FAQs
- General
- Requirements for Registration
- Provisional Registration
- Renewal of Registration
- Recency of Practice
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- 'Returning to Teaching in Schools' Programs
- Registration Fees
GENERAL
Why do we have teacher registration in Queensland?
Teacher registration ensures that only qualified and suitable people are employed to teach in our schools, which not only strengthens
the standard of education for our children but also protects their safety. This ultimately ensures the integrity and accountability of the profession.
When was the Queensland College of Teachers established?
The Queensland College of Teachers was established on 1 January 2006, to replace the former Board of Teacher Registration.
What is an 'approved teacher'?
An 'approved teacher', as defined in the Act, is a person who either is a registered teacher (ie holds full or provisional registration under the Act) or holds a permission to teach.
REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
What are the requirements for registration?
Applicants are required to be suitably qualified, to be a suitable person to be registered as a teacher,
and meet the English language proficiency requirements.
What are the requirements regarding English language proficiency?
A requirement for both provisional and full registration is the ability to communicate in spoken and written English at a professional level.
The QCT has determined how English language proficiency is to be determined and assessed for all applicants for registration.
Applicants from most overseas countries are required to undertake the IELTS test (International English Language Testing System), and score at
a level of 7 or higher in each area of the test. Scores of 4 for Speaking, Listening and Reading, and 3+ for Writing, on the ISLPR scale are also accepted.
Queensland universities are required to ensure that graduates from non-English speaking backgrounds meet these same standards.
PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION
What is provisional registration?
Provisional registration is an acknowledgement that teacher education is a continuum made up of the preservice program, induction and
continuing career-long professional development.
Provisional registration is a transition period to full registration. It is provided for recent teacher education graduates from universities in
Australia as well as some teachers applying for registration after a career break or teachers applying for Queensland registration from interstate or overseas
How long is the period of provisional registration?
Under legislation applying from 1 January, 2006, provisional registration is for an initial period of two years.
How do I know when my provisional registration period expires?
Check your Certificate of Registration. The end date of your provisional registration is shown on your certificate;
this is subject to payment of the annual fee.
Can the period of provisional registration be extended?
Yes. If you do not meet the requirements for full registration before your provisional registration is due to expire, your provisional registration
may be extended for a further two years. Only one such extension is permitted.
What are the requirements for obtaining full registration?
To gain full registration, you need to successfully complete a year of teaching (200 days or 1000 hours is regarded as equivalent to one year of
full-time teaching) and demonstrate achievement against the QCT Professional Standards
for Queensland Teachers.
If teachers have conditions on their provisional registration, i.e. an undertaking to complete additional studies, these conditions will also need
to be satisfied in order to gain full registration.
What is the process for moving to full registration?
The QCT has developed a new process, outlined in the policy.
What kind of teaching experience is acceptable for the assessment of eligibility for full registration?
Classroom teaching experience in a Queensland state or non-state school, or a recognised school in another Australian state or territory or New Zealand
is acceptable.
In addition, until 30 June 2008, classroom teaching experience in Queensland in the following types of institutions is also acceptable:
- A TAFE College
- A senior college
- A higher education institution
- A kindergarten affiliated with the Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland
- A non-affiliated preschool or kindergarten or a childcare centre only if specific criteria* are met; and
- Other educational institutions only if specific criteria* are met.
(* Details of specific criteria may be obtained from the office of the QCT on request).
RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
How often will I have to renew my registration?
The period of registration is now five years, with renewal of registration at the end of each period. While registration will be renewed every five years,
registration will only remain current if the Annual Registration Fee has been paid.
What are the requirements for renewing my registration?
For renewal of registration, teachers who demonstrate recency of practice must also have undertaken the continuing professional development (CPD) as
required under the continuing professional development framework of the QCT.
Teachers must also demonstrate their continuing suitability to teach (a criminal history check
will be conducted by the QCT).
Members of the profession who do not meet recency of practice requirements in
a period of registration will continue to be eligible for full registration and will not be required to meet the CPD requirements for
renewal of registration at the end of that period of registration. However, their registration will be renewed subject to a Returning to Teaching in Schools
condition. The QCT is currently developing policy and procedures for renewal of registration and information will be added to the website as it is available.
When will I first have to renew?
Previously registered teachers, whose registration ‘rolled over’ to the new Queensland College of Teachers on its commencement,
will need to renew their registration for 2011. That is, they will need to apply for renewal in the last months of 2010. While registration will be
renewed every five years, registration will only remain current if the Annual Registration Fee
has been paid.
Registration and the 'Blue Card'- given that there will now be regular, five-yearly criminal history checks for renewal of registration,
do teachers still need a "Blue Card" to undertake other kinds of child-related employment?
Yes. Teacher registration still relates only to employment as a teacher in Queensland schools. Registered teachers who wish to participate in
other child-related activities, either as a paid employee or as a volunteer, are still required to obtain a "Blue Card" from the
Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. Registered teachers teaching in community kindergartens are also still required to
hold a "Blue Card".
RECENCY OF PRACTICE
Will I be able to remain registered, even after a lengthy absence from teaching?
The minimum practice requirement for renewal of registration is at least one year within the five years preceding the application for renewal.
One year is defined as 200 days or 1000 hours. However those registrants with less than the minimum requirements will have their registration renewed,
subject to a satisfactory criminal history check, with the condition that they successfully complete a ‘Returning to Teaching’
professional development program prior to or within the first 12 months after returning to teach in a school.
See the questions about ‘Returning to Teaching’ below for further information.
How will the new ‘recency of practice’ provisions affect supply teachers?
Certainly, supply teaching will count – and has always counted – as professional practice. The QCT has determined that "one year"
be defined as a total of 200 days or 1000 hours, which may be completed at any time within the five years preceding renewal of registration.
Supply teachers will maintain their registration and be able to continue to do supply teaching, although some may need to undertake a
'Returning to Teaching’ program if they do not meet this minimum requirement.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
How much CPD will I need to have done over five years to renew my registration?
This is a matter yet to be determined by the QCT. However, discussions to date have produced a commitment to some broad principles.
One principle is that the emphasis should be on undertaking PD to support ongoing professional growth. Teachers will need to be able to
demonstrate development against the QCT professional standards, in response to regular reflection on their practice.
The processes of employers in regard to PD will also be taken into account to avoid duplication of requirements.
What do I have to do before the new CPD requirements commence?
When the CPD Framework has been developed, the QCT will advise registered teachers of requirements. It would be prudent for registered teachers to keep
a record of their CPD.
What kinds of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will be recognised for renewal of registration?
As the CPD framework of the QCT must have regard to the professional standards, work on the framework l commenced in 2007,
once the new standards had been developed and distributed.
The McMeniman Review report recommended that CPD required for renewal be defined as including:
- Individual studies (related to the registrant’s area of professional practice);
- Conferences, seminars, external workshops;
- School-based in-service activities (including pupil-free days), moderation meetings, QSA in-service, etc;
- Relevant professional practice in non-school settings; and
- Mentoring of student teachers, interns, early-career teachers or returning-to-teaching registrants.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. The QCT will further define these requirements. However, this list does give registrants an indication of
the kinds of activities the Review report considered might be included in meeting requirements.
Will I be able to access CPD activities if I have family commitments or don’t live in a metropolitan area?
CPD is expected to be very broadly defined, and to include many of the kinds of activities likely to be undertaken as part of the usual work of
practising teachers. The QCT has an interest in ensuring that all registered teachers have access to appropriate professional development opportunities,
and will take this into account when recognising CPD activities for purposes of renewal of registration. It is also likely that professional development programs
will be available via distance learning modes to improve accessibility for people who might otherwise find access difficult.
How will the CPD requirements affect non-practising teachers?
Members of the profession who do not meet recency of practice requirements will have their full registration renewed and will not be required to
meet the CPD requirements However, their registration will be subject to the condition that should they wish to return to the classroom,
they will be required to complete a ‘Returning to Teaching in Schools’ program in the 12 months prior to or during the first 12 months of
returning to classroom practice, to ensure that their knowledge, skills and practice are up to date.
‘RETURNING TO TEACHING IN SCHOOLS’ PROGRAM
When will I need to undertake a ‘Returning to Teaching in Schools’ program?
Registered teachers who do not meet the minimum requirements for professional practice at the time of their five-yearly renewal of registration will
maintain their registration but with a condition to undertake a ‘Returning to Teaching’ program, either in the 12 months before or
within 12 months after the day they return to teach in a school.
Who will pay for the ‘Returning to Teaching in Schools’ program?
If a fee is required for all or part of a ‘Returning to Teaching in a School’ program, the individual teacher is responsible for the associated costs.
Will it be difficult to do the ‘Returning to Teaching in Schools’ program if I have family commitments or don’t live
in a metropolitan area?
It is expected that ‘Returning to Teaching in Schools’ programs will be delivered by appropriate providers in a variety of flexible modes,
for example using distance learning methods and supervision by staff of local schools, if required.
The duration of the program will vary according to the nature of the program and possibly the delivery mode and specific needs of the teacher.
REGISTRATION FEES
Is there still an annual fee?
Yes. While registration will be renewed every five years, registration will only remain current if the Annual Registration Fee has been paid.
What does the annual fee pay for?
The annual fee enables the QCT to undertake the functions outlined in the legislation and ensure its independent operation. The fees will ensure the QCT is able to:
- Develop and implement the Professional Standards for entry to, and ongoing membership of, the profession;
- Establish a code of practice for Queensland Teachers;
- Assess overseas and interstate qualifications for the purposes of teacher registration;
- Conduct regular criminal history checks on approved teachers;
- Investigate serious complaints against teachers to improve child safety and maintain standards;
- Maintain a system of provisional registration for new teachers which ensures they meet the standards for full registration;
- Approve Queensland preservice teacher education programs;
- Develop policy and administer CPD requirements, for purposes of renewal of registration;
- Develop policy and administer recency of practice requirements, for purposes of renewal of registration;
- Develop guidelines for and endorse ‘returning to teaching in schools’ programs;
- Undertake research that will benefit the profession; and
- Promote the profession to raise the status of teaching and teachers in Queensland.
Can I pay my Annual Fee for 2 or 3 years in advance with the Queensland College of Teachers?
No. Under the new legislation, there is no provision to pay the annual fee in advance with the Queensland College of Teachers.