About Music in Schools
Music in Schools (MiS) is a one-year Department of Education (department) funded music mentoring program.
MiS aims to support 40 schools each year to deliver a quality curriculum-aligned music education program from Foundation to Level 6.
MiS is targeted to support nominated music specialists with limited music or no classroom music experience or qualifications.
MiS reflects Victoria's commitment to fostering comprehensive music education, enhancing teacher capabilities, and enriching students' learning experiences through music.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the program, schools must:
- be a Victorian government primary school, this includes Prep to 9, Prep to 12, and special schools
- need support to strengthen/expand an existing music program OR not currently delivering a music program for students in Prep to Year 6
- nominate specialist teachers with limited experience or no qualifications in music education or generalist teachers delivering music education
- have not previously participated in MiS
- be prepared to deliver a classroom music program in Terms 2 and 3, 2026.
What do participating schools receive?
Participating schools receive:
- 2-day music professional learning (PL) residential, Melbourne (19 and 20 March 2026)
- 5 x full-day school-based (or online) music mentoring sessions (Terms 2 and 3)
- 1 x observation day of music classes in a mentor's school (Term 1)
- 1 x face-to-face music PL day, Melbourne (Term 4)
- access to 5 x online after-school music related PL sessions, 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm (throughout 2026) which are also recorded
- a $4,000 grant to purchase instruments and resources to support music classroom program delivery
- access to department-curated music teaching and learning resources
- 4 days Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) funding per participating teacher to attend off-site residentials and PL days.
Participating schools who are unable to have a local mentor will receive 5 x 1 hour 1-on-1 mentoring sessions across Terms 2 and 3 and 1 observation session of music teaching in practice.
Application process
Places in MiS are limited to 40 Victorian government primary schools in 2026.
To apply, schools must complete an Expression of Interest form.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 21 November 2025.
The department will notify schools about the outcome of their application and next steps before the end of Term 4, 2025.
Contact
For more information about MiS, contact Ngaire Leighton via:
- phone: 03 7022 2410
- email: music.education@education.vic.gov.au
Music mentor opportunity
Experienced specialists can express interest in participating as a music teacher mentor in the 2026 MiS program.
Mentor teachers will receive training, PL and ongoing support and will be remunerated for their time through CRT funding or equivalent payment.
What is a music mentor?
A mentor is an experienced music teacher who works alongside a beginning teacher or less experienced colleague.
Music mentors will:
- share expertise and passion for music education with teachers new to teaching music or with limited experience
- collaborate with mentees to develop engaging music lessons, sequences, and assessments aligned with the Foundation to Level achievement standards
- model best practices in music curriculum planning, pedagogy and classroom management, assessment and reporting
- provide ongoing support, feedback, and encouragement to help mentees grow in confidence and skills.
Eligibility to mentor
Mentors can be employed in Government, Catholic, or Independent schools and must:
- hold current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration
- have at least 3 years’ experience teaching music in a Victorian primary school
- have their principal's endorsement to participate (if currently employed in a school).
Mentoring requirements
Mentors need to make a commitment of 8 days throughout 2026 for:
- a 2-day music PL residential in Melbourne, Term 1, 2026
- 2x full days of mentoring at a mentee’s school in Term 2* (or 3x 1 hour mentoring calls if mentoring online)
- 3 x full days of mentoring at a mentee’s school in Term 3* (or 3x 1 hour mentoring calls if mentoring online)
- 1-day end-of-year PL and end of program celebration (Term 4, 2026)
- recording of mentoring work undertaken and sharing evidence of practice
- optional online attendance/watching online teacher PL sessions across terms 2-4.
Remuneration
Renumeration comprises CRT funding to release a teacher for mentoring or funding (at CRT rate) for working hours.
Mentors will be renumerated for 8 days in total through 2026 for face-to-face mentoring (or 4.5 days for online mentoring).
Application process
To express interest in becoming a mentor in MiS, interested teachers should complete the Mentor Expression of Interest form.
Contact
For more information about music mentoring, contact Ngaire Leighton via:
- phone: 03 7022 2410
- email: music.education@education.vic.gov.au
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