VIT registration tasks must be completed in Term Three – attention Victorian ECTs

Victorian early childhood teachers (ECTs) have been reminded by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) that their annual registration tasks must be completed in Term Three.

 

Service leaders have been asked to support the teachers in their service to maintain their obligations, with VIT acknowledging that Term Three is “a very busy term, not to mention the unprecedented challenges early childhood teachers have faced this year”.

 

Acknowledging the commitment that teachers and employers have shown during this challenging time, and acknowledging that the impacts of COVID-19 are ongoing, the VIT have aimed to minimise those impacts on teachers’ registration requirements where possible, including by streamlining the process by moving to one registration platform for all ECTs and their employers to manage their registration requirements.

 

“The new system will improve the way VIT interacts with ECTs and their employers and provide a better user experience through self-service registration activities and paperless applications,” a VIT spokesperson said.

 

ECTs began being moved into the new system at 5pm Friday 17 July 2020 with the transition due to be completed by 10am Monday 27 July 2020.

 

During this time MyVIT teacher accounts and the early childhood and employer portals will not be accessible while teacher registration data is being migrated into the new system. As the system is offline, VIT’s ability to respond to complex registration matters may also be impacted, however the public register of teachers will be available for interested parties to confirm registration status.

 

ECTs and leaders were encouraged by VIT to be in touch “as soon as possible” with any teacher registration matters, either by email to [email protected] including ’employer portal’ in the subject line for priority responses, or by phone to the Early Childhood hotline on 1300 977 263.

 

As teachers are migrated to the new system, the early childhood portal (currently in use for ECTs whose registration number starts with ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ or ‘4’) will cease to operate. Employers will only need to access the employer portal to view and manage all of your early childhood teachers’ applications and registrations.

 

Employers can log into the  employer portal with their username and password, with VIT recommending that a Chrome browser is used to access this portal.

 

Early childhood username is the email address which is registered with VIT.

 

For those logging into the portal for the first time, a new password will need to be created by clicking on “forgot your password?’ 

 

Invoicing for VIT registration will be received by post and email to ECTs from 27 July 2020, staggered over three weeks. The invoice will contain instructions on how to access the new system and a guide on how to complete the annual registration process.

 

Annual registration tasks are due by 30 September, after which time a late processing fee applies. VIT asked for employer assistance to pass this information onto staff, in particular any ECTs who are currently on leave, including long service or family leave.

 

Victorian ECTs and their employers are able to review teachers’ registration status on the public register or employer portal. A registered teacher does not need to be in possession of their registration card to prove they are registered to teach.

 

A list of key annual registration dates is available here while the FAQ section of the VIT website contains responses to most questions, including adjustments VIT has made to annual registration requirements to minimise the impacts of COVID-19 and assist teachers to maintain their registration.

 

“We receive a large volume of enquiries approaching the annual registration due date. It is best to contact us as soon as possible if you or your teachers require any assistance,” a VIT spokesperson said, advising that the best times to contact VIT are 9-11am and 2-4pm.

 

Once all requirements for the renewal of registration have been met, 2020 registration cards may take up to 20 business days to be received.