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Suitability to teach

Suitability to teach is one of the eligibility requirements for being a teacher in Australia. It involves assessing whether a person is suitable to work in a child-related field, of good character, and competent to perform the role of a teacher. This is because teachers occupy a position of special trust and authority to act in the best interests of children and protect them from harm. As such, they must be held to a high standard of professional and ethical behaviour, including integrity, honesty and accountability, in both their professional and personal lives.

A suitability assessment applies to all applications for teacher registration, renewal, restoration, or Permission to Teach.

The paramount consideration of the QCT in determining a person’s suitability to teach is the safety, welfare and best interests of children.

Assessing suitability

The QCT has developed a suitability to teach policy [PDF 242KB] and guidelines [PDF 271KB] that are directly aligned with national suitability principles and considerations, to assist people in understanding how the QCT assesses suitability to teach.

The assessment considers a range of relevant information, including compliance with registration requirements, criminal history, professional conduct, and any allegations or disciplinary actions. Because everyone’s relevant information is different, the assessment considers each applicant's individual circumstances and merits, including professional and personal conduct, and ensures procedural fairness in decision-making. Importantly, the assessment includes conduct that may have occurred in a private capacity.

The QCT will use a range of information to assess your suitability to teach, including:

  • changes in police information (including any criminal history) received from the Commissioner of Police or interstate or international authorities, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Executive for Corrective Services
  • any previous decisions to refuse, suspend or cancel teacher registration in Queensland or elsewhere
  • any previous disciplinary action or any behaviour that departs from the standard of behaviour reasonably expected of a teacher, or that shows the person is not of good character
  • reportable conduct allegations or convictions
  • where your employment as a teacher has been terminated for reasons of competency or suitability
  • any other matters that the QCT determines appropriate and relevant to consider.

Applications for registration, renewal of registration, or Permission to Teach will be determined at the earliest reasonable opportunity. Suitability is a point-in-time assessment; therefore, applications requiring a suitability assessment will not be deferred pending the conclusion of any other criminal, civil, or disciplinary allegations or proceedings.

Applicant disclosure

Applicants must disclose all relevant information, including charges or convictions (even if no conviction was recorded), reportable conduct, or any previous issues with teacher registration.

Failure to disclose relevant information or providing false or misleading details is an offence under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 and may result in disciplinary action or rejection of the application.

Persons prohibited from applying

Serious or disqualifying offences, such as child-related harm or serious criminal acts, may result in mandatory exclusion unless exceptional circumstances apply. These offences are defined in sections 15 and 16 of the Working with Children Check Act 2000.

A person convicted of a serious or disqualifying offence may, in certain circumstances, obtain an eligibility declaration.

Ongoing obligations

Suitability to teach is an ongoing obligation. Teachers must immediately report any changes to their police information, including charges or convictions, regardless of severity. The QCT conducts regular checks with law enforcement and other regulatory bodies to ensure compliance. Maintaining high standards of professional and personal conduct is essential to uphold the trust and safety of the teaching profession and to protect the best interests of children.

Blue card and exemption card

Preservice teacher education students must obtain a blue card before commencing practical experience in Queensland schools.

If you're a registered teacher in Queensland, you don't need a blue card or an exemption card to teach at a school.

If you are a registered teacher providing other regulated child-related services, such as:

  • working at an early childcare centre
  • private tutoring
  • volunteering at a local children's sporting club.

You should apply to Blue Card Services for an exemption card.

There is no fee to apply for an exemption card. Once Blue Card Services receives your application, they will contact the QCT to confirm whether you are a registered teacher and to determine whether further employment screening is required.

Last updated:
16 June 2026