Undergraduate FAQs

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.

Please note:

Funding provided under the Nexus program - these payments are contingent on participation in, and continuation of, the Nexus program and associated school placement. Payments will cease if a candidate discontinues the program for any reason.

As individual tax circumstances vary, recipients should obtain independent tax advice regarding their personal situation.

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