Why join the Queensland Teachers' Union?

More than 40,000 teachers in the Queensland Government’s primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, senior colleges, and TAFE colleges belong to the QTU, 96 per cent of the state total.

We have been fighting for the rights of Queensland teachers since 1889 and today, as then, we are here to help you in times of difficulty, to negotiate the best pay and conditions and to work on your behalf to promote your career.

Working for you

Wages come first

Your salary is obviously hugely important to you. It affects your quality of life and impacts on the satisfaction you derive from your role, and should also reflect the degree to which your skills are valued by the wider community. That’s why the QTU considers campaigning for the improvement of salaries as one of its most important roles.

Improved conditions

The past decade has also seen the QTU fight for and win a reduction in class sizes in years 4-10 and improvements in the Remote Area Incentives Scheme, improved behaviour management support for schools, and further help for students with disabilities. The Union secured the creation of a Head of Curriculum position in primary and special schools, and has also been very successful in ensuring permanent employment is maximised in Queensland schools.

Standing up for state schools

As the representative of teachers in public education facilities throughout Queensland, the QTU also has a responsibility to campaign for adequate funding for public education and for the implementation of proper education policies and goals. This is a duty that the Union takes very seriously.

It's your insurance policy

Joining the Queensland Teachers’ Union is like taking out an insurance policy on your career. Things can go wrong at any time, and it pays to have someone on your side.

Legal assistance

Being a member of the QTU means having the reassurance of the very best legal and professional protection.

The service offered to QTU members is unrivalled in the teaching profession, helping protect members against the legal pitfalls teachers face day to day, such as:

• accidents involving students in the playground
• physical contact allegations
• parent complaints
• verbal abuse from students or parents
• departmental investigations.

Any legal action is expensive. Without legal aid, you could face severe financial problems from which you might never fully recover. But with the QTU, you are no longer on your own.

Grievance service

Need support? The Union regularly takes up the cases of individual members who feel unjustly treated in relation to salary, classification, leave entitlements, transfer expenses, etc.

Information and advice

Do you have questions on issues such as playground duty, non-contact time, transfers, superannuation, workers’ compensation and leave provisions? The Union can give you the answers. The Queensland Teachers’ Assist Desk (QTAD) provides members with quick, simple advice on pay, leave and general working conditions, either over the phone or via email. For more involved issues, a Union officer is always on hand to help.

Professional services

The Union will be your voice on all statutory bodies and their advisory committees (including the Queensland College of Teachers and the Queensland Studies Authority), and also on university committees and many professional advisory groups and working parties.

Members services

In addition, the Union also provides:

• the QTU website
• the Queensland Teachers’ Journal and other publications exclusively for members
• the QTU Library
• the Queensland Teachers’ Education Centre (QTEC)
• access to Teachers’ Union Health
• access to Union Shopper
• access to Members’ Equity Bank.

Click here to join today