In certain circumstances the QCT may suspend a teacher’s registration or permission to teach. Suspension means a teacher is unable to teach in a school while suspended.
If suspended, a teacher must return their certificate of registration or permission to teach to the QCT within 14 days.
A teacher's registration or permission to teach may be suspended for any of the following reasons.
If an approved teacher is charged with a serious offence the QCT must suspend the teacher’s registration or permission to teach once notified about the charge.
For a serious offence suspension the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) must review the continuation of the suspension to decide whether the teacher's case is exceptional in which case it may be ended provided the best interests of children are served.
Should the teacher be convicted of a serious offence while registered, the QCT must cancel the teacher's registration or permission to teach.
More on cancellation of registration.
The QCT may suspend an approved teacher’s registration or permission to teach if the QCT reasonably believes the teacher poses an unacceptable risk of harm to children.
For an unacceptable risk of harm suspension QCAT must review the continuation of the suspension to decide whether the teacher poses an unacceptable risk of harm to children.
The QCT must notify the teacher, the employing authority for, and the principal of, each school at which the teacher is employed and QCAT.
The QCT must also notify the agency responsible for conducting 'Working with Children Checks' (Blue Card Services) of the suspension.
The QCT must refer the matter to QCAT. QCAT will give the teacher a notice inviting the teacher to make a submission about the suspension. QCAT must make a decision about the continuation of the suspension not more than 14 days after QCAT receives the teacher’s submission or the 28-day period for making a submission ends.
If the teacher is acquitted of the charge, the charge is withdrawn, dismissed or discontinued the QCT must refer the matter to QCAT to determine if there is a ground for disciplinary action against the teacher.
Where a ground for disciplinary action has been established, an order available to QCAT is to suspend a teacher’s registration for a period.
More information about Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
If a person holds full registration, provisional registration or permission to teach that is subject to a condition and the person fails to comply with the condition the QCT may order the suspension of the person's registration or permission to teach.