Staying connected: Why our voice as guidance officers matters
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 4, 26 June 2026, page no.20
When I first joined the Queensland Teachers’ Union, I didn’t think much about the decision. Like many early-career educators, to me it simply felt like part of being in the profession. Nearly ten years later, I’ve come to realise just how important that decision was.
As I approach ten years as a guidance officer, I’ve had the privilege of working across a range of roles that support students directly, gone on to leading wellbeing priorities as a senior guidance officer, and then stepped into the broader leadership space as a deputy principal. Through each of these experiences, one constant has been the value of belonging to the QTU.
When I first joined the Union, it wasn’t because someone encouraged me to — it was simply “what you did”. There was an unspoken understanding that being part of the Union meant being connected: to the profession, to your colleagues and to the evolving landscape of education in Queensland.
The decision to join years ago has proven to be one of the most important in my professional journey.
Our work as guidance officers is unique. We sit at the intersection of wellbeing, learning, and leadership, supporting others while often managing complex expectations ourselves. Having a professional body that understands this complexity and advocates for our specific role is invaluable.
The QTU’s Guidance Matters communication, for example, provides tailored information that keeps us informed on issues directly affecting our practice, whether it’s workload, professional boundaries or emerging departmental policy shifts.
It’s reassuring to know that our perspectives and experiences are heard and that our concerns are represented at every level.
Over time, I’ve realised that membership isn’t just about access to information or industrial support — it’s about contributing to a collective voice. The more we engage, the stronger that voice becomes. Whether it’s attending a branch meeting, responding to surveys to provide feedback, or taking the time to read Guidance Matters, every action helps shape how our profession is understood and supported.
For colleagues who might not yet be members, or whose engagement has taken a back seat to busy workloads, I encourage you to reconnect. Guidance officers play a crucial role in schools, and our professional identity deserves to be represented with strength and clarity. The QTU provides the advocacy and community to ensure that happens, but it’s our collective involvement that gives it power.
Our work as guidance officers centres on helping others find their voice. Being an active part of the Queensland Teachers’ Union ensures that we, too, use ours together.