Secondary Years 9–12 (VCE) education programmes in Australia are structured qualifications designed to prepare students for senior secondary success, tertiary admission, and adult life. The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the official senior secondary qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in Victoria, though the broader category of Years 9–12 secondary education encompasses the foundational years (9 and 10) that prepare students to enter VCE studies. The VCE itself covers a broad curriculum spanning English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, Technology, and Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, culminating in an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) that determines university and TAFE entry. The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) is an integrated applied learning pathway within the VCE for students who prefer hands-on, work-ready learning over the traditional academic stream.

This qualification is designed for all secondary students in Victoria, but tertiary education programmes that train people to teach at this level — such as the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) — are aimed at individuals who wish to work as secondary educators, curriculum designers, educational leaders, or student welfare professionals. Graduates of teacher education programmes specialising in Years 9–12 are qualified to teach across government, Catholic, and independent schools, as well as TAFE institutions. Employers include state and territory Departments of Education, Catholic Education Offices, independent school networks, tutoring companies, curriculum authorities, and education-focused government agencies.

The curriculum for Years 9–12 includes over 90 VCE study options, with core requirements in English and elective studies spanning Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Health and Physical Education, Languages, and Technologies. Students are assessed through School Assessed Coursework (SACs), School Assessed Tasks (SATs), and end-of-year external examinations set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). The VCE is internationally recognised and provides entry to universities globally, making it a highly valued qualification for students and a significant area of educational specialisation for prospective teachers.

For undergraduate teacher education programmes (Bachelor of Education – Secondary), applicants typically need to have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification or its equivalent, with an ATAR generally ranging from the mid-50s to low 70s depending on the institution and teaching area specialisation. Some programmes require specific Year 12 subject prerequisites — for instance, Mathematics Education majors often require prior study in Mathematics Methods, and Science majors may require prior study in relevant science subjects. Applicants without a recent ATAR may be considered based on TAFE/VET qualifications, prior higher education results, work and life experience, or by sitting the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). All applicants must also pass a non-academic attributes assessment — commonly a Teaching Capabilities Statement or the CASPer online assessment — which evaluates motivation to teach, interpersonal and communication skills, resilience, and professional suitability.

All students enrolled in initial teacher education (ITE) programmes must pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) prior to graduation. LANTITE is a national instrument designed to ensure ITE graduates are in the top 30% of the population for literacy and numeracy skills. In addition, all students must complete a minimum of 80 days of supervised professional experience (teaching placement) in Australian school settings before graduating, with some programmes offering significantly more placement hours — up to 103 days or 640 hours. Students must also satisfy Working With Children Check requirements in their state or territory, and graduates must register with the relevant state teacher registration authority (e.g. the Victorian Institute of Teaching, the NSW Education Standards Authority, or the Queensland College of Teachers) before commencing paid employment in schools.

For postgraduate entry (Master of Teaching or Graduate Diploma), applicants must hold an approved undergraduate degree from a recognised institution. English language proficiency requirements for international students are typically high — for example, some programmes require an IELTS overall score of 7.5 with specific component minimums — reflecting the communication demands of the teaching profession. Career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in a subject area relevant to the school curriculum are particularly well-positioned for postgraduate teacher education entry.