Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $97,955 - $111,142
Grade: VPS 4
Occupation: Early childhood
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/ECE/1889699
An exciting opportunity exists for two passionate and driven Program Advisors to join the Professional Practice Branch on a fixed-term basis until 30 June 2029.
About the Roles
We're recruiting for two exciting opportunities to join high-impact teams driving the delivery of Victoria's Best Start, Best Life reforms. These roles focus on strengthening and fostering the quality of early childhood education across Victoria. You'll be part of dynamic teams shaping initiatives that empower teachers, educators and leaders to deliver high-quality programs and achieve better outcomes for every child.
Work requirements will include:
Role 1: Professional Practice Programs Unit
This role focuses on delivering targeted programs that support high-quality teaching practice in kindergarten and Pre-Prep settings. You'll contribute to the development of evidence-informed resources, professional learning, and strategic advice grounded in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). Your work will directly support the capability of educators and services to deliver improved outcomes for children and families. Flexibility to pivot across the broader branch may be required, as priorities evolve and new projects or initiatives emerge in response to sector needs and reform directions.
Role 2: Program Officer – Leadership and Professional Partnerships Unit
In this role, you'll help shape and deliver initiatives that build leadership capability and promote strong professional partnerships across the sector. Your work will support system-wide improvements in teaching and leadership, including through partnerships that enhance the home learning environment and strengthen community connections. This role provides the opportunity to work with the team on innovative and impactful programs that are closely aligned with the state's reform priorities. It's ideally suited to a collaborative and adaptable professional who enjoys working across complex projects that drive sector-wide improvement.
Attributes
Both Roles
Role 1: Professional Practice Programs Unit
Role 2: Leadership and Professional Partnerships Unit
Qualifications and Experience
How to Apply
Applications should include:
About the Division
The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP) Division guides, supports, and inspires high quality educational practice that improves the learning and development outcomes of Victoria's young children in government funded early learning programs. The Division's work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all children are able to access, be included in, and engage with early learning. ELPAP leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs and to support participation for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, those who stand to benefit most from early learning.
The Division is also responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives for kindergarten and Pre-Prep aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF).
To carry out this work, the Division is organised into two branches: the Early Learning Participation Branch and the Professional Practice Branch. Together, these branches lead work across several key focus areas:
Professional Practice Branch
The Professional Practice Branch is responsible for policy development, program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement to support high quality practice in government funded early learning programs, with a specific focus on kindergarten programs.
The Branch leads the implementation of the VEYLDF, in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority, and supports quality improvement in early ch ildhood settings in line with the framework. The Branch has carriage of professional practice supports and key initiatives that support children's learning in the kindergarten system, including the Kindergarten Quality Improvement Program, the Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool, and a range of workforce retention and recognition programs.
The Branch consists of five units that work in close collaboration:
About the Department
The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Sarah Dempster, Acting Director Professional Practice via [email protected]
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on 26 October 2025