About the program
The Career Change Internship Program helps degree-qualified and experienced professionals, including veterans, to transition into a rewarding teaching career.
You'll complete an eligible postgraduate
ITE program while developing your teaching skills through a paid internship in a Queensland state school.
The program includes:
- a $20,000 scholarship during your first year of full-time ITE studies
- a paid teaching internship in your second year, where you'll teach part-time on a full-time salary while completing your studies
- mentoring from supervising and mentor teachers, with access to additional professional support throughout your internship
- a permanent teaching position in a Queensland state school (in one of the department's priority regions) after you successfully complete your internship and graduate.
The department is a supporter of the
Veteran Employment Commitment (VEC) and is committed to employing Australia's veterans and creating an environment where they can perform at their best.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program you must:
- have an undergraduate degree in a field other than education/teaching (minimum 3-year bachelor's degree)
- have not previously commenced or completed an ITE program, unless you meet one of the
previous studies in education/teaching criteria
- have Australian citizenship or permanent residency status in Australia
- meet the admission requirements for one of the
eligible postgraduate ITE programs offered by our university partners, and be accepted for enrolment
- be able to complete an eligible postgraduate ITE program offered by one of our partner universities on a full-time basis in the first year of the program, in accordance with a pre-determined program map designed to align with the Career Change Internship Program
- have the flexibility to complete a 1-year internship in an eligible Queensland state school during the second year of the program while completing part-time studies.
In addition to the above requirements, applicants will be asked to confirm their commitment to:
- complete a 1-year internship placement at a state school in a priority region of Queensland: Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West (excluding Toowoomba City and Warwick), Far North Queensland and North Queensland
- permanent employment with the Queensland Department of Education upon program completion for a minimum of 2–3 years (depending on location) in one of the priority regions listed above.
Individuals who are able and committed to teach in a high demand curriculum area will be prioritised when the number of applications exceeds the number of places.
Current high demand curriculum areas include secondary English, mathematics, science (excluding psychology), agricultural science, technologies (including industrial design and technologies, digital technologies, engineering and hospitality) and special education/inclusion. The department has the discretion to determine if other curriculum areas or primary may be considered. Preference will also be given to candidates with relevant industry experience aligned to the curriculum area they are seeking to teach.
Previous studies in education/teaching
Individuals who have previously commenced but not completed an ITE program may apply for this program if either:
- they are not eligible for recognition of prior learning undertaken as part of an ITE program (this usually applies to studies commenced 10 or more years prior)
- they have completed no more than 2 courses/units of an ITE program with a partnering university at the time of application and continue to meet this requirement at the commencement of Semester/Trimester 1, 2027. Applicants must be eligible to continue their enrolment or re-enrol in the program and provide a current academic transcript with their application.
Eligible ITE programs
The following table provides details of our partner universities and approved ITE programs.
*Students at ACU have the option to choose 2 electives that focus on teaching students with disability and complex needs.
You are encouraged to contact our partner universities directly to find out about eligibility and minimum entry requirements for the ITE program. Universities also offer bridging courses and programs to prepare you for tertiary study, and recognition of prior learning for your relevant industry experience.
Support you can receive
| 1 |
Full-time study supported by scholarship |
- A $20,000 scholarship (before tax), paid in four instalments during your first year of full-time ITE study, including mandatory professional experience placements, if you meet all program requirements.
- The scholarship is intended to provide financial support while you study and does not cover university tuition or other course fees
|
| 2 |
School-based internship year incorporating part-time teaching and study |
- 1-year paid teaching internship at a Queensland state school in one of the department's priority regions, with a reduced teaching load (50%, or 25 hours per fortnight) while you complete part-time studies, including completion of a mandatory 5-week professional experience placement.
- Full-time salary and teacher benefits, including access to additional benefits for schools in rural and remote communities (TR 4–7).
- Mentoring and support from your university and internship school, and the Teaching Internships team.
- Access to a Community of Practice.
- Recognition of the internship year towards the Career Change Internship Program minimum service period
|
| 3 |
Permanent employment as a teacher |
Commencement of employment as a teacher in a Queensland state school in one of the department's priority regions, following:
- successful completion of the Career Change Internship Program and ITE degree
- gaining provisional registration with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
|
Please note that scholarship payments are subject to tax and may impact on the actual amount individuals will receive when payment is made. It is recommended that individuals obtain independent financial advice or contact
Centrelink and/or the
Australian Taxation Office to determine any tax implications for current and future earnings, taxable income and/or benefits received.
Employment commitment
Following graduation and provisional registration as a teacher with the QCT, program participants are required to commit to teaching in Queensland state schools for a designated minimum service period of 2 or 3 years (inclusive of internship year), depending on the location of the school.
The minimum service period is 3 years for schools with a Transfer Rating (TR) 1–6, and 2 years for TR7 schools.
Frequently asked questions
Access the application link above to view the position advertisement on SmartJobs.
Applicants will then be directed to VidCruiter to complete and submit their application by 11.59pm (AEST) on 4 October 2026.
You will be asked to provide various documents, including your CV/resume, evidence of your date of birth and Australian citizenship or residency, your undergraduate qualification(s), and the details of 2 professional referees.
For your application to be considered, a complete application, including all supporting documents, must be submitted by the application deadline.
You must also apply to one of the partner universities at the same time as applying for the Career Change Internship Program and supply evidence of this with your application.
Selection will be based on assessment of the submitted application documents, eligibility for the internship program and ITE postgraduate program, evidence of Master of Teaching application(s), a panel-assessed pre-recorded video interview for shortlisted applicants and information provided through referee checks.
Applicants will be asked to confirm their commitment to both of the below:
- completing a 1-year internship placement at a state school located in a priority region of Queensland. Priority regions include Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West (excluding Toowoomba City and Warwick), Far North Queensland and North Queensland
- permanent employment as a teacher with the Queensland Department of Education upon program completion for a designated minimum service period of 2 or 3 years (depending on location) in one of the priority regions listed above.
Applicants will be prioritised if they have a:
- demonstrated ability (aligned to their undergraduate degree) and commitment to teach in a Queensland state school in a high demand curriculum area including secondary English, mathematics, science (excluding psychology), agricultural science, technologies (including industrial design and technologies, digital technologies, engineering and hospitality) and special education/inclusion. The department has the discretion to determine if other subject areas (including primary) are considered. Preference will also be given to candidates with relevant industry experience aligned to the curriculum area they are seeking to teach.
To enrol in an ITE program with Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of Sunshine Coast, or Australian Catholic University, please apply through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). To enrol with the University of Southern Queensland or the Australian College of Christian Studies, please apply directly to the university. You can apply to one or more of our partner universities.
The postgraduate ITE program study pattern for program participants varies from the standard study pattern. Participants must follow a pre-determined program map and undertake a higher study load in the first year, which may require study during university vacation periods.
Participants are encouraged to contact their chosen university directly to learn about the student support services available to help them prepare for study. Participants should also attend all orientation and onboarding activities offered by their university, as these provide important information about course requirements, enrolment, support services and strategies for academic success.
The internship is a 12-month period in which the intern works part-time as a teacher in a Queensland state school in a priority region, while continuing their studies. Once matched with a host school, the intern will commence at the start of the school year in a 0.5 FTE (full-time equivalent) role, working 25 hours per fortnight while being paid a full-time intern salary.
Internship placements are in schools that have the capacity to host and are based on departmental need for location and curriculum areas, with your location preferences also considered.
You will be supported by one or more supervising teachers and a mentor teacher, and will complete teaching milestones that build from classroom observation to lesson planning and increasing teaching responsibility.
Interns are paid at
Band 1, Step 1 of the Teachers' Salary Schedule for the first year of the internship. As an intern, you will be employed on a temporary contract, accrue leave entitlements such as sick leave and long service leave, and be paid across vacation periods during your internship.
Upon successful completion of the internship, you will be subject to the program's minimum service period (see the
employment commitment). The Teaching Internships team is committed to placing interns in schools with vacancies in high demand curriculum areas and priority regions, subject to program conditions being met.
During your internship year, you will have the opportunity to submit your location preferences within the priority regions for the department to consider as part of the placement process.
If relocation is required, assistance with moving expenses and access to subsidised housing may be available, depending on the location and subject to availability.
Contact the Teaching Internships team with any questions by emailing
TeachingInternships@qed.qld.gov.au.