Regional vs. Metro Victoria: What Kiwi Early Childhood Teachers Need to Know
Thinking of teaching early childhood in Victoria? Here’s what Kiwi teachers need to know about the real differences between working in regional towns and Melbourne – plus the incentives that can make a big move worthwhile.
Why Victoria is calling for ECE teachers
Victoria is rolling out universal funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep programs – and they need teachers. Whether you’re fresh from NZ or have years of experience, there are opportunities across the state in both metro Melbourne and regional communities. The big question: which is right for you?
Metro Victoria: what it’s like in Melbourne
Advantages:
Access to everything: cafes, events, public transport, international airports.
More services for families and support networks.
Opportunities to connect with large ECE communities and professional learning.
Challenges:
Cost of living: Rent in popular suburbs is high (often $500–$700 per week for a two-bedroom).
Competition: More teachers applying for roles in metro services.
Commutes: Traffic can be heavy, even with trams and trains.
Regional Victoria: what it’s like outside Melbourne
Think Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton – or even smaller towns.
Advantages:
Stronger demand: Centres and kindergartens in regional areas often struggle to find teachers.
Lower living costs: Rent can be $300–$500 per week for a similar house.
Community feel: Families and services often have closer relationships with their teachers.
Challenges:
Public transport is limited – a car is usually essential.
Fewer shopping, cultural, and specialist health services.
Weather extremes – hotter summers in the north, colder winters inland.
Higher incentives available for ECE teachers in regional Victoria
Here’s where it gets interesting. To attract teachers into early childhood services outside Melbourne, the Victorian Government offers Early Childhood Teacher Incentives. These can add up to tens of thousands of dollars on top of your normal pay.
1. Individual Incentive
Around AUD $9,000 for qualified ECE teachers moving into eligible kindergarten roles.
Available if you’re not already working in Victoria’s early childhood sector.
2. Location Incentives
Up to AUD $50,000 depending on where the service is.
Higher payments apply to services in harder-to-staff regional and rural locations.
3. Relocation supplement
Extra money if you’re moving more than 100 km for the role.
More support if you bring dependents with you.
What this could mean in real terms
Some Kiwi teachers moving into the right regional service have received a combined package of over AUD $60,000in incentives. That’s on top of your standard teacher salary.
What to ask before signing on
Is this service part of the approved incentive program?
How much is the incentive payment for this specific role?
Is there a minimum time commitment (often two years or more)?
How and when is the payment made (some up-front, some after milestones)?
What relocation support is available?
Cost of living comparison
Metro Melbourne:
Rent: AUD $500–$700/week (two-bedroom).
Childcare for your own children: AUD $120–$150/day.
Regional towns:
Rent: AUD $300–$500/week.
Childcare: AUD $90–$120/day.
Pay scales for ECE teachers are the same across Victoria, so your money stretches further in regional communities.
Practical tips for Kiwi ECE teachers
Start your VIT registration early. You can’t work until you’re registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
Budget for your move. Flights, rental bonds, and shipping can add up – but incentives will ease the load.
Check the school year. Kindergartens and schools start late January – different to NZ.
Join Kiwi networks. Online groups are full of practical advice from those who’ve already made the move.
Visit if you can. Even a short trip helps you compare regional towns versus Melbourne.
Final thoughts
For early childhood teachers from New Zealand, Victoria offers real choice. Melbourne gives you big-city life and a wide professional network. Regional towns can give you a relaxed lifestyle, lower costs, and in many cases, life-changing incentive payments that make the move worthwhile.
Either way, your skills are in demand – and you’ll be making a real impact in children’s lives from day one.
👉 Ready to explore your options? Let’s help you find the right role and make your move to Victoria as smooth as possible.
