TQI is excited to share details of the broadening of the ACT Teacher Registration Framework through the introduction, on 1 April 2024, of a third category of registration – Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) Registration.
It is important to TQI that ECTs have the opportunity to be included in professional recognition for the quality teaching and development facilitated in the early years, aligning to recent changes to the Education Act to recognise that children start learning from birth and to recognise the importance of a quality early childhood education.
From 1 April 2024, teachers working in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings will be able to access teacher registration. Registration will be voluntary in these settings as we introduce the ECT registration category. (ECEC settings registered under the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Act 2011 include preschools attached to schools who are registered as an education and care provider). Teachers teaching K-12 in ACT school settings; registration remains mandatory.
We look forward to welcoming Early Childhood Teachers to the Teacher Register in the ACT.
Eligibility for ECT Registration
| Eligibility Requirements | Early Childhood | Provisional | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
Holds a teaching qualification consisting of at least 4 years of academic study and including an accredited initial teacher education program *NB: Teachers holding an accredited birth – 8 or birth - 12 qualification can choose Early Childhood or Provisional | Not Required | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Holds an ACECQA approved ECT level qualification (or ACECQA approved as equivalent) | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 180 days of teaching in Australia or New Zealand | Not required | Not required | ✔️ |
| Oral and written English language proficiency | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Working with vulnerable people registration | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Working rights in Australia | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Meets the demonstrated abilities, knowledge and skills required by the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers | Not required | Graduate level | Proficient level |
Early Childhood Teacher Registration Snapshot
- ECT registration refers to teachers who are qualified to teach in early childhood education and care services, including out of school hours care.
- As this category of registration is introduced, ECT registration will be voluntary for ECTs wishing to teach in an ECEC setting registered under the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Act 2011; this includes preschools attached to schools registered as an education and care provider.
- To be eligible, just as for teachers already registered to teach in ACT schools, ECTs will be required to have the appropriate qualifications, hold current Working with Vulnerable People registration, meet English language requirements and be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold an appropriate visa to work in Australia.
- To renew registration, ECTs will be bound by the same professional learning requirements as teachers on the current register
- Teachers with birth to eight years, or birth to 12 years qualifications may choose to be in either the ECT category of the teacher register, or the category for provisional or full registration
- Teachers qualified to teach from birth to five years may be registered in the ECT category only
Why should I become registered?
The benefits of registration include:
- Professional recognition for quality teaching and development in the early years - placing value and esteem on the teaching and learning impacts.
- ECT teachers included as an integral and equal part of the teaching profession.
- Engagement and connection through facilitated networks and communities of practice.
- Opportunities to access TQI support sessions, events, resources and professional learning.
- Opportunities to engage with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the standards).
- Opportunity to engage with Certification.
If you hold a Birth–8 or Birth–12 accredited ITE qualification, you can move to provisional registration. If you hold a Birth–5 qualification, you will need to undertake an equivalence pathway to move to provisional registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click to download a copy of the FAQ document for further information.
Information Sessions
We will be conducting many information sessions to support the introduction of ECT registration, click to download a copy of the session timetable including links to all online sessions.