Queensland College of Teachers

Disciplinary action

If, after hearing and considering a disciplinary matter a disciplinary committee decides that a ground for disciplinary action has been established the committee may decide that disciplinary action be taken against the teacher by doing one or more of the following –

Professional Practice and Conduct Committee

• take no further action against the teacher
• refer the matter to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• issue a warning or reprimand to the teacher
• make an order that a particular notation or endorsement about the teacher be entered in the register
• accept an undertaking from the teacher.

Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal

• decide to take no further action in relation to the matter;
• if the teacher is suspended under section 48 or 49—end the suspension;
• issue a warning or reprimand to the teacher;
• cancel the teacher’s registration or permission to teach;
• suspend the teacher’s registration or permission to teach for a stated time;
• make an order requiring the teacher to pay to the QCT, by way of costs, an amount the committee considers appropriate having regard to—
• any expenses incurred by the QCT in investigating the matter; and
• the expenses the committee has incurred in conducting the hearing;
• make an order requiring the teacher to pay to the QCT, by way of penalty, an amount fixed by the committee but not more than the equivalent of 20 penalty units;
• impose conditions on, or amend or remove conditions on, the teacher’s registration or permission to teach;
• make an order that a particular notation or endorsement about the teacher be entered in the register;
• if the committee cancels the teachers’ registration or permission to teach (or would have cancelled if the teacher had been an approved teacher) —make an order prohibiting the teacher from reapplying for registration or permission to
• teach for not more than 5 years from the day the order is made;
• make another order the committee considers appropriate;
• accept an undertaking from the teacher.

The QCT must give effect to a disciplinary committee decision.  A teacher may apply for a review of certain decisions of the QCAT.  A teacher or the QCT may appeal to the District Court against a decision of the QCAT.