8 per cent over this period.
The number of new early childhood teachers who have gained provisional registration grew by almost 50 per cent in 2023, while fully registered early childhood teachers also grew by 10.2 per cent over the same period.
They said the growth in the Victorian teaching workforce demonstrates the success of the record investment in teacher supply to support schools and early childhood services.
“We are supporting our teachers through Career Start, a graduate program for new teachers, career development through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and investment that means we have the best student to teacher ratios of all states,” they said.
Ms Blandthorn added: “We have made significant investments in initiatives to grow and support the kindergarten workforce as we roll out our Best Start, Best Life reforms in partnership with the early childhood sector.”
Alongside the growth in the current teaching workforce, the Victorian Government is also supporting more Victorians to undertake teaching degrees.
This year Victoria has seen a 23 per cent increase in student teachers enrolling in secondary undergraduate education courses through VTAC compared to 2023, showing that the scholarships are increasing the number of people studying to become teachers.
The scholarships in addition to paid placements for trainee teachers and employment-based degrees are part of the Victorian Government’s $1.6 billion investment to support and grow the school teaching workforce in Victoria.
“Victoria is home to some of the most talented teachers in the nation and I want to thank all teachers for their extraordinary commitment to education,” Mr Carroll said.
“I want more Victorians to pursue a career in education which is why we’re backing them with the resources they need to do an excellent job.
“We’re seeing a promising increase in recruitment with almost 1,700 extra teachers employed in our schools over the past year.”
