What’s changed, and what you need to know about how to register with TQI
On 1 April 2024, early childhood teachers in the ACT will be able to register with the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI).
The teacher registration framework has been expanded to include early childhood teachers. The Education (Early Childhood) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 paved the way for this change by recognising what teachers working in the early childhood sector have long known – quality early childhood education matters. After all, teachers are teachers.
Registration will be voluntary, but any teacher qualified to teach in early childhood education and care services, including out of school care, can do so provided you meet the following eligibility requirements:
- you’re an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold an appropriate work visa
- you meet English language requirements
- you hold the appropriate qualifications.
- you have a current Working with Vulnerable People registration.
By registering, early childhood teachers will officially be held to the same standards as primary and secondary teachers, including compliance with the TQI Code of Professional Practice and Conduct, professional learning requirements, and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
There are now three categories that teachers can register in: Full Registration, Provisional Registration, and Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) Registration.
Teachers qualified to teach children from 0-5 years can register in the ECT category, while those qualified to teach children from 0-8 or 0-12 can choose which category they want to register in.
TQI is hosting virtual information sessions throughout 2024. Attendees can ask questions about requirements including compliance and eligibility. You can download a schedule of the sessions here.
This update is part of the February 2024 edition of Teachers r Teachers enewsletter. Teachers r Teachers is distributed to early childhood teachers, long day care centres and preschools three times per year. You can read past editions of Teachers r Teachers on our enews homepage or stay across all our updates for early childhood teachers on our ECEC page or via our Facebook community group for members only.
