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 schools 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
Eligible teachers working in our schools can participate in online professional development and upskilling courses.
We have worked in partnership with Australian universities to develop these course offerings to help increase teacher confidence and capability to teach priority curriculum areas. In addition to online learning, you might consider applying for secondments as they’re a valuable practical learning experience. Consider taking the opportunity to transfer to a rural, remote or
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to accelerate your career and access a range of career progression and development opportunities. There are a range of great
rural and remote benefits too.
In addition, teachers can access our
Centres for Learning and Wellbeing (CLAW), which support new and experienced teachers and school leaders in areas serviced by the Mount Isa, Roma, Emerald and Atherton catchments. The CLAW can support you through mentoring and coaching, facilitating inter-agency wellbeing support, developing leadership capability and resilience building.
Plus, our Teacher Learning Centres (TLC) also coordinate and deliver professional learning opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career journey, right across the state.
Learn more about your professional development options
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 Teachers (HATs) and Lead Teachers (LTs) 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.
We provide eligible state school teachers with the opportunity to pursue voluntary national certification while remaining in the classroom. In our state schools, we currently have 171 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 in the program as an assessor. As at December 2022, the department has 159 assessors.
Our assessors come from a range of 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. They hold a range of positions.
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.