VIT Full Registration Doesn’t Have to Be Solo… Know Your Rights!
Part 1
The VECTEA can feel dense, but once you break it down, it’s a powerful tool for protecting your rights, especially during something as important as your VIT full registration! This week we’re talking a deep dive into The Victorian Early Childhood Teachers and Educators Agreement (2020) Clause 52 (Graduate Teacher Mentoring) and Clause 27.4 (Reimbursement of Expenses) to help establish the entitlements early childhood teacher undergoing the VIT full registration process should have access to.
Just a friendly heads-up before we begin that this isn’t legal advice, just my personal interpretation of the VECTEA 2020 agreement based on the wording in Clause 52 and related sections. If you're unsure how it applies to your situation, it might be worth checking with your union or a legal advisor.
The VIT Full-Registration Process is a huge process and we are lucky to have an Agreement that advocates for us. In part one of this 4 part deep dive we will interpret the relevant VECTEA clauses. To begin let’s look at the exact wording of clause 52 and clause 27.4:
52 Graduate Teacher Mentoring
(a) A Teacher with provisional teacher registration with the VIT will be entitled to up to four days paid leave for the purposes of moving to full teacher registration.
(b) A Teacher mentoring a provisionally registered Teacher moving to full registration with the VIT will be entitled to up to four days paid leave for the purposes of mentoring.
(c) The timing of the leave must be approved by the employer and can be taken in agreed periods of hours, half days, or full days. Requests for leave will not unreasonably be refused.
(d) The leave can be used for VIT mentoring and registration activities, including but not limited to:
(i) mentoring meetings;
(ii) observing a teacher's practice or being observed;
(iii) professional development;
(iv) preparing or reviewing the registration evidence and documentation;
(v) attending the Victorian Institute of Teaching recommendation panel;
(vi) writing the recommendation report to submit to the VIT; or
(vii) other activities required to move to full teacher registration approved by the employer.
(e) Any expenses incurred as a result of the VIT mentoring can be reimbursed in accordance with clause 27.4 - Reimbursement of expenses.
27.4 Reimbursement of Expenses
All reasonable expenses incurred by the employee at the written direction and prior approval of the employer, including out-of-pocket expenses, course fees and materials, telephones, accommodation, travelling expenses, police checks and the cost of special protective clothing, incurred in connection with the employee's duties will be paid or reimbursed by the employer.
Such expenses do not include items that are required to be held by the employee under the National Law, National Regulations or any other statutory or regulatory authority.
The employer shall require the employee to present evidence of cost/expenditure prior to effecting payment.
Breakdown of VECTEA Full Registration Clauses
Clause 52 - Graduate Teacher Mentoring
This clause applies to:
Teachers with provisional registration, and
Teachers who are mentoring someone through that process.
What it means for you as a provisionally registered early childhood teacher:
(52a) You are entitled to up to 4 days of paid leave (not unpaid or personal leave) to complete the steps required to move to full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
This means your employer must allow and pay you for time off (up to 4 days total) to do registration-related tasks.
What it means for your mentor:
(52b) Your mentor is also entitled to up to 4 days of paid leave to support you in the VIT registration process.
Flexibility in how leave is taken:
(52c) The 4 days can be taken in chunks – hours, half-days, or full days.
The timing needs to be approved by your employer, but they can’t unreasonably refuse your request.
How can you use this leave?
(52d) The leave can be used for a wide range of VIT-related activities, including but not limited to:
Mentoring sessions with your mentor
Observing or being observed during teaching
Participating in professional development
Preparing your evidence portfolio
Attending a recommendation panel if required
Your mentor writing their recommendation report
Other activities related to full registration – with employer approval
So, it’s not just about the observation, it also covers PD, writing, reviewing evidence, and even meetings with VIT panels.
Clause 27.4 – Reimbursement of Expenses
This clause outlines when and how you can be reimbursed for costs related to your job.
What this means for you in the VIT registration process:
If your employer gives written approval in advance (very important!), then:
They must reimburse you for reasonable out-of-pocket costs, like:
Course fees
Materials
Travel or accommodation
Any specific costs incurred in connection with your duties as a teacher going through VIT registration
However:
If you don’t get prior written approval, they are not obligated to reimburse you.
They will not reimburse for costs that are your personal statutory obligations, such as:
Having a Working With Children Check
Holding VIT registration itself
Police checks (unless directed by the employer)
You must present proof of payment (like receipts) to be reimbursed.
Practical Tips:
Plan your registration work with your mentor early: break it into sessions and map out how you’ll use your 4 days.
Submit leave requests in advance and in writing: include details about what the leave is for (e.g., observation, mentoring, PD).
Get written approval from your employer before incurring any expenses if you expect to be reimbursed.
Keep receipts and records of any registration-related costs you’re approved to claim.
Quick Reference of what this means for you as an early childhood teacher going through VIT full registration:
