La Trobe University is committed to making a meaningful change in education by equipping future teachers with classroom-ready skills. Our goal is to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring that participants not only earn their teaching qualifications but also gain hands-on experience in diverse educational settings. By offering extensive support, real-world practice, and professional development opportunities, we aim to prepare our graduates to make a significant impact in schools and provide their students with the quality education they deserve.

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to social justice. We give strong preference to those with undergraduate degrees relevant to areas of the primary or secondary school curriculum such as mathematics, some areas of science, English, teaching English to speakers of other languages and languages.

Here is a list of subjects as reference:

Primary teaching: these may include: Science, Mathematics, Arts (Visual Arts/Drama/Music/Dance/Media Studies), Humanities (Geography, History), Languages, Physical Education/Health, English, IT.

Secondary teaching: students must qualify in either one double (Commerce, Drama, Mathematics, Physical Education and Visual Arts) or two single method- teaching areas from Business Management, Commerce and Business Studies, Drama, English, Health, Humanities, Languages, Mathematics, Media, Outdoor Education, Physical Education, Psychology, Science, SOSE, TESOL, Visual Arts.

Preference is also given to candidates from regional Victoria or New South Wales and opportunities exist for those willing to relocate to rural or regional areas where schools are located. Indigenous candidates and those from diverse cultural backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

We aim to place students in ICSEA <1000 or rural, regional and remote schools. If you are interested in our program, we would like to hear from you.

Please fill out this EOI form if you are from:

• A non public school in NSW
• A Victorian school

***If you are from a Public School in NSW, please email nexus@det.nsw.edu.au directly for more information.

You will need a weighted average mark (WAM) or grade point average (GPA) of >65% in your undergraduate degree to be eligible for consideration.

You will need to be a permanent resident or citizen of Australia to apply for Nexus program.

Nexus students are encouraged to complete the accelerated 18-month Master of Teaching Nexus (Primary or Secondary) but may choose to complete the degree over two years if needed.

The course involves a combination of face-to-face and online learning.

Applications open in August.

• Round 1 Application closes on 30 September
• Round 2 Application closes on 31 October.
• Round 3 Applications will only be considered based on program capacity and demand.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available. To be considered for a timely offer, please submit your application and all required documentation as soon as possible. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Before you apply for Nexus:

Make sure you have your social justice statement ready. The 500-word statement should include information about your background, experience, your passion for social justice and why you want to become a teacher.

Please note: You need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to apply for Nexus.

There are no up-front fees if you are an Australian citizen. All Nexus places are Commonwealth supported (CSP).

Deferral is not possible. Nexus does not allow for part-time study.

All Nexus students are offered part-time employment while they study. In the first year of study, Nexus students are employed as teacher aides in schools, working one day per week in term two and two days per week in terms three and four.

In the second year of study, Nexus students are offered full-time employment as a paraprofessional / on conditional accreditation, paid at the full rate with a 0.8 teaching load and 0.2 set aside for studies/professional development.

In addition to the paid employment, Nexus students receive a Nexus equity scholarship in the form of financial support. Payment will be made fortnightly into the student’s nominated bank account.

Payments are subject to personal income tax and will cease if a candidate discontinues the Nexus program for any reason. No separate applications are necessary as the financial support is part of the Nexus program.

Each Nexus student will receive their equity scholarship in their first year (paid in fortnightly payments) while working in schools. The first payment for your first year of candidature will be made in the first term of your work in schools and the last payment at the end of the final term of your ES/SLSO work.

Graduates are more likely to stay in the teaching profession and often work in Nexus partner schools, ensuring a positive impact on their career and the communities they serve. 94% of graduates from the 2020–2022 Nexus cohorts were employed as teachers within one year of completing the program. For the 2023 cohort, 100% alumni respondents remain actively employed as teachers.

In some rare cases, candidates’ discipline specialisations cannot be matched with school needs in the immediate surroundings. This is less likely in regional and rural areas, as good teachers in many subject areas are highly sought after.

If you are happy to relocate, please inform us in your written statement as part of the application process.

The La Trobe Admissions team, in partnership with the Nexus team, will assess your application and determine initial eligibility.

Applicants who are not eligible may receive an alternative offer, while eligible applicants will receive a Conditional Offer for Nexus and enter a second phase in which Nexus school matching can commence. Not all eligible applicants will be matched with schools, as Nexus is a competitive, employment-based program. Please note that this matching phase takes time - it is normal to have to wait 3-6 weeks to hear more.

School matching may include a short phone interview with a La Trobe Nexus team member, pitching to schools (handled by the Nexus team), and for some candidates, an in-person interview at a Nexus school. Ultimately, our Nexus partner schools determine entry to the program based on a candidate's performance at the interview.

Applications open in August – October.

• Round 1 Application closes on 30 September
• Round 2 Application closes on 31 October.
• Round 3 Applications will only be considered based on program capacity and demand.

Step 1: Applications open in August.

• Round 1 Applications close on 30 September
• Round 2 Applications close on 31 October.
• Round 3 Applications will only be considered based on program capacity and demand.

Step 2: Nexus School Matching Round (Sep – Nov)

Please note:

• There are limited places in the Nexus program. It is a highly competitive program
• Subsequent offer rounds will only open if places are not filled in the first two rounds
• To be considered for a timely offer, please submit your application and all required documentation as soon as possible
• Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and their entire academic record
• Incomplete applications will not be ranked
• Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites does not guarantee selection
• Please refer to course webpages for further course information

Victoria

New South Wales

Students are allowed to undertake other part-time work, with an awareness that course demand and Nexus employment-based components should be prioritised.

All placements in Victoria occur in a Nexus school. For NSW, your first and final placement will be in your Nexus school. The second placement will be in an alternate educational setting.

You must complete 60 days of teaching placement as part of the program. Placements begin in Semester 1 of Year 1 and are structured as follows:

• Year 1, Sem 1: 15-day novice placement
• Year 1, Sem 2: 20-day consolidating placement
• Year 2: 25-day graduate placement

**NSW placements may vary

If your application is successful, we will aim to match you to a school within a one-hour commute from your home address.

In addition to the usual feedback and complaints procedure, both successful and unsuccessful students can voice their concerns about Nexus directly with the Department of Education.

Department of Education
GPO Box 9880
Canberra, ACT, 2601

Nexus Undergraduate (UG) is an employment-based pathway offered by La Trobe University, designed for Educational Support (ES) staff and Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESO) to study teaching.

Successful candidates are supported by La Trobe’s team of mentors and subject coordinators, have access to online tutorials, receive a Department of Education scholarship, and benefit from one day of paid study leave each week.

You’ll be part of La Trobe’s nationally recognised and accredited teacher education program, which is a leader in the field. The course emphasises practical knowledge and research-informed skills, including how the brain functions during learning, effective teaching strategies, and classroom management practices that promote social equity.

The program is specifically designed for current Educational Support (ES) staff and Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESO) employed in Victorian government secondary or specialist schools only.

If you are interested in our program, we would like to hear from you.

Please fill out this EOI form if you are from:

• A Victorian government secondary or special education school

All undergraduate (Year 12 & Non-Year 12):

Selection Process

1. Applicants must have experience as an Education Support Officer role or Koorie Education Support Officer. Students will be required to provide evidence of a minimum of 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience within the industry.
2. Applicants need to provide a Principal's endorsement from a school in which you are currently or have previously been an Education Support Officer or Koorie Education Support Officer.
   Fill out the Principal Endorsement Form (refer to the selection criteria) and submit it to the Department of Education as part of your application.
3. Applicants will complete and submit a Personal Social Justice commitment statement in support of their application.

Additional Information Template

Complete the Nexus UG Additional Information Template (refer to the selection criteria) and submit it along with your application to La Trobe University.

Academic Requirements:

Recent secondary education - VTAC prerequisite:

Year 12 English prerequisite (20): Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.

If you do not satisfy the above academic requirements, you may complete the STAT multiple choice if you:

• are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
• have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
• do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

Refer to the La Trobe University STAT page for further information.

You will need to be a permanent resident or citizen of Australia to apply for Nexus program.

The coursework is completed online.

This program is a four-year, full-time course. Full-time study involves completing four subjects each 12-week semester. With two semesters per year, this amounts to 24 weeks of study annually.

The Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) duration is one year of full-time study.

Upon successful completion, students who have maintained a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 or above (equivalent to a 60% average grade), and successfully completed the AFTA may progress to Year 2 of the Bachelor of Education (Nexus).

To complete the Bachelor of Education (Nexus) takes an additional three years of full-time study.

Applications open in August.

• Round 1 Applications close on 30 September
• Round 2 Applications close on 31 October
• Round 3 Applications will only be considered based on program capacity and demand.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection, and there may be limited places available. To be considered for a timely offer, please submit your application and all required documentation as soon as possible. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants must:

• Have a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience as an Education Support Officer or Koorie Education Support Officer.
• Have Principal's endorsement from a Victorian government secondary or specialist school where they are currently in such a role. This includes a commitment to provide the applicant with 1 day/week study leave throughout the program.
• Complete and submit a Personal Social Justice commitment statement and the Nexus Undergraduate Additional Information Template.

There are no up-front fees if you are an Australian citizen. All Nexus places are Commonwealth supported (CSP).

Deferral is not possible. Nexus does not allow for part-time study.

While Nexus Undergraduate students receive one day of paid study leave each week, they often need to dedicate additional time — such as evenings or weekends — to stay on top of their coursework.

The good news is that school holidays typically fall mid-semester, offering some extra time for study. Additionally, the academic year includes 26 weeks without study requirements, providing a more balanced overall schedule.

The Department of Education provides every Nexus UG student with a $30,000 scholarship, with Indigenous students receiving an additional $30,000. The scholarship is paid in fortnightly instalments over the four-year duration of the program, aligned with your regular pay cycle.

As the payments are processed through EDUpay, they are subject to taxation. The first instalment is typically paid shortly after the university census date, once your place in the program is confirmed — usually by early April.

As this is a new course offering, data will become available in future intakes.

Your application will be assessed by La Trobe’s Admissions team in consultation with the Victorian Department of Education. Successful applicants will receive an offer from the Admissions team.

To apply for the Nexus Undergraduate program, you must submit an application for the Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus). Domestic students applying for courses commencing in 2026 should apply via Apply Direct, with applications opening in August 2025.

This program is only available to ES and KESO applicants currently working in Victorian government secondary and specialist schools. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, a Principal's endorsement form submitted to the Department of Education, a Personal Social Justice commitment statement, and the Nexus Undergraduate Additional Information Template.

Always check the course page for the most current application information.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following La Trobe University webpages:

• Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) Overview
• Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) Entry Requirements
• Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) What You Will Study
• Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) Fees
• Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) How to Apply

Applications open in August

• Round 1 Applications close on 30 September
• Round 2 Applications close on 31 October.
• Round 3 Applications will only be considered based on program capacity and demand.

Please note:

• There are limited places in the Nexus program. It is a highly competitive program
• Subsequent offer rounds will only open if places are not filled in the first two rounds
• To be considered for a timely offer, please submit your application and all required documentation as soon as possible
• Please refer to course webpage for further course information: Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus)

Nexus UG candidates commence in the Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus) for their first year of full-time study, before transitioning to year two of the Bachelor of Education (Nexus) Secondary major to complete their teaching qualification.

Each subject includes a two-hour tutorial per week and requires an additional 4–6 hours of independent study. Taking four subjects per semester means the study load during university terms can be quite high.

To support students enrolled in the Diploma of Teacher Education (Nexus), the Department of Education's employment agreement includes 1 day of paid study day per week throughout the duration of the course. The paid study day continues when students successfully transfer to the Bachelor of Education (Nexus).

All placements can be completed at your employing school, with the exception of the 4-week placement in Year 3. This particular placement must be undertaken at a different school in a different setting.

For example, if you are employed at a secondary school, you must complete this placement in a specialist school. Conversely, if you work in a specialist school, the placement must be completed in a secondary school.

You must complete 80 days of teaching placement as part of the program. Placements begin in Semester 1 of Year 2 and are structured as follows:

• Year 2: Two 2-week novice placement
• Year 3: One 3-week and one 4-week consolidating placement
• Year 4: One 5-week graduate placement

In addition to the usual feedback and complaints procedure, both successful and unsuccessful students can voice their concerns about Nexus directly with the Department of Education.

Department of Education
GPO Box 9880
Canberra, ACT, 2601
Phone: 1300 566 046
Website: https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/online-contact-form