All pre-service teachers enrolled in an accredited Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program, regardless of the university at which they are enrolled, must obtain approval from the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) before undertaking a professional experience placement in an ACT school.
Under section 70F of the ACT Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010 (the Act) it is a legal requirement that a pre-service teacher must not undertake professional experience in a school unless they have been approved for professional experience by TQI.
Under section 70I of the Act, approved pre-service teachers must ensure that accurate and current information is maintained on the Pre-service Teachers Register. The information required includes:
- full legal name;
- any former names by which the pre-service teacher has been known;
- date of birth;
- residential (home) address;
- preferred postal or contact address (if different from the residential address);
- telephone number;
- email address;
- details of their approved Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program and enrolment status;
Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration details, or interstate equivalent where applicable; and
details of each professional experience placement undertaken in an ACT school, including the placement school and placement dates.
Pre-service teachers are responsible for ensuring that the information recorded on the Register remains current and must notify TQI of any changes to their personal details, enrolment status, or WWVP registration within the required timeframe.
There is no fee to apply for approval as a pre-service teacher in the ACT.
Teacher Education Students should be aware that the following qualifications approved through the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) do NOT meet the requirements for Pre-service Approval in the ACT.
Only people undertaking a nationally accredited Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program are eligible for Pre-service Teacher Approval in the ACT.
Provider: Curtin University
Programs:
- Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Education)
- Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Education)
Provider: Edith Cowan University
Programs:
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
Provider: Murdoch University
Programs.
- Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching)
- Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Teaching)
Provider: Southern Cross University
Programs:
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)
You will be required to provide all required evidence of your eligibility for approval as a Pre-service Teacher and therefore it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the requirements for evidence and supporting documents.
How to Apply
When you have all of the required supporting documentation, you will be ready to apply.
Follow the instructions on creating an account before Applying for Pre-service Teacher Approval through the TQI Portal.
If you have already applied for and received approval, do not apply again. If you cannot locate your approval email please contact TQI at tqi@act.gov.au.
Once Approved
Once your Pre-service Teacher application has been approved:
- You will receive an approval email
- you can undertake a professional experience placement in an ACT school
- you can download a copy of your Pre-service Teacher approval certificate from the TQI Portal. Provide this to each school where you undertake a professional experience placement to demonstrate your approval.
- you can record your placement schools and dates
- you must notify TQI within 21 days if your name or address changes, or your WWVP registration ends or is suspended, or if you discontinue, change or complete your course.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us.