Information For...

Teacher Registration Project

Project Background
Consultation Paper
Teacher Registration Consultation / Survey
Key Issues
Useful Links

Project Background

In August 2004 the ACT Standing Committee on Education’s report “Teaching in the ACT: Shaping the future” included a series of recommendations to improve the quality and status of the teaching profession in the ACT. The recommendation that dealt specifically with the issue of teacher registration read:
"The Committee recommends that the Government establish a teacher registration board as a matter of priority and make registration a compulsory requirement for all teachers in the ACT as soon as practicable."

The Government responded in June 2005 to the Standing Committee’s recommendation in the following manner:

"The Government will explore possible options for ACT teacher registration ...........
and monitor developments on the national agenda ..........

In developing a policy position on the feasibility of teacher registration for the ACT consideration needs to be given to the different models from other states, the costs of introducing such a scheme, as well as registration requirements in other professions. The department will consult with key stakeholders including the non-government sector and teacher unions, in examining registration issues related specifically to the ACT before proceeding on compulsory teacher registration.”

The Minister for Education in seeking to progress the issue of teacher registration for the ACT has established a peak body titled the Reference Group. One of the key responsibilities of this group will be consulting with the ACT community and the teaching workforce. Membership of the Reference Group includes representatives from:

the ACT Association of Independent Schools
the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese Catholic Education Office
University of Canberra / Australian Catholic University
ACT Branch of Australian Education Union
ACT-NSW Branch of Independent Education Union
the ACT Department of Education and Training.

The Group has an independent chair, Cheryl O’Connor, Chief Executive of the Australian College of Educators.

Consultation Paper

Teacher Registration in the Australian Capital Territory: Community Consultation paper provides you with the opportunity to contribute towards shaping the quality and status of the teaching profession in the ACT.

The comments and suggestions in each submission will be considered carefully so that recommendations are informed by the collective views of all ACT education stakeholders. Submissions will be received until September 28, 2007.

You should be aware that unless you notify us differently submissions will be published on the project website.

Minister of Education and Training Media Release 14 May 2007 (34kb)

Teacher Registration in the Australian Capital Territory - Community Consultation Paper (267kb) (If you experience difficulties downloading this document, please email TeacherRegistration@act.gov.au and we will forward you a copy of the paper)

The ACT Teacher Registration Community Consultation period concluded on Friday, 28 September 2007.

Teacher Registration Community Consultation Findings (186kb)

Following the feedback to the Community Consultation paper, the Reference Group has developed a series of draft recommendations. These recommendations fall into the categories identified as key issues in the consultation paper. Comments need to be submitted by 10 December 2007.

Covering letter from Reference Group Chair (28kb)
Draft Recommendations Paper (309kb)

Key Issues

The Reference Group has commissioned and endorsed a series of papers for the purpose of exploring the key issues underpinning the concept of teacher registration. These papers are currently in draft and will be finalised when the central paper, the community consultation paper, is released. The intention of these papers is to support the development of the project and in particular complement other information to be provided during the proposed consultation process.

The key issues are: