Music in Schools

Apply for Music in Schools, a funded professional learning and mentoring program supporting Victorian primary schools to deliver quality music education.

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Applications: Expression of Interest are now open for the Music in Schools 2027 program. Learn more about the program, eligibility criteria and application process below.

Mentors: To express interest in becoming a mentor in the Music in Schools 2027 program, interested teachers can complete the Mentor Expression of Interest form. Learn more about the mentoring role, requirements and expectations below.

About Music in Schools

Music in Schools (MiS) is a one-year Department of Education funded music professional learning and mentoring program.

MiS aims to support 40 schools each year to deliver a quality curriculum-aligned music education program from Foundation to Level 6.

MiS supports nominated music specialists with limited music education or no classroom music experience or qualifications.

MiS reflects Victoria's commitment to fostering comprehensive music education, enhancing teacher capabilities, and enriching students' learning experiences through music.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the program, schools must:

  • be a Victorian government primary school. This includes Prep to 9, Prep to 12, and special schools
  • need support to strengthen or expand an existing music program OR currently not delivering a music program for students in Prep to Year 6
  • nominate a specialist teacher with limited experience or no qualifications in music education, or a generalist teacher who teaches music education
  • have not previously participated in MiS
  • deliver a classroom music program in Terms 2 and 3, 2027.

Participating schools receive

Participating schools receive:

  • 1-day music professional learning (PL), Melbourne (19 February 2027)
  • 5 x full-day school-based (or online) music mentoring sessions (Terms 2 and 3)
  • 1 x observation day of music classes in a mentor's school (Term 1)
  • 1 x in-school planning day with mentor in mentee’s school (Term 2)
  • 1 x face-to-face music PL day, Melbourne (Term 4)
  • 5 x online after-school music education PL sessions, 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm (throughout 2027)
  • $4,000 grant to purchase instruments and resources to support music classroom program delivery
  • 4 days Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) funding for the participating teacher to attend professional learning days and program activities.

Participating schools that cannot have a local mentor will receive 5 x 1-hour online mentoring sessions across Terms 2 and 3. They will also have 1 observation session of music teaching in practice.

Application process

Places in MiS are limited to 40 Victorian government primary schools in 2027.

To apply, schools must complete an Expression of Interest(opens in a new window) form.

Applications close at 5 pm on Friday 13 November 2026.

The department will inform schools about the outcome of their application and the next steps before the end of Term 4, 2026.

Contact

For more information about MiS, contact Ngaire Leighton via:

Music mentor opportunity

Experienced music teachers can express interest in becoming a music teacher mentor in the 2027 MiS program.

Mentors will receive training and professional learning. They will also receive ongoing support and will be paid for their time through CRT funding or equivalent payment.

What is a music mentor?

A music mentor is an experienced music teacher who works alongside a beginning teacher or less experienced colleague.

Music mentors will:

  • share expertise and passion for music education with teachers new to teaching music or with limited experience
  • collaborate with mentees to develop engaging music lessons, sequences, and assessments that align with the Foundation to Level 6 achievement standards
  • model best practices in music curriculum planning, pedagogy and classroom management, assessment and reporting
  • provide ongoing support, feedback, and encouragement to help mentees build their confidence and skills.

Eligibility to mentor

Mentors can be employed in government, Catholic, or independent schools and must:

  • hold current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration
  • have at least 3 years’ experience teaching music in a Victorian primary school
  • attend the 2-day national mentor conference in Melbourne in March 2027
  • have their principal's endorsement to participate (if currently employed in a school).

Mentoring requirements

Mentors need to make a commitment of 10 days throughout 2027 including:

  • 2-day national mentor conference in Melbourne, March 2027
  • 1-day planning in the mentee’s school Term 2
  • 2 days mentoring in Term 2
  • 3 days mentoring in Term 3
  • 2 days MiS PL (Term 1 & Term 4)
  • recording of mentoring work undertaken and sharing evidence of practice
  • optional online attendance/watching online teacher PL sessions across terms

* An online mentoring option is available for rural, regional and remote schools.

Remuneration

Remuneration comprises CRT funding to release a teacher for mentoring or funding (at CRT rate) for working hours.

Mentors will be remunerated for 10 days in total through 2027 for face-to-face mentoring and program activities (or 6.5 days for online mentoring, this includes 5 days of PL and program activities).

Application process

To express interest in becoming a mentor in MiS, interested teachers should complete the Mentor Expression of Interest form.

Contact

For more information about music mentoring, contact Ngaire Leighton via:

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