Our certification process for Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers is changing.
The program has been reviewed and updated to align to the new national Framework, which seeks to streamline requirements and make certification more accessible.
We are improving our program so teachers can achieve Highly Accomplished or Lead teacher status more efficiently.
We will continue accepting applications under the previous version in 2025, from teachers who have already commenced.
Join the Certification 2.0 email group by emailing to register your name and email to receive regular updates from the QCT about Certification 2.0.
New applicant guidelines will be available from July.
The QCT remains the certifying authority for Queensland state and Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) schools.
Teachers employed in independent schools should continue to seek advice about certification from Independent Schools Queensland.
Certification status is recognised nationally and is therefore portable. It is a demonstration of an applicant’s abilities, experience, knowledge, and skills.
For applications:
Certification is a process whereby experienced classroom teachers in Queensland schools voluntarily pursue national certification to demonstrate their teaching skills and abilities at the higher career-stages of the APST.
Certification supports teachers to document their practice at either of the higher career stages of the APST. Assessment is made against all the descriptors of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST).
Certification is portable as Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers are certified through a national process applied by Certifying Authorities in each participating state or territory.
Certified teachers are required to renew their certification status every five years. For more information, see Certification Renewal.
Deciding to apply for certification requires considerable reflection from teachers about their practice against the APST. AITSL has provided this Teacher Self-Assessment Tool to support this reflection.
To hear about the experiences of certified teachers read their Stories on the QCT website. These stories provide useful advice and tips for applicants.
Teachers applying for certification by the QCT should refer to the Guidelines for teachers applying for certification by the Queensland College of Teachers as Highly Accomplished Teachers and Lead Teachers.
Employers have specific requirements for teachers applying for certification. For employer specific information about applications: