Media Releases

Exceptional Opportunity for Diploma Qualified Educators to Become Early Childhood Teachers in Victoria

The Front Project is excited to announce we are working with the Victorian Department of Education and the Australian Catholic University on an exceptional opportunity for diploma qualified educators to become Early Childhood Teachers.

The Innovative Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degree at ACU is an exceptional opportunity

for educators to become qualified ECT’s with the Victorian Government paying university course fees, in an accelerated 18-month course. Students can start as early as March this year and graduate in July next year – as a bachelor trained teacher. This opportunity provides educators with the financial, in- service, and mentoring supports needed to graduate and step into an ECT role with confidence.

Key Features of the Innovative ITE degree:

• ACECQA approved pathway for students with a Diploma
• Nationally recognised bachelor's degree
• 18-month accelerated course with transition and mentoring support
• University tuition fees covered by the Victorian Government
• Employers are reimbursed per hour for student’s professional practice backfill
• Student is allowed one professional practice in their own service*
• Limited opportunity and limited intakes
• Free access to the Upskill Program study supports and resources
• Curated professional development through ECA and access to further supports after graduation for transition into a teaching role

*Students on professional practice cannot be counted in ratio

Application Criteria:

• Live & work in Victoria
• Completed your Diploma in Early Childhood
• Work in an ECEC service
• Be ready to study full time for 18 months
• Ready to begin in the first or second semester 2022

Students approved for the Innovative ITE degree will receive free access to the Upskill Program, an initiative of the Front Project aimed at building up the ECEC workforce, underpinned by the vision of improving outcomes for children and families in Australia. The Upskill Program is a mixed mentoring, resources, and peer-to-peer support program that helps university students confidently navigate the key milestones of undertaking early childhood teaching qualifications through to completing their degree.

For more information, please read our ITE Innovative Degree flyer or you can go directly to the application page here.

Download media release