Complaints about teachers

Many concerns about teacher conduct or competence can, and should be, resolved through direct discussion with the teacher or their employer.

The QCT can receive and assess complaints about approved and former approved teachers. However, the QCT can only deal with complaints that, if proven, would result in disciplinary action against the teacher.

For more information, read the QCT's Complaints against teachers policy [PDF 234KB].

Complaint details

Your complaint must be in writing and include details of the allegation(s).

It is important that you clearly outline:

the teacher who is the subject of the complaint
the date(s) on which the action or event giving rise to the complaint occurred
full details of what your complaint is about, including:
- what happened
- where it happened
- to whom it happened
whether you have made the complaint to anyone else, for example, the teacher’s employer, and the outcome of that complaint.

My complaint is about more than one teacher

Please submit a separate complaint form for each teacher.

How the QCT will deal with the complaint

If you make a complaint against a teacher, the QCT will:

establish if the person who is the subject of the complaint is an approved teacher, or was an approved teacher at the time of the conduct
assess the complaint to determine the most appropriate course of action, including whether to refuse it or redirect it to another entity
write to you about the complaint.

How the QCT assesses complaints

In assessing the complaint, the QCT may contact you to seek more information, ask you to provide a statutory declaration or contact other necessary people and agencies. This could include:

determining if the complaint is better dealt with by another agency
identifying whether the complaint is based on an allegation that has already been dealt with
requesting details from a school or employing authority about the matters
contacting alleged witnesses to determine whether they can provide a statement in respect to the matter.

When we assess a complaint, we may ask you for more information or evidence.

Can the QCT refuse to deal with a complaint?

Yes. We can refuse to deal with your complaint if we believe the complaint:

may not establish a ground for disciplinary action
is trivial, unreasonable or without substance
is vexatious or frivolous
should be referred to another entity
has already been adequately dealt with by another entity
relates to a historical matter that the QCT could not practicably deal with.

We can also refuse to deal with the complaint if you, without a reasonable excuse, fail to provide further information requested by us and/or do not comply with a requirement of the QCT under the Act to provide further information or to verify information by a statutory declaration when required.

If we decide to refuse to deal with your complaint, we will contact you as soon as practicable to let you know.

Reportable conduct

The Reportable Conduct Scheme is administered by the Queensland Family and Child Commission and requires reporting entities to notify the Commission of, and investigate, allegations and convictions of reportable conduct. (hyperlink to the Reportable Conduct page)

If we determine that your complaint could possibly include reportable conduct allegations or convictions, we may:

request that you report the complaint to the appropriate reporting entity and refuse to deal with the complaint on the basis that it is more appropriately dealt with by the reporting entity
advise the Queensland Family and Child Commission about the complaint
share relevant information with reportable conduct entities.

How the QCT manages complaints

If the QCT assesses your complaint and decides to proceed, we will either authorise an investigation of the complaint or commence disciplinary proceedings against the teacher.

Teacher complaint form

Review the following questions to help you decide if your complaint is one the QCT can address.

Q. Does your complaint concern an administrative matter, such as not providing report cards or feedback about a student's development, school uniform issues, or a policy including curriculum?
A. If yes, this is not a complaint the QCT has legislative authority to address under section 87 of the Act; please contact the school or employing authority.

Q. Does your complaint concern teacher performance or management?
A. If yes, this is not a complaint the QCT has legislative authority to address under section 87 of the Act; please contact the school or employing authority.

Q. Does your complaint concern a Family Court or child safety issue involving a teacher and their children?
A. If yes, this is not a complaint the QCT has legislative authority to address under section 87 of the Act. Report your concerns to a relevant authority, such as the Queensland Police Service or the Department of Child Safety, or seek independent legal advice.

Q. Is your complaint about criminal activity?
A. If yes, the Queensland Police Service is the most appropriate entity for your complaint.

Q. Is your complaint about a reportable conduct allegation or conviction?
A: If yes, you should report your complaint to the teacher's employer.

Q. Does your complaint involve official misconduct, such as contact that could, if proven, be a criminal offence or disciplinary breach, providing reasonable grounds for terminating the person's employment if they are or were a public servant?
A. If yes, you should raise your concerns with the employing authority and/or the Crime and Corruption Commission (for state and grammar schools only).

Q. Do the allegations, if proven, suggest that the person behaves in a manner, whether related to the teaching profession or not, that falls short of the standard of behaviour typically expected of a teacher?
A. If not, this is not a complaint that the QCT has legislative authority to address under section 87 of the Act.

Last updated:: 16 June 2026