Teachers in all Victorian government schools and regional workforce employees wishing to enhance their knowledge in inclusive education and continue supporting students of all abilities are eligible to apply for this postgraduate opportunity.
Regional workforce employees must obtain support and endorsement from respective managers and Executive Director Student Wellbeing and Engagement. Please contact your manager to discuss your application.
*Please note, there are limited scholarships available in Round 10. Please refer to the Eligibility section below.
Application Round 10 is now closed.
Program objectives
The long-term vision of the program is that every Victorian government school will have a masters-qualified inclusive education teacher on staff, creating and leading a more inclusive school environment for all students across the state, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds.
Undertaking a postgraduate study in inclusive education will help teachers assist their schools to:
- plan for and support students with disability and additional learning needs
- use contemporary evidence-based, best practice approaches.
Participating universities
The program has partnered with 7 tertiary providers (VIC/NSW) to deliver 8 targeted postgraduate online courses in inclusive education. There are 75 scholarships available across the following universities/courses. Before applying, please contact the Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit to see whether your school is eligible.
Eligibility
For the program to have the broadest impact, schools that have not previously been awarded a scholarship from previous rounds will be prioritised. In addition, please note the following:
- additional scholarships will be provided to schools with multiple campuses (1 per campus)
- additional scholarships with be provided to schools with student enrolments greater than 500 (1 per 500). Where a school has over 750 students and less than 1,000, an additional scholarship can be expended.
- The program has committed to providing two scholarships per Specialist and Supported Inclusion School
- The program will provide schools with additional scholarships for teachers interested in specialising in deaf and hard of hearing or vision impairment. The following courses are on offer:
- NextSense - Macquarie University: Master of Disability Studies – Deaf and hard of hearing; blindness/low vision; sensory disability.
- University of Melbourne: Master of Learning Intervention (Stream A) – Deaf education.
- University of Newcastle: Master of Special and Inclusive Education – Deaf studies and deaf education.
To avoid disappointment, please contact the IESU to ensure your school is eligible for a scholarship in Round 10 as your school may already have a recipient/graduate from the program.
Regional workforce eligibility
Applicants should be aware that dual qualifications apply for most courses: for example, an allied health qualification plus initial teacher education (ITE) and full VIT registration. Please see below for specific courses where this does not apply:
- The Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis at Monash University
- The Master of Special and Inclusive Education at the University of Newcastle
- The Master of Disability Studies at Next Sense/Macquarie University
Before applying
Please consider scholarship obligations below:
The Department of Education has made a significant financial investment in capability-building for schools and regional workforces to build the skills and knowledge of inclusive education to better support the needs of all students. Financial obligations for successful applicants are clearly outlined on the program webpage, in the guidelines and the application form.
If you are unable to meet the program employment and financial obligations, you will be required to repay to the department the course fees associated with the course/subjects taken, regardless of whether you have passed or failed. See the Debt Recovery policy in the program guidelines.
The cost of the courses through the program are provided below – please take note of the cost associated with courses offered as you will be required to repay the course fees if you are unable to adhere to the program obligations.
Employment and financial obligations:
- If the recipient chooses to withdraw from a unit of study post-census, they will be liable for costs associated with re-enrolment of that unit.
- If the recipient chooses to withdraw from the course entirely, they will be liable for the repayment of costs associated with units already engaged (passed or failed).
- If the recipient voluntarily ceases to be employed by the department while studying or during the 3 years post completion of the course, then the recipient must re-pay the department the course fees paid on their behalf.
- During study or within 3 years post completion, if the recipient/graduate moves into a role that does not support students with a disability or additional learning needs, or that works with schools to strengthen inclusive practices, they will be deemed ineligible and required to repay the funds.
- Changing courses due to a course not meeting your expectations, is not supported by the program. Financial impacts will apply. Please ensure you choose the right course for you and your school.
General recipient obligations:
- Recipients have 4 years to complete their course whilst studying part-time.
- If a recipient changes roles, schools, or chooses to change their enrolment status (defer, intermission, withdraw, etc.), they must contact the Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit for approval.
- Recipients are not able to defer Semester/Trimester 2, 2024 of study as this will render the recipient ineligible.
The average cost of courses available through the program are noted below:
University | Course | Subjects | Avg. Course Cost | Avg. Subject |
| Australian Catholic University | Master of Education (Inclusive Practice) | 8 | $16,837.00 | $2,104.00 |
| Deakin University | Master of Specialist Inclusive Education | 12 | $44,419.00 | $3,612.00 |
| La Trobe University | Master of Education (Inclusion and Diversity) | 8 | $29,900.00 | $3,737.00 |
| NextSense/Macquarie University | Master of Disability Studies | 8 | $27,262.00 | $3,282.00 |
| Monash University | Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis | 8 | $27,916.00 | $3,489.00 |
| Monash University | Master of Inclusive Education | 4 | $26,972.00 | $6,743.00 |
| University of Melbourne | Master of Learning Intervention (Stream A) | 8 | $32,434.00 | $3,898.00 |
| University of Newcastle | Master of Special and Inclusive Education | 8 | $22,369.00 | $2,690.00 |
How to apply
Applicants must discuss their interest in the program with their school principal/manager to clarify alignment with schools’ strategic priorities for inclusive education. Teacher applicants must also ensure they understand practicum requirements and inform their business manager and principal to support strategic forward planning (refer to the guidelines for practicum placement information).
Round 10 application guidelines
Master of Inclusive Education Guidelines - Round 10 (DOCX, 1.2 MB)(opens in a new window)
Master of Inclusive Education Guidelines - Round 10 (PDF, 838 KB)(opens in a new window)
Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis Guidelines - Round 10 (DOCX 1.1 MB)(opens in a new window)
Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis Guidelines - Round 10 (PDF, 723 KB)(opens in a new window)
Successful applicants
The IESU will announce outcomes on Friday 19 April via email and successful applicants will be provided with a ‘provisional place’. If an applicant is successful, they will need to apply through their respective university and meet the admission requirements of their chosen course. To finalise your placement with the department, successful applicants will need to provide the IESU with specific documentation located in their induction pack.
Support available
The support given to recipients includes:
- full tuition fees*
- a contribution towards teacher replacement for practicum**
- allowance of four years to complete the course.
* The department funds full tuition fees associated with all courses on offer. However, if a recipient does not meet the program employment and financial obligations, they will be required to repay fees associated with the course.
**Recipients must refer to practicum requirements in the guidelines, specifically the number of days that require Casual Relief Teaching (CRT) to enable recipients to fulfill their placement obligations. For those seeking to study the Master of Learning Intervention course via the University of Melbourne, the program will contribute up to $10,000.00 towards CRT. However, schools will need to cover 16 days of CRT costs associated with practicum placement. Recipients, please ensure respective principals and business managers are aware and they support the application.
Graduate Stories
Additional post-graduate study opportunities
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) (GCE) is an online postgraduate course developed by the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne.
The 4 subjects in the GCE will develop teachers’ understanding of learning difficulties and interactions between different types of learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Read more on Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties).
Relevant professional learning
Interested in getting a head start in inclusive education?
Refer to:
- Information and resources for supporting students with disabilities, or
- explore the modules in the Inclusive Classrooms Professional Learning catalogue.
Media releases
Useful links
- School-wide positive behaviour support
- Program for students with disabilities
- Victorian Deaf Education Institute
Contact us
The IESU is here to provide support for prospective applicants and those studying through the program. It is important you determine eligibility with the IESU, so please contact a member of the unit between 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday on:
Updated