The Effective Mentoring Program (EMP) enhances experienced teachers' mentoring knowledge and skills. Experienced teachers can then help graduate and returning teachers achieve full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). These teachers can also act as the VIT-trained mentor on workplace recommendations panels.
The program is delivered as a partnership between the Department of Education (DE) and the VIT.
Eligibility
The program is for experienced teachers who hold a current VIT registration and are mentoring provisionally registered teachers (PRTs) in:
- government, Catholic and independent schools
- early childhood and education care settings
- non-school education centres (e.g., hospitals and zoos).
EMP seminars 2025
The EMP seminars will be delivered face-to-face. A limited number of virtual seminars will be available to participants unable to access a face-to-face seminar.
For further information about eligibility, please contact EMP@camb-ed.com.au(opens in a new window).
Participants who register for the program are required to attend day 1 and day 2 of the program. They must also complete the pre and post online modules. This is to achieve certification as a VIT-trained mentor on the workplace recommendation panels.
A refresher 1 day program is available to mentor teachers who have previously completed the program.
The program is offered at no cost to early childhood services or participants.
Backfill
Approved providers may be eligible to claim a contribution towards backfill for early childhood teachers participating in the EMP.
The maximum backfill contribution for 1 participant over a 12-month period is 2 days, depending on which program the employee has participated in, either the 2-day program (2 days backfill) or the 1-day refresher (1-day backfill).
Reimbursement claims must be submitted before 14 October 2025. Please note that claims cannot be submitted prior to the participant attending the program.
Successful claims will be issued funding through the approved provider’s existing service agreement with the department. Payments can be tracked through the Funded Agency Channel: http://fac.dhhs.vic.gov.au/.
Further information (including eligibility) is available by downloading the Effective Mentoring Program 2025 Backfill contribution claim form.
Apply for the program
Registrations are now open for 2025.
Register for the face-to-face:
Limited virtual seminar dates are available in 2025.
For further information about eligibility, please contact EMP@camb-ed.com.au(opens in a new window).
Seminar dates
Skills developed
This program will embed ongoing professional learning in day-to-day practice. It gives teachers the mentoring skills to support graduate teachers and build the professional practice of the PRT.
The program develops mentoring practices and skills. These skills can support provisionally registered teachers from provisional to full VIT registration.
The activities explore mentoring with examples and readings to develop your skills.
See what mentoring looks like at Windsor Community Children's Centre - Vimeo.
Program overview
The program will:
Day 1
- identify the purpose and benefits of mentoring to build a strong mentoring culture
- develop mentoring skills focused on teacher professional growth
- unpack the role of regulation and the standards in teacher development
- identify indicators that PRTs are ready for full registration
- walk through the VIT registration process.
Day 2
- build practical mentoring knowledge and skills
- understand the role of mentoring in developing leadership capacity
- explore professional responsibilities and professional expectations, including how to discuss this with PRTs
- unpack guidance materials and case studies.
Reflective conversations with other mentors allow ideas and understandings to be shared.
Refresher course
The EMP Refresher is for mentor teachers who have previously completed the program. Please note the Refresher course is not mandatory.
The program will:
- strengthen experienced mentors’ understanding of the purpose and benefits of mentoring
- develop mentoring skills and professional growth, including how to build a mentoring culture
- unpack the role of regulation and the standards in teacher development
- share the insights and experiences of established VIT mentors
- discuss updates to the application process and teacher readiness
- delve more deeply into the role of mentoring in developing leadership capacity.
Mentor Self-Assessment Tool (MSAT)
The Mentor’s Self-Assessment Tool (MSAT) has been developed for participants of the EMP. The MSAT will identify participants’ knowledge and understanding of mentoring. It can also support reflection on growth throughout the program.
Participants will complete the MSAT at the commencement and completion of the EMP.
Mentoring Capability Framework
A key component of the EMP is the Mentoring Capability Framework (MCF). This framework provides a guide to mentoring new teachers in Victorian early year childhood settings.
The purpose of the MCF is to create clear and consistent mentoring experiences. It describes the expectations and behaviours of mentors and mentees in 6 domains of professional learning.
The MCF is focused on guiding the development of mentoring relationships. It aligns with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the National Quality Framework.
The MCF describes the expectations and behaviours of mentors and mentees. It also shows the cultural and structural elements needed for effective mentoring of beginning teachers. This supports collective responsibility.
Mentoring capability framework (DOCX, 8KB)
See what mentoring looks like at Moreland Community Childcare - Vimeo.
How does this program differ from the Coach and Mentor Training Program?
The Effective Mentoring Program (EMP) provides training tailored for experienced teachers to mentor a PRT to achieve full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
The Coach and Mentor Training Program provides comprehensive training for experienced teachers and educators. It also equips participants to provide coaching and mentoring to their colleagues at all stages of their career. You can find further information on the Coach and Mentor Training Program page.
More information
For further information about the program or backfill, please contact ec.mentoring@education.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).
For enquiries regarding registration or program content, please contact EMP@camb-ed.com.au(opens in a new window).
For further information about the requirements for provisionally registered teachers to become fully registered, visit the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
For more information for Schools visit Mentor Training for experienced teachers (education.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window))(opens in a new window).
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