Authorised by the Victorian Government
An Auckland early childhood teacher shares how Victoria’s financial incentives, relocation support and improved career opportunities helped make her family’s move to Australia a reality.
For many New Zealand early childhood teachers, the idea of moving to Australia is appealing. Better pay, strong demand for qualified teachers, and new career opportunities can make Victoria an attractive destination.
However, relocating internationally can be expensive, particularly for families.
For Carlene, an early childhood teacher from Auckland, financial support from the Victorian Government played an important role in making the move possible. Through Victoria’s Early Childhood Teacher Incentives program, she received a total of AUD $17,000 in support, including a $9,000 individual incentive and the maximum $8,000 relocation supplement.
For a family of six, that financial assistance helped ease the costs of relocating from New Zealand to Victoria and establishing a new life in Australia.
Now, after nearly two years living and working in Melbourne, Carlene says the move has delivered more than financial benefits.
“I’ve learnt more here than I ever expected.”
Her story provides an honest insight into the opportunities, challenges, and support available to New Zealand early childhood teachers considering a move to Victoria.
Why Victoria Is Investing in Early Childhood Teachers
For New Zealand teachers considering a move to Victoria, financial incentives are only part of the picture. The Victorian Government has also announced a significant package of workforce reforms designed to strengthen the early childhood sector and improve career opportunities for educators and teachers.
These reforms include a commitment to supporting pay parity with Victorian government school teachers for early childhood teachers, alongside an average proposed pay increase of around 39 per cent over four years for educators. Additional changes may include removing barriers to wage progression, introducing new leadership allowances, and aligning leave provisions with government schools.
The Move Started With Research
Before relocating, she took time researching Victoria’s early childhood teacher incentives, registration requirements, and employment opportunities.
Like many Kiwi teachers, she initially explored the move cautiously before fully committing.
I went through all the applications and requirements before I seriously thought about relocating.
The process itself was comprehensive, particularly gathering documents and navigating all the requirements from New Zealand. But once approved, she quickly secured a teaching role in Melbourne close to extended family.
With a teaching position secured, family support nearby, and financial assistance available to help with the transition, the family felt confident taking the next step
In July 2024, the family officially made the move from Auckland to Melbourne’s southeast.
“The Centres Here Operate Differently”
Like many New Zealand educators, she initially assumed early childhood centres in Australia would feel very similar.
Instead, she discovered Victoria’s sector operates quite differently — especially around staffing structures, systems, compliance, and programming responsibilities.
One of the biggest adjustments was understanding the distinction between early childhood teachers (ECTs) and educators.
Unlike in New Zealand, where teams often hold similar qualifications, Victorian early childhood centres distinguish between ECTs, who are degree-qualified, and educators, who typically hold certificate or diploma-level qualifications.
I just assumed everyone working in the centre had the same qualifications because that’s what I was used to in New Zealand.
Instead, she found herself leading programmes and rooms much more independently than expected.
While the transition initially felt overwhelming, she says the Victorian system ultimately helped her become a far stronger and more confident teacher.
Melbourne Centres Helped Her Grow Professionally
One of the most positive parts of her experience has been the professional development she gained working in Melbourne centres.
It’s taught me a lot — not so much in my actual teaching, but in how to run programmes better and more efficiently.
She spoke highly of the systems, structures, and operational processes she’s been exposed to in Victoria, saying they’ve given her a much deeper understanding of how centres function behind the scenes.
Australia’s strong focus on policies and procedures, documentation, compliance, health and safety, programming systems, and team structures played a significant part in her professional growth.
Australia does those things really well.
Importantly, she says supportive colleagues made a huge difference.
One experienced Victorian ECT in particular helped guide her through the transition and explained how different centres operate across Melbourne.
Early Childhood Teaching in Melbourne Isn’t Easier — But It Can Be Rewarding
One thing she was very honest about is that teaching in Melbourne isn’t necessarily “easier” than in New Zealand.
The expectations can be high.
But for teachers willing to adapt, she believes the experience can be incredibly valuable professionally.
I thought I already knew quite a lot, but this experience has taught me so much.
She says many Victorian centres provide opportunities for teachers to take ownership of programmes, develop leadership skills, and build confidence in ways that can accelerate career growth.
And financially, the move has also been significant.
The pay difference has been huge for our family.
Early childhood teachers from New Zealand who make the move to Victoria can take advantage of the Early Childhood Teacher Incentives program – making the transition more financially appealing.
Eligible teachers who are not currently working in Victoria’s early childhood sector may receive an individual incentive of AUD $9,000 (before tax) when they take up a role at a service delivering, or planning to deliver, a funded kindergarten program.
On top of this, location-based incentives of up to AUD $50,000 (before tax) are available for roles in areas experiencing the greatest demand for qualified teachers. If you meet the eligibility criteria for both the individual and location incentives, you may be able to receive both payments.
Finally, the Victorian Government also offers a relocation supplement of between AUD$1,000 and $8,000, helping to offset the cost of moving, depending on your individual circumstances. Further information is available at Financial support to study and work in early childhood | vic.gov.au.
A Better Balance for Her Family
Beyond work, the move also created positive changes for their family life.
After initially staying with relatives, the family secured a rental property and settled into a rhythm that now works well for both parents and their four children.
The children adjusted well to Victorian schools, and she says the opportunities available through public schools have impressed her.
They’re doing swimming lessons, excursions, sports — there’s just so much available.
Combined with improved finances, the family now feels able to enjoy life more fully without the same financial pressure they experienced in New Zealand.
Her Advice for Other Kiwi Teachers
While she’s incredibly positive about the move overall, she also stresses the importance of realistic expectations.
Moving countries, adjusting to different centre structures, and learning new systems takes flexibility, patience, and support.
But for teachers willing to embrace change? She believes Melbourne can offer incredible opportunities both personally and professionally.
If you’re open to it, I think you’ll enjoy the move.
Thinking About Teaching in Melbourne?
For Kiwi early childhood teachers considering Australia, Melbourne continues to be one of the most popular destinations — particularly for teachers wanting:
- Improved pay
- Career growth
- Leadership opportunities
- Professional development
- Family support networks
- Better work opportunities for partners
- Access to Victorian teacher incentives
And while every experience is different, stories like this show that for many Kiwi teachers, the move can become far more than just a financial decision.
It can become a professional turning point.
Find Out More
If you’re a New Zealand-trained kindergarten teacher considering a move to Victoria, there is a range of support and information available to help you understand registration, employment pathways, and what to expect when working in the Victorian kindergarten system.
To find out more about opportunities to work in Victorian kindergartens, including registration requirements and workforce initiatives such as financial incentives and relocation support, visit Teach kindergarten in Victoria, Australia: a guide for international teachers | vic.gov.au and explore the kindergarten workforce information available for overseas-trained teachers.
The department also works with a panel of expert early childhood recruitment agencies, so you can contact one of the agencies or register your interest to connect with a recruiter.
You can also find practical guidance, real-life case studies, and step-by-step resources here on Moving to Australia that will help you plan your move with confidence.
You can also read our original teacher story here: One Kindergarten Teacher’s Journey to Victoria.
