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General Information for Casual Teachers
Casual Teacher Appproval Process
Casual Teacher Renewal Process

General Information for Casual Teachers in ACT Government Schools

Application for Casual Teaching

Applications for casual teaching employment are welcomed throughout the year. Approvals are granted for a year (1 April to 31 March the following year) and must be renewed each year.

All teachers seeking casual employment must meet Directorate approval requirements before they can commence teaching. This involves providing proof of current teacher registration, submitting an application form with referees' names, providing certain documents, and possibly attending an interview. The documents required are listed in the application form and must be supplied before the approval process can proceed. Please read carefully the information relating to teaching qualifications and Statements of Service from previous employers.

Copies of original documents may be certified as true copies – full details of persons authorised to certify documents can be found within the application pack. Alternatively, original documents may be presented for copying and certification to staff at either the HR Unit Higgins Annexe, Fullagar Crescent, Higgins phone
6205 9284 or the HR Recruitment Services Section, 220 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon phone 6205 5000.

Teacher Registration – ACT Teacher Quality Institute

The ACT Government has established the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) under the Teacher Quality National Partnership to enhance the standing of the teaching profession in the ACT. Under the provisions of the ACT Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010, TQI has responsibility to register or grant permission to teach to all ACT teachers. All other states and the Northern Territory have a similar teacher regulatory body and require teachers to be registered or accredited with this body. Further details about registering with the TQI can be found here.

Casual Teacher Approval Process

Step 1: Register with the TQI
Step 2: Once you have received TQI registration you will need to submit an application for employment.

If you:
• have not previously worked with the Directorate or
• have not worked with the Directorate for a period of three years

Submit an Application for Employment as a Casual Teacher in ACT Public Schools  (1mb)

Inquiries should be made by phoning (02) 6205 5000 or via e-mail: det.sims@act.gov.au

Completed applications must be returned to Education and Training Directorate, Recruitment Services,
GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.

Teachers approved for casual teaching may be employed on a short-term contract. A short-term contract is for a period of 21 continuous school days but less than the full school term.

Teachers are only eligible to be employed on long-term contracts if they have applied in the Teacher Recruitment Round (Link to Teaching in Canberra page). Long-term contracts are for periods of a complete term or more.

Please read our Privacy Statement regarding the collection of personal information.

Casual Teacher Renewal Process

Identification Cards issued to casual teachers are current until 31 March each year. Applications for Renewal of Casual approval for the next school year need to be submitted to the Directorate's Recruitment Services area by 31 March. You will need to provide proof of current teacher registration with the TQI at the time of renewal.

Application for Renewal of Approval of Casual Teaching 2011  (114KB)
Personal Details Form  (429kb) (please contact Human Resources on 6205 5000 for further advice)
Superannuation Choice Forms  (313KB)

This form may also be used if you are applying for a new approval if you are:
• a part-time teacher applying for additional Casual Teaching.
• a current teacher on Leave Without Pay (LWOP)
• a recently retired / resigned teacher applying for Casual Teaching (must be within the last three years)

If you are applying under one of the three categories listed above you will also need to submit the Superannuation Choice form and a Tax File Number Declaration form (available from selected newsagents and most Post Offices).

If you have not worked for the Directorate for more than three years you may be required to submit a complete application pack. Please contact Human Resources on 6205 5000 for advice.

Application for Renewal of Approval of Casual Teaching 2012 will be available from January 2012.

Casual Teaching Salary

Salary is paid at a daily (or hourly) rate ranging from $278 ($46.33 hourly) to $304 ($50.67 hourly), depending on qualifications status and years of completed teaching experience.

The daily and hourly rates of pay represent total entitlements in relation to casual employment except for the possibility of the accrual of a long service leave entitlement (all periods of employment accumulate to count towards eligibility for long service leave purposes, provided there is no break in service of greater than 12 months), and a minimum 9 percent superannuation benefit. Teachers paid at casual rates do not have entitlement to personal leave, maternity leave, recreation leave, stand-down with pay or to payment for public holidays.

Statements of Service

A statement of service must be on the letterhead of a recognised employing authority and indicate:
• the date of commencement
• the date of cessation
• leave without pay including the total number of days taken, if nil this must be indicated
• where the employment was; and whether full-time or part-time
• if part-time the total number of days/hours or type of fraction

Salary increments are awarded for each completed year (200 X 6 hour days) of recognised teaching. It is, therefore, essential they are provided so salary status can be assessed. Your prior teaching service will only be recognised from the date an official Statement of Service, meeting all the above requirements, is received in this office. It is your responsibility to provide this evidence from employers other than the Directorate.

Please note: No back adjustment of salary will be made for any period of employment undertaken at a lower rate of salary where no Statement of Service or an incomplete statement were provided.
A fax or e-mail from your previous employer to the Directorate (not to you) is acceptable provided it satisfies the above requirement. However, a hard copy of the fax must be forwarded to the Directorate's Recruitment Services area on Fax (02) 6205 9417.

Casual Teacher Qualification Requirements including Overseas Qualifications and English Language Proficiency

To be eligible to be employed as a casual teacher in the ACT you must have current registration or approval to teach with the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI).
Teacher qualifications and English language proficiency will be assessed by the TQI  in accordance with their regulations. Please refer to the TQI web-site for details of the registration process and to access the online registration application. Full details about registration requirements with the TQI can be found here.