Five-yearly renewal

Fully registered teachers hold registration for five years. This requires paying an annual fee and applying for renewal in myQCT every 5 years.

You can renew your registration even if you have not been teaching.

The cost of applying for a five-yearly renewal is the usual annual fee, provided you pay and apply by the due date.

    Purpose of renewal 

    Full registration requires high standards of professional practice and conduct. Renewing teachers are confirming that their knowledge and skills are up to date. Checks confirm to the QCT that their conduct and behaviour continue to be to a standard acceptable to the teaching profession. This contributes to the protection of children in Queensland schools.

    Maintaining registration

    Maintaining your teacher registration matters – watch the below video to find out why.

    Five reasons to maintain your teacher registration

    Here are five reasons to maintain your registration.

    1) It's more affordable.

    Reapplying costs more than three years' worth of annual fees.
    Maintaining your registration may be the cheaper option.

    2) It's easier and simpler.

    Having to reapply for registration means a full new application.
    You'll be required to supply documentation and undergo processing.
    Renewal is a quick and easy online process that can be completed through your myQCT account.

    3) Qualification changes.

    Your qualifications may no longer meet current requirements.
    Letting your registration lapse may mean you'll need to complete additional study to be eligible for registration.

    4) Employment requirements.

    Are you currently on leave?
    Your employer may still require you to maintain registration.
    You are able to renew and remain registered even if you are not currently teaching.

    5) Non-teaching roles with children.

    Registered teachers are eligible to apply for an exemption card, which can be used for other roles that work with children including childcare, tutoring and volunteering.

    Renewal takes five minutes every five years.
    Keeping your teacher registration protects your career opportunities and ensures you're able to resume teaching without disruptions.

    Watch
    01:23

    Renewal guide

    The Renewal guide [PDF 490KB] helps teachers understand the renewal process, including:

    Personal details
    • Teachers must list any names they've used in the past five years, including first, middle or last, even if they've already told the QCT.
    • Teachers don't need to provide proof of a name change when submitting their five-yearly renewal application. They can do this separately.
    Recency of practice
    • Teachers must declare whether they have taught at least 100 days in Australia during their five-year registration period.

    If a teacher does not meet the recency of practice requirement, a Returning to Teaching (RTT) condition is applied to their registration. This does not imply a reduction in status or credentials, and the condition is not displayed on the Queensland Register of Teachers.

    Continuing professional development (CPD)
    • If a teacher has recency of practice, they must declare if they have met CPD requirements. This means 20 hours of CPD for any calendar year in which they taught for 20 days or more in an Australian school.
    • While teachers must keep CPD records, they do not need to submit them when applying for renewal.
    • If teachers have not met CPD requirements, they are able to explain why in the application form.
    Suitability to teach

    The renewal application asks teachers for details of:

    • any criminal history charges or offences anywhere in the previous five years
    • any employment as a teacher that was ended by an employer for issues of competency or professional conduct in the previous five years
    • any registration as a teacher outside of Queensland that has been refused or affected in the previous five years.

    A new screening will also be conducted with the Queensland Police Service, or Blue Card Services if the teacher holds a current blue card.

    Conditions on registration
    • Teachers need to comply with any conditions on registration.
    • If a teacher has an RTT condition, they will be asked specific questions on the form.
    Last updated:
    16 June 2026