Queensland College of Teachers

CPD requirements

The QCT has developed the Continuing Professional Development Framework, the purpose of which is to recognise the importance of teacher engagement in continued professional development and to outline the expectations for renewal of registration. A Fact Sheet also has been developed to more briefly outline the requirements.

Required Continuing Professional Development

The CPD undertaken by teachers must have regard to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and should demonstrate:

• a balance across the following areas:
• employer directed and supported CPD
• school supported CPD
• teacher identified CPD
• a range of types of CPD activities
• completion of at least the minimum annual amount required.

These areas acknowledge that professional responsibility for maintaining knowledge and skills extends beyond the individual’s personal professional development to meet their responsibilities as a member of a team and school staff. The balance may vary according to the particular teacher’s situation. For example, in some employer settings the first two areas may merge. For supply teachers a greater emphasis on teacher identified CPD may be appropriate.

Amount of CPD required

CPD is an annual requirement.

From 2013, most teachers with full registration will need to complete at least 20 hours of CPD per year.  For teachers who teach less than 20 days in any one calendar year, there is no CPD requirement for that year.

The new amounts of CPD apply only for the years 2013 and after; for the period 2010 to 2012, the annual requirements of the previous policy apply.  The tables below outline the CPD requirements for 2013 and 2010 – 2012 respectively. 

Table (A)   CPD requirements from 2013

 

Days of teaching employment  per year	CPD requirements per year  from 2013 onwards
20 days and above	At least 20 hours
Under 20 days	Nil CPD

 

For teachers who have recency of practice but who did no teaching in a calendar year the CPD requirement is nil for that calendar year.

Table (B)   CPD requirements for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012

 

Days of teaching employment  per year	CPD requirements per year  for the years 2010, 2011, 2012
Teaching  full time	At least 30 hours
200 days and above	At least 30 hours
160 - 199 days	At least 25 hours
120 – 159 days	At least 20 hours
80 - 119 days	At least 15 hours
40 – 79 days	At least 10 hours
Under 40 days	Nil CPD

 

For teachers who have recency of practice but who did no teaching in a calendar year, the CPD requirement is nil for that calendar year.

A Returning to Teaching condition will be applied at the time of renewal of registration for teachers who do not have recency of practice.

CPD activities

CPD must be differentiated from activities that are normal expectations of the teacher’s role or engagement in extra-curricular activities. Only the professional development component of an activity may be included to meet the requirements.

In deciding how much of any particular activity may be included, key considerations include the appropriateness for the teacher’s role, contribution to achievement of identified learning goals, the range of activities and balance across the required areas. The Framework and Fact Sheet provide examples of CPD activities.