Taking a Break from Teaching in the ACT?
This information is for teachers who are planning to take extended leave, work overseas or interstate, leave the profession temporarily, or otherwise stop teaching for a period of time but may wish to return in the future.
What are my options?
If you are leaving teaching or taking an extended period of leave, you generally have two options:
Option 1: Maintain your ACT registration
This is usually the simplest option if you think you may return to teaching.
To maintain your registration you must:
- Renew your registration each year.
- Maintain a current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration.
- Complete the required professional learning requirements.
- 100 hours of professional development over the last five years or 20 hours per year on a pro rata basis
- Retiree Teacher Condition – 25 hours of professional development over the last five years or 5 years each year on a pro rata basis
- Meet any applicable professional practice requirements for your registration category:
- Full registration – 100 days over the last five years or 20 days each year on a pro rata basis (Retiree Teacher Condition - 50 days over the last five years or 5 days per year on a pro rata basis)
- Provisional registration – Nil
- Early Childhood Teacher registration – Nil
- Keep your contact details up to date on the TQI portal.
Option 2: Allow your registration to lapse
You may choose not to renew your registration while you are away.
This means that if you later decide to return to teaching you will need to make a new application for registration and provide supporting documentation. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide evidence of English language proficiency and satisfy current registration requirements.
For more information about both options, see below.
Professional Learning Requirements
Registered teachers are generally required to complete:
- 20 hours of professional learning each year.
- 100 hours of professional learning over a five-year period.
If exceptional circumstances prevent you from meeting the annual requirement, you may be able to request a Professional Learning Variation Plan.
Professional Practice Requirements (Full Registration Only)
Teachers holding full registration must maintain recent professional practice.
Generally, this means:
- Completing at least 20 days of professional practice each year; and
- Accumulating at least 100 days of professional practice over a five-year period.
Professional practice may include:
- Teaching in an Australian or New Zealand school.
- Teaching in an approved early childhood education and care service.
- Assessing student learning in government-endorsed education services.
- Educational leadership or administration roles that directly influence teaching and learning.
The professional practice requirements do not apply to:
- Provisional registration;
- Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) registration; or
- Permit to Teach holders.
What if I cannot meet the professional practice requirement?
The legislation recognises that some teachers may not be able to meet the professional practice requirement because of circumstances such as parental leave, illness, caring responsibilities, overseas postings, or other periods away from teaching.
When renewing, teachers can explain their circumstances and TQI will assess the requirements over a five-year period.
The registration pathway depends on how long you have been away.
Returning within 2 years
If you previously held full registration and return to teaching within two years, you can generally apply again for full registration.
Returning after more than 2 years but less than 5 years
If you previously held full registration and did not obtain full registration through a TQI school-based assessment process, you may need:
- A Professional Practice Report from your principal confirming you are teaching at the Proficient career stage of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers; and
- Evidence that you taught for at least 180 days in an Australian or New Zealand school during the five years before applying.
The ACT Teacher Quality Institute Act also requires a person applying for full registration to have recent teaching experience in the five years before the application and meet all current eligibility requirements.
Returning after more than 5 years
If you have been away from teaching for more than five years, you will generally need to apply for provisional registration and work towards full registration again.
What if I currently hold Provisional Registration?
If your registration lapses and you later want to return to teaching, you will generally need to make a new application for provisional registration through TQI.
Before Deciding to Let Your Registration Lapse
Consider:
- Whether you expect to return to teaching within the next few years.
- Whether maintaining registration will be easier than reapplying later.
- Whether your employer requires you to remain registered during a period of leave to preserve employment entitlements.
- Whether you can continue to meet professional learning and WWVP requirements while away.