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The VIT was established by the Victorian Institute of Teaching Act 2001 in December 2002. The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) [the Act] amalgamated all relevant education and training Acts (including the Victorian Institute of Teaching Act 2001), and was proclaimed 1 July 2007. 
 
Substantial amendments to the legislation came into effect on 1 January 2011, and in 2015 another significant raft of changes was introduced including the introduction of registration of early childhood teachers. Amendments in 2018 added an overarching function that VIT, when performing any regulatory function, must consider the wellbeing and safety of children, including by considering community expectations.  
 
The Act was further amended in March 2021 to clarify VIT’s powers to accredit initial teacher education programs and introduced new powers to endorse ‘pathway programs’* and continuing professional development programs. The amendments also improved VIT’s information sharing powers and legislated that VIT must perform its functions under subsection (1)(c), (ca), (d), (j), (k) and (l) having regard to raising the quality of teaching. The Minister’s general powers were also amended to allow the issuing of policies, guidelines and directions to VIT.   
 
The VIT continues in operation under, and subject to, the Act (as amended).  
 
In the conduct of its regulatory functions, VIT is bound by the Victorian Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act 2001, and therefore must comply with the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) and the Health Privacy Principles (HPPs). These govern the collection, use, handling and disclosure of personal and sensitive information and health information. 
 
* A program or course of study that appropriately prepares individuals for entry into a Victorian accredited ITE program. 

The Act is subject to frequent amendment and the latest version of the Act can be found below.

Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)

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