Principals recruitment drive begins for Victoria’s new schools opening in 2026

By EducationHQ News Team
Published November 1, 2024

The Victorian Government has begun scouring the nation in search of outstanding educators to lead the state’s 19 brand-new schools.

Appointees will be expected to recruit teachers and staff, develop the school’s vision and values, the curriculum and organisational structures, and create an identity for the school through its brand and uniform.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll today announced current and aspiring principals can apply for positions at the new schools, comprising 13 primary, three secondary, two specialist and one P-9, opening in 2026.

“There’s never been a better time to take on the unique and critical role of principal at a Victorian government school, inspiring and supporting students while shaping the future of our state day in, day out,” Carroll said in a statement.

“Each of the 19 schools opening in 2026 presents an exciting opportunity for current and aspiring school principals to lead, backed by the state’s growing teaching workforce.”

The schools, which are known by interim names, are:

Ballarto Road Primary School
Casey Central Primary School
Clyde Creek North Primary School
Clyde Creek North Secondary School
Cobblebank Secondary School
Fishermans Bend Primary School
Horseshoe Bend Primary School
Leneva (Frederic Street Road) Primary School
Lockerbie Secondary School
Lockerbie Specialist School
Mickleham South Primary School
Plumpton Primary School
Point Cook South P–9
Point Cook South Specialist School
Tarneit Plains Primary School
Toolern Waters Primary School
Wallan East Primary School
Warralily Park Primary School
Wollert Andrews Road Primary School

Successful applicants will start their new roles in Term 2 next year, giving them nine months to prepare for the 2026 school year. During this time, it is expected that appointees will recruit teachers and staff, develop the school’s vision and values, the curriculum and organisational structures, and create an identity for the school through its brand and uniform.

Applications to lead the new schools are open via the Department of Education’s Recruitment Online portal, and close on Friday, November 8.

Carroll said the state’s newest principals will have the support they need to thrive in their unique and critical roles, with the Government continuing to grow the teaching workforce, including through a range of initiatives to support the attraction, recruitment and retention of staff.

This includes scholarships to make degrees free, financial incentives for hard to fill roles, and paid placements for people training to be teachers and employment-based degrees.

These initiatives helped to grow the government schools teaching workforce by 1700 teachers over the past year, with further growth expected in 2025.