Supported Pathway into Teaching

​​​​​​​​​Current employees of the Queensland Department of Education are able to access support to enable them to transition to a teaching career through the ​Supported Pathway into Teaching initiative.

This initiative recognises the valuable contribution our employees make every day to the work of the department and our schools across Queensland, their commitment to their studies and their potential to step into the important role of teacher in Queensland state schools.

Through the Supported Pathway into Teaching initiative, current school-based, regional and corporate office employees who are enrolled in an approved Australian initial teacher education program can access special leave with pay when undertaking the compulsory professional experience placements and examinations associated with their teaching degree.

Access to approved special leave ensures that employees do not have to utilise recreation, unpaid or other accrued leave when completing their professional experience placements.

Eligibility

To be eligible for support through the Supported Pathway into Teaching initiative, you must be:

• permanently employed by the Queensland Department of Education or a temporary employee whose appointment includes the period for which leave is required
• enrolled in an initial teacher education program such as a Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching
• eligible for teacher registration from the Queensland College of Teachers​ upon graduation
  
• undertaking a professional experience placement that is a compulsory requirement of your approved initial teacher education program.

Support

The table below provides an overview of the support available to eligible employees, aligned to the implementation timeframe for the Supported Pathways into Teaching initiative.

Examination leave

Access to special leave with pay to undertake compulsory examinations is available on those occasions when scheduled examinations are within the employee’s designated hours of work. Leave with pay for up to 4​ days—including any required travel time—is only available for examinations held on work days during designated hours of duty.

How to apply

Eligible departmental employees can apply for special leave with pay through the leave approval processes within their school/business unit and must ensure that sufficient notice of the profe​ssional experience and examination dates is discussed with their supervisor. Employees applying for leave through MyHR are required to select 'SupportPath Teach' as their leave type.

Further information for employees and their supervisors can be accessed by searching for 'Supported Pathway into Teaching special leave g​uideline' on OnePortal.

Enquiries

Our Scholarships and Grants team is happy to answer any specific question you may have about the Supported Pathway into Teaching. They can be contacted by emailing scholarships@qed.qld.gov.au.