Career Opportunities in Victoria's Early Childhood Sector

If you are a qualified early childhood education professional, Victoria offers a wealth of career opportunities within its expanding sector. From Melbourne to regional and rural areas, there are numerous roles available in early childhood education and care, with the state making record investments and introducing significant reforms to support the workforce. This post will highlight the fantastic career opportunities, financial incentives, and migration options for international professionals looking to join Victoria’s early childhood sector.

Career Opportunities in Victoria

Victoria is leading the way in early childhood education in Australia, with state-wide reforms providing unprecedented opportunities. Key changes include:

Two years of kindergarten available across the state from 2022, providing children with essential early learning.
Free kindergarten programs for 3 and 4-year-olds at participating services, starting in 2023.
Pre-Prep rollout in 2025, expanding funded kinder hours from 15 to 30 hours a week in the year before school.

These reforms create a high demand for skilled early childhood education professionals. Whether you are an experienced teacher or educator, or someone looking to advance your career, there are plenty of opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the sector.

Financial Support for Relocating Professionals

If you are considering moving to Victoria to take up a role in early childhood education, there are several financial incentives available to support your relocation.

Relocating alone: Qualified professionals moving from overseas can receive $6,000 AUD in relocation support.
Relocating with family or dependents: If you are bringing your family along, you can receive $8,000 AUD in relocation support.
Location incentives: Some services offering kindergarten programs may offer additional incentives ranging from $9,000 to $50,000, depending on the location.

In addition to relocation support, $9,000 AUD is available for individuals relocating from overseas.

Find Early Childhood Jobs in Victoria

The Early Childhood Jobs website connects professionals with employers across Victoria. The website is free to use and lists job opportunities in various regions of Victoria, including roles eligible for location incentives. Employers can tag job ads to show whether location incentives are available, helping job seekers find the best opportunities.

International professionals can also take advantage of specialist recruitment agencies offered by the Department of Education in Victoria. These agencies provide expert support to help you secure a role and successfully relocate.

Discover Melbourne and Victoria

From Melbourne’s vibrant city life to the picturesque regions of Victoria, there’s much to discover beyond your professional role. The state offers a variety of environments, from bustling metropolitan areas to tranquil regional locations. No matter your preference, there’s an opportunity for you.

Visa Information for Migrating to Australia

If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you will need a visa to live and work in Australia. Here are the options available for early childhood professionals:

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): A permanent visa allowing you to live and work anywhere within Victoria, including Melbourne.
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): A 5-year visa for living and working in regional Victoria, with a pathway to permanent residency after three years.

These visas add extra points to your Australian visa application, which can improve your chances of a successful application. The best part? Both of these visa options do not require a job offer or employer sponsorship.

Early Childhood Teacher Registration in Victoria

To work as an early childhood teacher in Victoria, you must be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Registration requires you to meet certain qualification requirements, which can be checked through the ACECQA Qualifications Checker. If you are an international applicant, you may need to apply for an Early Childhood Qualification Assessment through ACECQA before applying for VIT registration.

The registration process typically takes 4-6 weeks once all required documents are submitted. If you are registered in New Zealand, you may be eligible for the Mutual Recognition pathway to streamline the process.

Relocate and Make a Difference

Victoria’s early childhood sector offers diverse career paths, generous financial support, and clear visa pathways for international professionals. If you’re ready to advance your career in this rewarding field and enjoy a new lifestyle in beautiful Victoria, now is the perfect time to make your move.

Visit the Early Childhood Jobs website today to search for available roles, and register your interest with one of the specialist recruitment agencies to receive tailored support for your relocation.