Media releases

The Gippsland teaching workforce is set to get a boost with Federation University Australia now offering an innovative employment-based teaching degree in Gippsland in 2025 thanks to the support of the Victorian Government.

This year, students can enrol in Bachelor of Education Studies at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul, allowing them to study closer to home, where they can maintain ties to their community.

This new, tailored course is aimed at education support staff, such as teachers’ aides, already working in Victorian government schools in the Gippsland region with a passion for education. This means participants can continue to work in their education support roles in their schools while they study.

After successfully completing the first year of the course, students will be eligible to transfer to the second year of Federation’s Bachelor of Education (Primary) or Bachelor of Secondary Education to complete their teaching qualifications.

Liam Smit, 30, started the course in February. He wants to make a positive difference in his local community through education, having grown up in the Latrobe Valley. Liam worked on a spud farm, completed a painting apprenticeship, and has been an education support worker in schools for eight years.

The initiative is a partnership with the Department of Education aimed at addressing regional teaching workforce shortages.

For more information on this new initiative, please contact Federation University at diracop.ieac@federation.edu.au

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll

“I want more Victorians to pursue a career in education and this is made easier when they can study close to home. Regional partnerships such as this one with Federation University are so important as our workforce continues to grow.”

“Being a teacher is the most important job in the world and this initiative provides a path for experienced education support staff to transition into the teaching workforce giving kids in the Gippsland region access a world class Victorian education.”

Quotes attributable to Federation University Deputy Dean of the Institute of Education, Arts and Community, Professor Jenene Burke

“This program follows on from the successful pilot that Federation commenced last year in the Wimmera in partnership with the Department of Education. Federation University is delighted to extend the initiative to Education Support staff from Gippsland schools in 2025.”

“We know that students who reside in regional Victoria will want to teach in regional Victoria once they are qualified teachers. This program will go a long way to ensure a supply of qualified teachers to address the current workforce needs in Gippsland.”

Quotes attributable to Federation University Bachelor of Education student, Liam Smit

“Having a course like this that is tailored to Education Support staff is such a great initiative, the fact that you can still work full time and go to uni without having to drop days at work is a game changer.

“Education Support staff are such pivotal people in schools, so it makes sense to allow them to get the department’s support to get their bachelor’s degree.”