In 2022 the department is increasing the number of teachers who are eligible for a guaranteed transfer.

Teachers who have undertaken the minimum service in 4-7 rating schools will be guaranteed a transfer to either two or three geographic areas. Teachers with 20 or more transfer points and teachers in AMP centres will only be required to nominate two geographic area preferences. Teachers with less than 20 transfer points will be required to nominate three geographic area preferences. The QTU continues to negotiate with the department to reduce the number of geographic areas teachers must identify for a guaranteed return transfer. The department has acknowledged that since the inception of guaranteed return transfers, about 95% of applicants (who had 20 transfer points or above) received their first preference and this outcome supports the QTU’s request that not all teachers should not have to submit 2 or 3 geographic preferences. The QTU notes in 2022 some guaranteed transfer applicants will only have to nominate 2 geographic areas which is a slight improvement on past requirements.

From this year the teacher transfer process will change from a cyclic process to a continuous application and transfer process. Teachers can apply for a transfer at any time of the year (after 26 April) and will be notified at the time their transfer is confirmed. Transfer applications will remain active until a placement is made. Prior to their placement confirmation teachers also have the option to withdraw their transfer application if their circumstances change.

The QTU advises teachers wanting a transfer for the following year to submit their transfer application as soon as possible after the relevant opening date to ensure their application is considered from the earliest possible time.

The QTU has been advocating for this change for some time and it is hoped more vacancies in preferred areas will be filled more quickly by teachers on transfer thereby reducing the number of temporary teacher engagements that have been required to date to preserve vacancies for transfers at the beginning of the following year.

Compassionate transfers – From 2022 there will only be one category of compassionate transfer applications and a new process for considering these applications will be implemented involved a central panel with QTU representation. There will no longer be a pressing and personal circumstances category.

Removal of ‘Expression of preference (EOP)’ as a transfer type in MyHR - Teachers wanting a transfer will submit a transfer application.

Members interested in the guaranteed transfer process and wishing to return to a specific region or geographic area e.g., Sunshine Coast, should obtain clear advice from the QTU and the department about what service will deliver a transfer to their preferred area or areas. For example, 3 years in a 4-point school will not usually guarantee a transfer to the Sunshine Coast geographic area for a primary school teacher.

Members who are currently in rural/remote areas and are applying for transfer should note that as in 2021 they will only apply for geographic areas. Teachers who prefer certain schools in a geographic area are advised to list these schools in their application and to contact these schools.

Members should lodge their applications as soon as possible after the opening date i.e., 26 April.