A review of data from two sources reveals multiple trends regarding teacher movements between Australian states and New Zealand, as well as broader professional registration patterns under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA).
Interstate Teacher Movement in Australia
According to data from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), Victoria has experienced a net loss of Australian-qualified teachers to other states. Between 2023 and the present, 5,746 Victorian-registered teachers transferred their qualifications to work interstate, while 3,692 interstate teachers registered in Victoria, resulting in a net loss of 2,054 teachers.
In 2025 alone, over 600 Victorian teachers moved to New South Wales (NSW), and 419 moved to Queensland. Salary differentials are cited as a factor: graduate teachers in NSW earn up to $15,000 more per year than those in Victoria, and Queensland offers approximately $11,000 more.
In 2025 alone, over 600 Victorian teachers moved to New South Wales (NSW).
New Zealand Teacher Registration in Victoria
In the same period, 1,732 New Zealand teachers gained registration in Victoria. This exceeds the number of Victorian teachers moving to New Zealand. Australian Principals Federation president Andrew Cock stated that New Zealand teachers are helping fill gaps, particularly in rural and regional areas.
VIT CEO Martin Fletcher acknowledged qualification discrepancies between the two countries. New Zealand requires three-year teaching degrees or one-year postgraduate diplomas, while most Australian states require four-year degrees or two-year postgraduate diplomas. Fletcher stated he is working with New Zealand counterparts to address this.
Victorian Government Response
The Victorian government proposed a 28-32% pay increase over four years to retain teachers. The proposal faces opposition from Australian Education Union members, who are seeking a 35% increase over three years and improved working conditions.
A Victorian government spokesperson stated the state added 4,700 staff to state schools between 2024 and 2025, and there are 14,000 more registered teachers compared to 2020. Education Minister Ben Carroll emphasized the proposed agreement would make Victorian teachers the best paid in the country.
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement Overview
The TTMRA allows professionals registered in New Zealand to automatically apply for equivalent jobs in Australia. Data indicates that for several professions, three times as many overseas workers are registered via New Zealand than through direct applications from the rest of the world combined.
Professional Registration Trends
- Teachers: The number of teachers registering in New Zealand and then transferring to Victoria has increased from 196 to 520 over three years. The Victorian Institute of Teaching is reportedly engaging with New Zealand authorities on qualification standards.
- Nurses: Registrations for internationally qualified nurses via TTMRA increased from 1,268 to 12,037 over four years. Nine out of ten New Zealand-registered nurses arriving in Australia last year did not train in New Zealand. The Nursing Council of New Zealand has acknowledged the country is a "stepping stone" for these professionals.
- Building Surveyors: Victoria requires a degree and statutory registration; New Zealand does not mandate a degree or registration for licensed building practitioners.
- Other Health Professions: Over 80% of overseas-trained Chinese medicine practitioners registered in Australia over the past two years came via New Zealand. Of 103 paramedics registered in Australia during the same period, 90 used TTMRA transfers. Double the number of overseas-trained physiotherapists registered via New Zealand compared to direct applications.
- Trades and Aviation: The number of builders, plumbers, aircraft engineers, commercial aircraft pilots, and flight instructors registering via New Zealand has increased in recent years.
Concerns Regarding Standards
Adjunct Professor Kim Lovegrove, chair of the International Building Quality Centre, stated that mutual recognition should support competence, not circumvent standards. He advocates for nationally agreed and consistently applied minimum qualification and experience criteria.