Welcome to the QCT's new website.
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Who we are

The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) makes sure teachers in Queensland meet high standards. We’ve been doing this for more than 50 years.

Queensland was the first Australian state to require all school teachers to be registered.

Our vision

The teaching profession empowering the future.

Our purpose

We serve the best interests of the public and the teaching profession by ensuring teachers meet quality teaching standards.

Our goals
  • We regulate the profession in the public interest.
  • We promote the profession.
  • Collaborate with our partners.
  • Thrive as an organisation into the future.

The QCT is part of the Queensland Government. It’s funded by Queensland teachers and was set up to carry out the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 (the Act). The main aims of the QCT are:

  • to keep teaching standards high
  • to foster trust in the profession with the public
  • to protect the public by ensuring only qualified teachers work in schools.
What we do

The QCT's work is divided into four main areas:

Registration

  • Registering teachers and renewing their registration.
  • Granting permission to teach.
  • Returning teachers to teaching.
  • Ensuring teachers adhere to the Act.

Professional Standards

  • Using the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) in our work.
  • Certifying Highly Accomplished (HAT) and Lead Teachers (LT).
  • Approving teacher education programs.

Integrity

  • Giving legal advice and handling appeals.
  • Investigating complaints about teachers.
  • Checking that teachers meet professional standards.

Corporate Services

  • Managing finance, staff, IT, and records.
  • Supporting the Director and Chair with governance and board matters.
  • Handling communication and engagement.

The QCT is a public service organisation under the Public Sector Act 2022. We comply with the Act, meet the Public Sector Commission's requirements, and follow government directions. All QCT staff, including the Director, are public servants.

Our history

Queensland was the first Australian state to establish registration for public and private school teachers. The Board of Teacher Education was established in 1971.

Registration began in 1973, and it became mandatory in 1975.

In 1989, the Board of Teacher Registration (BTR) replaced the Board of Teacher Education.

The QCT replaced the BTR in 2006.

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

Last updated:
16 June 2026