The Victorian Government has announced a new initiative to help launch or revitalise the teaching careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Aspiring Koorie Teachers Now (AKT Now) initiative will allow Indigenous teaching students to register to participate in the program and complete education qualifications while they work in Victorian government schools.

The $13.6 million program, launched by education minister Ben Carroll, is aiming to attract and retain new and returning First Nations people through VET and higher education, with participants gaining qualifications through a vocational pathway in Certificate IV in School Based Education Support, the Initial Teacher Education program or while studying postgraduate teaching qualifications.

Delivered in partnership with Koorie Education, the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI), as well other Koorie organisations and VET providers, students will be employed in a Victorian government school as Education Support or teaching paraprofessionals for up to two years.

"Teaching and learning is in our DNA as Koorie people and here is an opportunity to follow in the work of your ancestors," VAEAI vice-president Professor Mark Rose said.

"These programs will help you to create change for good."

All AKT Now participants will be given support by cultural mentors, as well as receiving department-subsidised remuneration through schools while they study for 12 to 24 months.

"The AKT Now initiative will add to the diversity of our teaching workforce and bring the benefits of First Nations people's lived experience into the classroom," Minister Carroll said.

"We're providing more opportunities for First Nations people who want to join the school workforce–so they can pursue a rewarding career in education."

Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said Indigenous people were the first storytellers and teachers in Victoria.

"Increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in Victoria can only be a good thing for our young people," she said.

"This announcement is important for Victoria's path to Truth and Treaty with First Nations people."

The government said they were seeking expressions of interest from schools who wanted to host AKT Now participants as part of their education support staff, and schools can request more information from the Department of Education at [email protected].