New and beginning teachers
New educator connect is the QTU newsletter for teachers in their first five years of teaching and student teacher members.
Branch Meetings
The QTU welcomes new and beginning teachers who are commencing their careers in the Department of Education and Training.
Resources
The QTU has a range of useful resources:
- New educator connect - the e-newsletter for new and beginning teachers
- online brochures on many topics, with some specific to new and beginning teachers
- access to the QTU library - find out more here
- all QTU members should receive the Union's journal - The Queensland Teachers' Journal - eight times per year, with many useful articles for teachers and specific articles for new teachers.
- QTU new educators guide - is currently being updated. If you need advice, the simplest way is to contact the Queensland Teachers Assist Desk (QTAD).
- Internship agreements - between the QTU and Queensland universities which have Education courses
Assistance and Advice
QTU members have a range of options available when needing assistance:
- talk to your school's QTU Rep
- contact the Union's Queensland Teachers' Assist Desk (QTAD) for quick advice in relation to pay, leave and other working conditions by phone, email or online form
- contact your local QTU Organiser - there are eight QTU offices across the state.
Cultural Safety in Schools
Cultural Safety in SchoolsDepartment of Education’s Beginning Teacher Support Payment
Supporting new teachers in regional QueenslandFitness Passport
Fitness Passport is a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. It provides unlimited access to a wide range of gyms, pools and fitness centres, offering greater choice, convenience and value than traditional gym memberships.
Click here for more information.
Fitness Passport Program ResourcesHELP Debt Reduction
Are you eligible for a HELP debt reduction? Ongoing problems with HELP debt reductions HELP Debt Reduction for very remote teachersMandatory training and beginning teacher induction
You will have participated in the mandatory all-staff training (MAST) online modules, as well as modules that form part of a beginning teacher induction program. While not mandatory, the Beginning Teacher Learning Suite (an online resource consisting of ten modules) is highly recommended. In addition to the Learning Suite, new teachers in 2026 are supported by the "Early Career Teacher Program: Starting Successfully".
The Starting Successfully Early Career Teacher Program supports new teachers with targeted professional learning, mentoring and wellbeing support. It builds teaching confidence, strengthens practice, fosters professional connections, and helps generate evidence for full registration, ensuring a strong start in Queensland state schools and better outcomes for students.
Education Queensland - Early Career Teacher Program: Starting Successfully Education Queensland - Education Futures InstitutePermission to Teach (PTT)
The QTU and IEU-QNT are pleased to release their Joint Position Statement: Industrial Guidelines for Permission to Teach (PTT) Employees, a milestone document establishing shared union expectations for the employment, support and professional development of PTT employees across Queensland schools. Developed in response to the significant growth in PTT approvals and increasing reports of inconsistent pay and working conditions, the guidelines provide a practical framework for employers, employees, unions and universities supporting the successful transition of PTT employees into the teaching profession.
The guidelines outline minimum expectations around salary classification, workload, mentoring, practicum support, and other key employment conditions. They are intended to inform workplace discussions, enterprise bargaining, and advocacy efforts, while helping ensure that PTT employees receive the support they need to complete their studies, thrive in the classroom, and build long-term careers in teaching.
Read the full resources below to learn more about the development of the guidelines and how members can use them in their workplaces.
Journal article: Unions release joint PTT statement Joint Position Statement: Industrial Guidelines for Permission to Teach (PTT) EmployeesPTT is a short-term, interim form of QCT approval that allows a person to teach prior to qualification, which is granted if a registered teacher is not available to fill a vacancy. PTT employees have the same working conditions as all beginning teachers, but they should receive additional guidance and support, given they are not yet fully qualified and will be juggling work and study commitments.
Members employed under PTT provisions should submit their academic transcripts to the QCT upon completion of their qualifications. You should also provide them to DoE, as it will not automatically transition a teacher to the higher salary scale (band 2 step 1) upon graduation.
Departmental staff can see detailed program information via the Education Futures Institute (EFI) Catalogue.
The DOE Education Futures Institute External link will also help you build professional expertise and networks as you transition from preservice to beginning teacher, and across your teaching career in Queensland state schools.
Queensland College of Teachers - Permission to teach Queensland College of Teachers - Supporting preservice teachers on PTTTurn to Teaching (TTT)
TTT interns commence in schools after undertaking the first year of a Master of Teaching degree. They have a .5 teaching load, but with a full-time salary, and have access to the same entitlements as a full-time teacher, with support from a supervising teacher and a mentor teacher.* Interns are employed under a Permission to Teach (PTT) registration arrangement. They must be fully supervised during the first term, and ongoing supervision and mentoring must be provided through the internship year. They are required to meet the gradual release indicators’ (GRI), which are outlined in their internship agreement. They will be assessed against the GRIs at the end of each term.
Teach Queensland - Turn to Teaching Internship ProgramUpdate your details
Remember to keep us up to date when you change your school, address, employment or other contact details and head to the members' portal "myQTU".