Progressing your career

The diversity of a teaching career offers professional and personal rewards which can extend further than your role in the classroom.

We provide many opportunities for teachers to progress to leadership and specialist positions within our Queensland school system, such as:

• principal
• deputy principal
• head of department (curriculum)
• head of school
• head of campus
• head of special education services
• guidance officer
• Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (see below).

You can view the approximate base salaries for some of these leadership positions to get a better idea of your career earnings potential.

If you’re interested in furthering your career outside the classroom, explore our online and face-to-face learning programs to aid your professional development.

Professional development for teachers

Education Futures Institute

Our Equity and Excellence strategy outlines how the department will create a workforce culture of professional excellence and sustained improvement. A key action of the strategy is the investment in professional development for school leaders, teachers and staff through a world class Education Futures Institute (EFI).

The EFI will deliver high quality, targeted capability development at key career stages. The EFI will partner with key educational experts and leaders to deliver flagship programs with a focus on expertise in curriculum, teaching and learning.

Opportunities across Queensland

There are always fantastic opportunities to work in our rural and remote communities. Consider applying for a transfer to a rural, remote or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to build your capability, expertise and to engage in a wide variety of teaching and community experiences!

If your mission is to be a life-long learner and you’re ready to take the next step in your teaching career, you can:

• talk to your principal about your career expectations and map out your development path
• search and apply for regional and remote vacancies through Smart jobs
• apply for Highly Accomplished Teacher (HAT) or Lead Teacher (LT) certification.

National teacher certification

We recognise and reward Highly Accomplished Teachers and Lead Teachers (sometimes referred to as HALTs) who have achieved certification through the national process developed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. The Queensland College of Teachers is the certifying authority for Queensland state school teachers.

Eligible state school teachers have the opportunity to pursue voluntary national certification while remaining in the classroom. In our state schools, we currently have 189 certified HALTs.

State school teachers who teach in a range of contexts and subject areas, including physical education, mathematics, English, science and performing arts, have already been successful in gaining certification.

We also provide experienced teachers and school leaders with the opportunity to undertake national training with the Queensland College of Teachers to participate annually as an assessor. Our assessors hold a range of positions across different school types and contexts including primary, secondary, primary and secondary combined, special, schools of distance education, support units, centres for learning and wellbeing and regional locations.

How to apply

Eligible Queensland state school teachers are able to apply for certification at the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher career stages through the Queensland College of Teachers.

Want to know more?

Visit our YouTube channel to hear stories and tips from Queensland state school teachers who have achieved national certification and school leaders who have supported them on their journey.

For more details about certification, visit the Queensland College of Teachers website.​