Education portfolio policy issues & amendments

The Victorian education portfolio exists to ensure every student gains access to high-quality schooling, skills development, lifelong learning, and sustainable career pathways across our communities.

Early childhood and foundational school education

State governance oversees early childhood kindergarten funding, learning regulation, and comprehensive workforce support. We are targeting school funding allocations, student wellbeing, and curriculum delivery to rebuild core academic standards and empower educators from day one.

Vocational pathways and higher education partnerships

Strengthening TAFE, apprenticeships, and skills training ensures practical industry readiness for all Australians. Strategic university partnerships and collaborative research programs drive innovation while connecting learning directly to regional and national workforce opportunities.

Addressing regional teacher shortages and student support

A critical issue facing Victorian schools is severe workforce shortages, particularly in regional areas. Our policy amendments focus on targeted teacher incentives, integrated mental health programs, disability support, and inclusive classrooms so no student or school is left behind.

Our services

 

Purpose

The Victorian Education Portfolio gives every student access to quality education, skills, lifelong learning, and pathways to employment, training and community participation.

Current State Responsibilities

Early Childhood Education

  • Kindergarten funding
  • Early learning regulation
  • Workforce support

School Education

  • Government schools
  • Funding allocation
  • Teacher workforce
  • Student wellbeing
  • Curriculum

Vocational Education & Training

  • TAFE
  • Apprenticeships
  • Skills development
  • Industry partnerships

Higher Education

  • University partnerships
  • Research collaboration
  • Innovation programs

Student Support Services

  • Disability support
  • Mental health programs
  • Inclusion services
  • Learning support

 

Teacher Workforce Shortages

Current Situation

Many schools experience workforce shortages, particularly in:

  • Regional areas
  • Specialist subjects
  • STEM disciplines
  • Special education

Root Causes

  • Workforce attrition
  • Burnout
  • Increasing administrative burden
  • Competition from other sectors

Proposed Amendment

Education Workforce Sustainability Strategy

  • Reduce teacher administrative workload
  • Expand teacher training pathways
  • Increase rural and regional incentives
  • Strengthen workforce retention programs
  • Improve graduate teacher support

Expected Outcome

  • Improved workforce stability
  • Reduced vacancies
  • Better learning outcomes

 

Student Wellbeing & Mental Health

Current Situation

Schools are increasingly managing:

  • Anxiety
  • Mental health concerns
  • School disengagement
  • Behavioural challenges

Root Causes

  • Growing wellbeing needs
  • Limited service integration
  • Delayed access to specialist services

Proposed Amendment

Student Wellbeing Reform Program

  • Expand school wellbeing teams
  • Improve early intervention support
  • Increase counselling access
  • Strengthen school-community partnerships

Expected Outcome

  • Improved attendance
  • Better student wellbeing
  • Reduced disengagement

 

School Infrastructure Pressures

Current Situation

Population growth areas continue to place pressure on:

  • Classrooms
  • School capacity
  • Shared facilities

Root Causes

  • Rapid growth corridors
  • Infrastructure delivery lag
  • Increasing enrolments

Proposed Amendment

Infrastructure First Education Planning

  • Link school construction to growth forecasts
  • Improve long-term infrastructure planning
  • Expand shared community facilities
  • Improve maintenance programs

Expected Outcome

  • Reduced overcrowding
  • Better learning environments
  • Increased educational capacity

 

Skills & Industry Alignment

Current Situation

Skills shortages exist across several industries.

Root Causes

  • Training pathways not matching workforce demand
  • Limited exposure to vocational careers
  • Changing workforce requirements

Proposed Amendment

Skills for Future Industries Initiative

  • Strengthen TAFE investment
  • Expand apprenticeships
  • Improve industry partnerships
  • Support emerging industries

Expected Outcome

  • Better workforce readiness
  • Reduced skills shortages
  • Higher employment participation

 

 

Educational Equity

Current Situation

Student outcomes can vary depending on:

  • Location
  • Socio-economic circumstances
  • Disability
  • Access to support services

Proposed Amendment

Education Access & Equity Framework

  • Improve regional access
  • Expand inclusion programs
  • Strengthen support services
  • Improve digital access

Expected Outcome

  • Greater educational opportunity
  • Improved completion rates
  • Better student outcomes

  •  

    Funding Priorities

    Priority 1

    Teacher Workforce Development

    Priority 2

    Student Wellbeing Services

    Priority 3

    School Infrastructure

    Priority 4

    TAFE & Skills Training

    Priority 5

    Inclusive Education Programs

    Priority 6

    Digital Learning Systems

     

 

 

Five-Year Roadmap

Years 1-2: Stabilise & Strengthen

Workforce

  • Conduct a statewide education workforce review.
  • Reduce administrative burden on teachers.
  • Improve teacher recruitment and retention pathways.

Student Support

  • Expand wellbeing and mental health services.
  • Strengthen early intervention programs.
  • Improve inclusion and disability support.

Infrastructure

  • Review school capacity requirements.
  • Identify growth-area infrastructure priorities.
  • Upgrade ageing educational facilities.

Skills & Training

  • Expand partnerships with industry.
  • Improve vocational pathways.
  • Strengthen TAFE participation and completion rates.

Years 3-5: Build & Modernise

Workforce

  • Achieve sustainable staffing levels.
  • Increase specialist teaching capacity.
  • Strengthen regional workforce attraction.

Education Infrastructure

  • Deliver priority school construction projects.
  • Modernise learning environments.
  • Improve technology and digital access.

Student Outcomes

  • Increase engagement and attendance.
  • Improve literacy, numeracy and life skills outcomes.
  • Expand wellbeing support services.

Skills Development

  • Strengthen links between education and employment.
  • Expand apprenticeships and vocational opportunities.
  • Improve workforce readiness for future industries.

Ten-Year Vision

Education Victoria 2036

A modern, accessible and high-performing education system that prepares all Victorians for lifelong learning, employment, citizenship and community participation.

Strategic Outcomes

  • Strong and sustainable teaching workforce.
  • Modern schools and learning environments.
  • High-quality vocational education and training.
  • Improved student wellbeing and engagement.
  • Greater support for regional communities.
  • Equitable access to educational opportunity.
  • Stronger pathways from education to employment.

Community Outcomes

Victorians should experience:

✅ High-quality education regardless of postcode.

✅ Clear pathways from early learning to employment.

✅ Better support for student wellbeing and mental health.

✅ Modern, inclusive and safe learning environments.

✅ Accessible vocational education and skills training.

✅ Stronger regional and rural education opportunities.

✅ Improved educational outcomes that support future prosperity.