Applicants
Can teachers without a teaching load during the assessment period still apply for certification?
No. If a teacher will not be teaching in the classroom during the assessment period, it will not be possible for an Assessor to undertake the required observations of practice.
Do teachers need to become a Highly Accomplished Teacher before they can become a Lead Teacher?
No.
If the principal won’t support an application, can a teacher still apply for certification?
Teachers can apply for certification without the support of their principal, but the principal will be required to act as a referee during the assessment process.
How much is the assessment fee?
Stage 1 – $850
Stage 2 – $650
Fees are payable to the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) at the beginning of each stage.
Only those applicants who are successful at Stage 1 will progress to Stage 2.
Will the assessment fee be returned if an applicant is unsuccessful?
No. Assessment fees are paid as a contribution to the cost of the assessment process. The fee is not determined by the result of the process.
Applicants who are unsuccessful at either stage cannot claim back their assessment fee.
Can a school/employer pay for the assessment?
Schools/employers may pay the assessment fees but there is no onus on them to do so.
Who is the Certifying Authority?
The Queensland College of Teachers.
What evidence should an applicant provide?
Refer to the QCT Guidelines and website, including the Applicant Support program site for guidance.
How should applicants present the evidence?
Refer to the QCT Guidelines and website, including the Applicant Support program site for guidance.
Who undertakes the assessment?
Catholic Education Queensland Limited (CEQL) assessors are a mix of Queensland Catholic school teachers and Catholic School Authority office-based staff. Each has met and continues to meet the CEQL eligibility to be an assessor and has undertaken rigorous AITSL-approved training and is accredited as an assessor by AITSL.
What if the assessor and applicant know each other or have previously worked together?
Applicants must declare any conflicts of interest to QCT before the assessment begins.
Who provides the equipment for online meetings with assessors?
It is expected that applicants will use equipment within their school or, if they choose, their own equipment.
Who should be a referee?
The applicant’s principal will usually be a referee. Others should be those who know the applicant’s work well and can communicate how they meet the standards and verify the evidence the applicant has provided against the standards/descriptors.
What format should referees use for the Referee Statements?
Referees should use the Referee Verification Form for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher.
Can applicants defer?
Applicants may withdraw from the certification process once assessment has begun but they may not be able to claim back the assessment fee. A Withdrawal of Notification of Intention to Apply form must be completed by the applicant. Please contact us to obtain the link to the withdrawal form.
When are applicants appointed as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers?
Applicants are responsible for informing their school/employer of their successful certification as a Highly Accomplished Teacher or Lead Teacher. QCT certificates of Teacher Certification are dated as of 31 December of that year.
When does a successful applicant’s salary reflect their certification?
If a successful applicant informs their school/employer within six months of being certified, their salary at the Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher paypoint will be paid from the date of certification. If the school/employer is not informed of certification for more than six months, the Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher paypoint will be paid from the date the employer was informed of certification and evidence was provided.
What happens if an applicant changes jobs/sectors/employer during the certification process?
This may affect an applicant’s ability to continue to meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants should contact QCT to discuss their circumstances.
Will certification be recognised if an applicant changes schools/employers?
Catholic School Authorities in Queensland have agreed to recognise Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher certification. Successful applicants will need to provide proof of their certification. Non-Catholic schools in Queensland and all interstate schools will have their own arrangements. Certified teachers should check directly with these schools.
School Leaders
Do school leaders need to attend the online information webinars conducted by QCT?
Certification is an intensive process for teachers and requires a substantial commitment to put together a portfolio of evidence. It is recommended that school leaders familiarise themselves with the supportive resources available on the QCT website as well as engage in QCT information webinars.
Who is the Certifying Authority?
The Queensland College of Teachers.
Can a school/employer pay for the assessment?
Schools/employers may pay the assessment fees but there is no onus on them to do so.
Who undertakes the assessment?
Catholic Education Queensland Limited (CEQL) assessors are a mix of Queensland Catholic school teachers and Catholic School Authority office-based staff. Each has met and continues to meet the CEQL eligibility to be an assessor and has undertaken rigorous AITSL-approved training and is accredited as an assessor by AITSL.
Who should be a referee?
The applicant’s principal will usually be a referee. Others should be those who know the applicant’s work well and can communicate how they meet the standards and verify the evidence the applicant has provided against the standards/descriptors.
What are the role and responsibilities of the principal in the certification process?
Principals provide critical support to teachers undertaking Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher certification. They are involved in each stage of the process and perform activities at each assessment stage which are outlined on this website here.
Can principals delegate their roles and responsibilities in the certification process?
Principals may delegate their role in the assessment process to other members of the school leadership team who have sufficient knowledge of an applicant’s practice. Delegates must be nominated by the principal using this form.
Does the applicant nominate their referees?
Yes. One referee must be the applicant’s current principal.
How many referees should an applicant nominate?
Applicants must nominate 3-5 referees. One must be the applicant’s current principal.
Can applicants nominate referees they have worked with in previous roles?
Yes, but one referee must be the applicant’s current principal.
When are applicants appointed as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers?
Applicants are responsible for informing their school/employer of their successful certification as a Highly Accomplished Teacher or Lead Teacher.
When does a successful applicant’s salary reflect their certification?
If a successful applicant informs their school/employer within six months of being certified, their salary at the Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher paypoint will be paid from the date of certification. If the school/employer is not informed of certification for more than six months, the Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher paypoint will be paid from the date the employer was informed of certification and evidence was provided.
Will certification be recognised if an applicant changes schools/employers?
Catholic School Authorities in Queensland have agreed to recognise Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher certification. Successful applicants will need to provide proof of their certification. Non-Catholic schools in Queensland and all interstate schools will have their own arrangements. Certified teachers should check directly with these schools.
Referees
What do referees need to know to undertake their role of applicant support?
Certification is an intensive process for teachers and requires a substantial commitment to put together a portfolio of evidence. It is recommended that school leaders familiarise themselves with the supportive resources available on the QCT website as well as engage in QCT information webinars.
Who is the Certifying Authority?
The Queensland College of Teachers.
Who undertakes the assessment?
Catholic Education Queensland Limited (CEQL) assessors are a mix of Queensland Catholic school teachers and Catholic School Authority office-based staff. Each has met and continues to meet the CEQL eligibility to be an assessor and has undertaken rigorous AITSL-approved training and is accredited as an assessor by AITSL.
Who should be a referee?
The applicant’s principal will usually be a referee. Others should be those who know the applicant’s work well and can communicate how they meet the standards and verify the evidence the applicant has provided against the standards/descriptors.
Does the applicant nominate their referees?
Yes. One referee must be the applicant’s current principal.
What format should referees use for the Referee Statements?
Referees should use the Referee Verification Form for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher.
How many referees should an applicant nominate?
Applicants must nominate 3-5 referees. One must be the applicant’s current principal.
Can applicants nominate referees they have worked with in previous roles?
Yes but one referee must be the applicant’s current principal.
When are applicants appointed as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers?
Applicants are responsible for informing their school/employer of their successful certification as a Highly Accomplished Teacher or Lead Teacher.
Will certification be recognised if an applicant changes schools/employers?
Catholic School Authorities in Queensland have agreed to recognise Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher certification. Successful applicants will need to provide proof of their certification. Non-Catholic schools in Queensland and all interstate schools will have their own arrangements. Certified teachers should check directly with these schools.
Assessors
Who is the Certifying Authority?
The Queensland College of Teachers.
Who undertakes the assessment?
Catholic Education Queensland Limited (CEQL) assessors are a mix of Queensland Catholic school teachers and Catholic School Authority office-based staff. Each has met and continues to meet the CEQL eligibility to be an assessor and has undertaken rigorous AITSL-approved training and is accredited as an assessor by AITSL.
What if the Assessor(s) and applicant know each other or have previously worked together?
Applicants must declare this and any other conflicts of interest to QCT before the assessment begins.
Who provides the equipment for online meetings with Assessors?
It is expected that applicants will use equipment within their school or, if they choose, their own equipment.
How many practice/classroom sessions will be assessed in Stage 2?
At least two 30-minute sessions will be assessed. Assessors will discuss with applicants if additional sessions are required.
Who should be a referee?
The applicant’s principal will usually be a referee. Others should be those who know the applicant’s work well and can communicate how they meet the standards and verify the evidence the applicant has provided against the standards/descriptors.
When are applicants appointed as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers?
Applicants are responsible for informing their school/employer of their successful certification as a Highly Accomplished Teacher or Lead Teacher.
Will certification be recognised if an applicant changes schools/employers?
Catholic School Authorities in Queensland have agreed to recognise Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher certification. Successful applicants will need to provide proof of their certification. Non-Catholic schools in Queensland and all interstate schools will have their own arrangements. Certified teachers should check directly with these schools.
