Nexus program
On top of your Nexus salary, receive up to $14,900 in financial support
As a first-of-its-kind employment-based pathway into Secondary teaching, Nexus prepares, mentors and graduates selected teaching candidates for economically and culturally diverse, and hard-to-staff schools in Melbourne, regional and rural Victoria.
As a Nexus student, you will receive all of the benefits of our Master of Teaching (Secondary) plus:
- a Commonwealth supported place
- part-time payment at teacher aide rates in your first year
- full-time employment with 0.8 teaching load in the school as a paraprofessional with Permission to Teach in your second year of study before you graduate
- employment support at graduation
- placement in a selected State Secondary school in regional or metropolitan Victoria
- a close Community of Practice including Nexus support, school mentors and community engagement
- a unique cohort experience with other past and present Nexus teachers
- additional opportunities for professional development in social justice areas and for two years as a beginning teacher
- a blend of block study during intensives and highly mentored external study.
Application process
In addition to the entry requirements for the Master of Teaching, Nexus teachers must submit a written statement and, if selected, attend an interview.
The purpose of these additional requirements is to learn more about your background, experience and aspiration to become a Secondary teacher in an economically and culturally diverse, and hard-to-staff school in Melbourne, regional or rural Victoria.
Your application will be considered against the following criteria, which may include:
- demonstrated passion for social justice
- previous university degree with good results
- culturally diverse background. Indigenous applicants, those from non-English speaking backgrounds, with disabilities, or from rural communities are strongly encouraged to apply
- knowledge in high needs areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, other discipline specialisations are also considered.
- strong interpersonal skills, resilience and commitment to become a high quality Secondary teacher in Victoria
- undergraduate degree in a discipline other than teaching. This is a non-negotiable condition
- permanent residency or citizenship of Australia. This is a non-negotiable condition.
Contact us to find out more about the application requirements.
How to apply
To apply for Nexus as part of the Master of Teaching (Secondary):
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Apply for the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Nexus at any of La Trobe’s campuses. Please note that you may be based at regional locations across Victoria with some travel.
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Download and complete the written statement and save it to your device.
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Upload the completed written statement to nexusapplications@latrobe.edu.au. Enrolments open in early August.
Before submitting please ensure you meet the following requirements: You are an Australian Citizen/Permenant Resident, You have applied for the Master of Teaching (Secondary), You have filled in the Nexus written statement.
Feedback and complaints
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
Frequently asked questions
Nexus is delivered by La Trobe University as part of the High Achieving Teachers Program with the support of the Department of Education. La Trobe University also acknowledges the support of the Victorian Department of Education.
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to social justice. We give strong preference to those with undergraduate degrees for methods or teaching areas such as mathematics, some areas of science, technology studies, English, teaching English to speakers of other languages and languages.
Preference is also given to candidates from regional Victoria and amazing opportunities exist for those willing to relocate to schools in rural or regional locations. Indigenous candidates and those from diverse cultural backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
You will need a weighted average mark (WAM) or grade point average (GPA) of >65% in your undergraduate degree to be eligible for consideration.
Nexus students can enrol in either the 18 month (1.5 year accelerated) or two-year Master of Teaching (Secondary). Find out more.
The course involves a combination of face-to-face and online learning. Nexus students commit to attending two Nexus intensives in their first year and fortnightly online workshops. This will require travel to Melbourne or Bendigo pending travel restrictions. All expenses are paid, including travel, accommodation and a small daily living allowance. There is another intensive in the second year prior to graduation.
There is only one intake. Nexus begins with a one-week intensive in Melbourne in mid-February prior to the semester starting. Students must be able to attend the intensive program.
There are no up-front fees if you are an Australian citizen. This is the same as the Master of Teaching. All Nexus places are Commonwealth supported (CSP). Please check whether you are eligible.
The financial support consists of a $12,500 equity scholarship and a $2,400 stipend.
No separate applications are necessary as both equity scholarship and stipend are attached to each Nexus place.
Scholarship payment schedule:
Nexus candidates will receive $9,900 in total in their first year (paid in fortnightly instalments) while they are working in schools.
A final lump sum payment of $2,600 is made when candidates complete the Nexus program and are a provisionally registered teacher within the 2-year maximum timeframe since commencement of studies.
Stipend payment schedule:
Nexus candidates will receive a $2,400 stipend during the school summer break in their first year.
Payments are subject to personal income tax and will cease if a candidate discontinues the Nexus program for any reason.
Deferral is not possible. Nexus does not allow for part-time study.
Nexus students are offered part-time employment while they study (one day a week at Education Support Class Employee salary in term two, and two days a week at Education Support Class Employee salary in terms three and four).
Full-time employment as a paraprofessional (teaching your
own class) is offered in the second year of study. Students are paid the full rate while teaching 0.8 with 0.2 for studies/professional development.
We understand that the pay for the first year does not cover living expenses. Some students undertake other part-time work, with an awareness that this is a demanding course.
In some cases, candidates’ discipline specialisations cannot be matched with school needs in the immediate surroundings. This is less likely in regional and rural Victoria, as good teachers in many subject areas are highly sought after. If you agree to relocate, please inform us in your written statement. There may be some support available for participants who relocate.
We advise potential candidates to submit their application as soon as possible after the Master of Teaching (Secondary) opens in early August, so that we can match candidates’ discipline specialisations with school needs. We assess applications and contact potential candidates from early August to mid-January.
The Nexus team will assess your application and determine if you match the needs of Nexus Secondary schools. If you are eligible, you will be invited to a face-to-face or Zoom interview with the Nexus team from La Trobe and an attending Principal. Please note that the matching process can take time.
Only successful candidates will be notified. We assess applications and contact potential candidates from early August to mid-January. If you are not accepted for the Nexus program your application for the mainstream Master of Teaching (Secondary) will remain active.