Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) Program

The Victorian Government is offering fully funded postgraduate scholarships for eligible teachers and regional staff who support students with learning difficulties.

2027 Application Round

Applications for Round 6 will open at 9:00am on Monday 1 February 2027 and close at 11:59pm on Monday 15 March 2027.

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Support for Schools

Postgraduate study can feel like a big step, particularly for schools in regional and rural settings.

The Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit (IESU) can work with you to understand your context and talk through study options.

We encourage early contact so we can support your planning.

📞 Contact us to discuss your situation and options.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to grow your career in learning difficulties and inclusive education.

Eligibility and scholarship prioritisation

Only 50 scholarships are available — contact the IESU to check your eligibility and get started.

Priority is given to schools that have not previously received a scholarship.

Small, rural, and remote schools across Victoria are particularly encouraged to contact the IESU directly to discuss how we can support you to access these scholarships.

All applicants must have full VIT registration.

Priority offers

  • 2 places per program for small, rural schools with student enrolments of 100 or under (primary) and 400 and under (secondary)
  • 2 places per program for specialist and supported inclusion schools.

Extra scholarships rules:

  • Multiple campuses: Each campus may receive an extra scholarship.
  • Large schools: Schools with more than 500 students may receive one extra scholarship per 500 students.

Regional workforces

  • All regional workforce applicants interested in applying in 2027 will apply through their region. More detail about this process will be available in late 2026.

How the course aligns with your teaching practice

This course is for teachers based in schools or regional settings who want to build their skills and confidence in supporting the learning needs of all students.

It prepares teachers to:

  • Learn to lead evidence-based literacy and numeracy practice across your school
  • Understand the building blocks of learning
  • Support a systematic synthetic phonics approach for students in Prep to Grade 2 as part of VLTM 2.0
  • Use data to measure student progress and plan interventions
  • Apply evidence-based strategies to real classroom challenges
  • Set achievable goals for Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and improve differentiation
  • Gain the confidence and skills to coach and support colleagues in inclusive teaching.

What teachers say about the course

We asked recent graduates how their Graduate Certificate study impacted their teaching – here’s what they had to say.

Watch this video featuring Danielle Henderson, Assistant Principal at Seville Primary School.

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties): Seville Primary School
View transcript

Watch this video featuring Jacqueline Damen and Katherine Griffin, classroom teachers at Surf Coast Secondary College.

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties): Surf Coast Secondary College
View transcript

Watch this video featuring Brooke Slopak, RTI/MTSS Intervention Teacher at Keelonith Primary School.

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) Keelonith Primary School
View transcript

What study involves

  • Study 4 subjects covering: how students learn, cognitive load theory, literacy, numeracy, and implementing inclusive change in schools.
  • Attend 4 online teaching days (Saturday or Sunday) per 12-week subject.
  • Undertake online self-directed study, including preparation, readings, and assignments.
  • Study 1 subject each semester (part-time) to balance study, work, and personal commitments.
  • Complete the course over 12 or 24 months, starting in Semester 2 (July) in the year you apply.

For detailed subject descriptions, visit the Faculty of Education course page: Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties).

Note: There is no practicum, so no Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) provision is required.

Pathway to the Master of Learning Intervention (Stream A course, learning difficulties specialisation)

To continue to the Master of Learning Intervention (Stream A) at the University of Melbourne:

  1. Apply for the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties).
  2. After completing the Graduate Certificate, apply for the Master of Learning Intervention.
  3. Apply for 50% Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the four Graduate Certificate subjects.
  4. Complete 4 additional subjects to earn the Master’s qualification.

Contact the IESU for further information.

Key scholarship obligations

The Department is investing in building strong inclusive education skills across schools and regions.

If you accept a scholarship, you must meet specific employment and financial obligations outlined in the guidelines and application form.

The course cost is listed in the guidelines.

Important: If you do not meet these obligations, you must repay the course fees.

Read the Debt Recovery Policy in the guidelines for more details.

  • Withdrawal from a unit after the census date: pay re-enrolment costs.
  • Withdrawal from the course entirely: repay costs for all subjects started.
  • Leaving the Department during study or within 2 years post-completion: repay course fees.
  • Moving to a role that does not support students with learning difficulties within 2 years post-completion: repay course fees.

Consider carefully whether this course is right for you and your school.

General Recipient Obligations

  • The course can be completed sooner, but you will study 2 years part-time.
  • Changes to roles, schools, or enrolment status (defer, intermission, withdraw) must be approved by IESU.
  • Start date: You must begin in Semester 2 in the year you apply. Deferrals are not allowed in the first semester of study.

How to apply

  1. Talk to your principal or manager to make sure your study supports your school or region’s inclusive education goals.
  2. If you are from a small, rural, or remote school, we strongly encourage you to contact the IESU early to discuss available scholarships and how we can support you to participate.

Download the guidelines for full details on eligibility, obligations and how to apply. (Round 6 guidelines will be uploaded in August.)

Successful applicants

Applicants will be notified by email about one month after applications close.

Successful applicants will receive a provisional offer and must:

  • Complete university application and enrolment, and
  • Send signed induction documents to the IESU.

Full details are in the program guidelines.

Scholarship benefits

  • Full tuition coverage
  • Up to 2 years to complete your course.

Get a head start in Inclusive Education!

Ready to learn more about inclusive education?

Explore these helpful resources:

Additional postgraduate study opportunities available

Through the Master of Inclusive Education Program, teachers can support their schools to plan and assist students with diverse learning needs using evidence-based approaches.

For more information, visit Master of Inclusive Education program | Schools Vic.

Contact us

The Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit (IESU) supports both new applicants and current recipients.

If you have questions about applying or your current study, our team can help.

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Contact email: inclusive.ed.scholarships@education.vic.gov.au

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