2022 teacher transfer appeal process
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 127 No 7, 30 September 2022, page no. 8
Although the department in recent years has reduced the number of involuntary required transfers, some QTU members either receive a required transfer that they do not want or do not receive a transfer to a requested geographic area and/or region they have applied for. There are appeal processes in both circumstances.
The transfer appeal process
For a teacher to be successful in appealing a required transfer, whether it is inter-regional or intra-regional, they must provide evidence that the transfer is unreasonable.
If teachers have concerns over a transfer decision, they should discuss them with their school principal in the first instance. If the matter cannot be resolved, the teacher can submit a written request for review to their school principal. The written request must include sufficient information to enable the concerns to be resolved, including any action that the teacher would like to see taken.
Local action: The base school principal will attempt to resolve the matter at the local level, in consultation with their regional HR consultant. A meeting/teleconference will be held between the teacher, a member of the school’s administration, and a regional HR consultant to discuss the teacher’s concerns. The teacher may invite a representative of the Union or other support person to attend. The teacher will receive an email confirming the outcome of this stage of the process, along with the reasons for the decision, any further action to be taken, and the next steps in the review process.
Internal review – regional review panel: Teachers can lodge an appeal with regional office if they are unsuccessful in resolving the matter at the local action level. The teacher will receive written notification of the review decision, including the reasons for the decision, the information considered and the next steps in the review process.
External review: There is an external review/appeal stage if the local action and internal review – regional review panel do not resolve the appeal. Teachers have 21 days from the date they receive the written internal review decision to lodge an external review application.
Intra-regional transfer appeals
In relation to an intra-regional transfer (a transfer to a school within 50 minutes of a teacher’s current residence), the unreasonableness threshold is difficult to attain, as for most teachers a transfer under these circumstances will be considered reasonable. In some cases, teachers may have compassionate circumstances in relation to the health and wellbeing of immediate family members, and caring and other responsibilities may limit their travel time. In others, a medical condition may result in teachers having to limit their travel time. In such cases, specific specialist medical and other evidence needs to be provided to the department as part of the review process, and should have been provided when the transfer application was lodged.
2022 transfer release date
In 2022, most transfers (including guaranteed transfers) were due to be released on Thursday, 15 September, although it should be noted that with the introduction of the continuous/ongoing transfer process, some applicants will have received their email before this date.
Teachers will receive emails either outlining a transfer or indicating that a transfer has not yet been granted. If you did not receive a transfer on 15 September, be aware that the department will continue to consider your transfer application into 2023. Again, with the introduction of the continuous transfer process, all applications remain active until a transfer is worked out or the teacher withdraws the application. Members in this situation should contact both the department and the QTU to seek further information and advice about the prospects of transfer before the start of the 2023 school year. In previous years, transfers have continued to be released after the end of Term 3.
Relevant teacher transfer appeal information is provided:
- on the QTU website at https://www.qtu.asn.au/seek-advice/appealing-transfer-decision
- on the DoE intranet site at https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/Services/HumanResources/payrollhr/careers/managingyourcareer/teachertransfer Pagesteachertransferinformationand guidelines.aspx.
Appeal timelines will be published on the QTU website later in Term 3.
For further information and/or advice about teacher transfer reviews, please contact the Queensland Teachers Assist Desk on 1300 11 7823 or visit the QTU website www.qtu.asn.au