Victorian students who want to train as teachers will need higher university entrance scores after concerns too many young educators aren't up to the mark.
The minimum Victoria state ATAR will be 65 in 2018 and rise to 70 from 2019.
"If you want the best and brightest kids, then you have got to make sure that we've got the best and brightest teachers," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Wednesday.
"For too long I think too many people who are perhaps not ready to be teachers have been getting the scores necessary to get into that course."
The average ATAR of students who began a teaching course in 2016 was about 57, according to Fairfax Media, implying some students got in with even lower scores.
Mr Andrews lifting lift teaching standards will flow through to class rooms.
"We've got an oversupply of teachers at the moment, so it's exactly the right time," Mr Andrews said.
But opposition education spokesman Nick Wakeling says a high ATAR score alone won't result in smarter teachers.
"While ATARs are important, universities use a range of tools to select their teacher candidates, including interviews, portfolios and written applications," Mr Wakeling said.
"Teachers need better support as they enter the classroom and more valuable professional development focused on improving their skills throughout their career."
