Queensland is a large and diverse state known for its stunning landscapes, beautiful coastlines, warm climate and friendly communities. With more than 1,260 schools spread across our state’s urban, regional, rural and remote communities, we offer a diverse range of locations and communities where you can teach and live.
Our schools are arranged into 8 education regions, with a diverse range of school settings in each region. Here’s a summary of some of our popular teaching destinations and the education regions that support schools in those geographic areas.
Brisbane and surrounding areas
Brisbane is Queensland’s buzzing capital city immersed in a dynamic cultural scene, eclectic restaurant and café precincts and alfresco lifestyle to compliment the city’s renowned sunny weather.
Brisbane is located in South East Queensland and features a number of growth corridors. This expansion has created new housing developments, increased local amenities, improved access to public transport and family friendly communities. These precincts also offer easy access to waterways, parklands, recreation facilities and are short commutes from the iconic Sunshine and Gold Coasts.
Many state schools are located in and across greater Brisbane but it is also one the more sought-after teaching locations. Cities like Logan, Ipswich and Caboolture are located right on Brisbane’s doorstep, and provide increased employment opportunities for teachers.
Our
Metropolitan North Region includes state schools from Brisbane City to Caboolture, including areas such as Redcliffe, Pullenvale and Mt Nebo. Schools located on the south side of the Brisbane River, including Cleveland and Redland Bay in the east, west to Springfield, Ipswich and Laidley and south to Calamvale are supported by our
Metropolitan South Region.
Sunshine and Gold Coasts
The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coasts are popular destinations for visitors and residents alike. Each boasting soft sandy shores, mesmerising waves and urban coastal lifestyles. They are highly appealing areas to families, younger people and empty nesters due to the weather, range of local amenities and friendly locals.
These areas offer a wide range of school settings and often prove to be a competitive job market for teachers, due to their popularity as a location preference for teachers, especially those who have spent time teaching and living in other parts of Queensland.
There is higher demand for teachers in areas such as Logan City and Caboolture, and in some teaching specialisations such as special education and inclusion, which can increase the number of permanent, temporary and casual employment opportunities available to teachers interested in living in these areas.
The Sunshine Coast geographic area sits within our
North Coast Region and the schools across the Gold Coast are part of our
South East Region.
Regional cities and centres
Queensland includes many large regional centres, each offering teachers and their families unique opportunities to work, live and play. These include cities such as Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, Mt Isa and Toowoomba, as well as larger regional communities that often act as hubs for smaller local townships.
You will find many amenities and services that you’d expect to find in a city but with the feel of a smaller community and less traffic in your commute to work!
Each region offers a variety of school settings and employment opportunities for teachers, as well as access to generous financial incentives, relocation support and subsidised housing in many communities.
Here’s a guide to each of our education regions and some of the regional centres they support:
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North Queensland region—Townsville, Mt Isa, Charters Towers, Bowen and Ingham
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Far North Queensland region—Cairns, Weipa, Atherton, Innisfail and Tully
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Central Queensland region—Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone, Longreach and Emerald
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Darling Downs South West region—Toowoomba, Dalby, Gatton, Roma, Charleville and Kingaroy
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North Coast region—Bundaberg, Gympie, Maryborough, Childers and Nambour
Coastal communities
For many people living within close proximity to the beach and ocean is a lifelong goal. With almost 7,000km of coastline and over 900 islands sprinkled along Queensland’s coast, our state school teachers work and live in a host of coastal communities.
From large cities and regional centres to smaller towns with a permanent holiday feel, the unspoiled paradise of the Torres Strait, and tropical islands within easy reach of the mainland, your ideal coastal oasis can be found in Queensland.
Our education regions that take in coastal communities include:
Rural and remote communities
Teaching in a rural or remote state school provides unique access to some of the most geographically and culturally diverse communities in Australia. Each community offers personal and professional benefits, experiences and opportunities, that teachers talk about long after they have left the community.
Access to education is a priority in these communities. If you teach and live in one of these communities, you and your family will be welcomed with open arms. You are likely to quickly foster strong connections with local families and cultures, and will be provided the opportunity to innovate and adapt your teaching pedagogies while sharing once in a life time experiences.
As a teacher in a
rural and remote community you may have access to financial incentives and benefits, which can include relocation and settlement assistance, subsidised housing and travel, and additional leave.
If the idea of leaving a lasting, positive impact in a rural or remote community, sounds like a great opportunity, discover more about these education regions:
More information
Check out the
Department of Education interactive map to see where teaching in Queensland state schools could take you.