Who is the Queensland College of Teachers?

The Queensland College of Teachers — or QCT as we're better known — is the statutory authority for regulating the teaching profession in Queensland.

As the first Australian state to establish registration for state and non-state school teachers, we have a proud history of upholding high standards for the teaching profession.

Initially established in 1971 as the Board of Teacher Education, the QCT was formed in 2006 under an act of the Queensland Parliament.

Board in session: 1979 Board of Teacher Education, and 2024 QCT Board

While all other states and territories now have teacher registration or accreditation authorities, Queensland and South Australia are the only states that have continuously required registration to teach since the 1970s.

We have a Board made up of 15 members, most of whom are registered teachers. Their role is to decide the policies, control the affairs, and carry out the functions of the QCT.

We operate under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 and are also subject to subordinate legislation, the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Regulation 2016.

No individual can legally teach in a Queensland school unless they have been approved to do so by the QCT.

What do we do?

Our role is guided by our primary purpose: working in the best interests of children.

We are funded by Queensland teacher registration fees, which allow us to administer our legislation and deliver the vital services that protect the public and maintain confidence in the profession.

Delivering services: Staff from the 1980s and 2020s

With just over 80 staff members, our team performs key functions on behalf of the profession including:

• managing our core business of teacher registration, including checking all teachers are qualified for registration or have permission to teach
• ensuring compliance with our legislation by teachers, employing authorities and other agencies
• accrediting initial teacher education programs for provisional registration of graduate teachers
• granting teacher certification at the Highly Accomplished and Lead career stages of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers for state and Catholic school teachers
• developing and applying professional standards for entry to, and continuing membership of, the teaching profession
• investigating and acting on teacher conduct matters
• promoting the profession through teaching awards, media liaison and opportunities for professional development.

Why registration?

Teacher registration plays a critical role in the education system. It establishes that approved teachers are qualified, current in their practice and suitable to teach students.

From nurses to doctors, and lawyers to engineers, professional registration is an important part of the regulatory landscape in all Australian states and territories, helping keep public confidence in the profession you are part of.

With a modest annual fee of just over $100, Queensland teacher registration fees are some of the lowest of all compulsory professional registration fees in Australia.

Most importantly, teacher registration fees help fund the child safety services that protect students, including police checks, school compliance monitoring, misconduct investigations and disciplinary proceedings.