Fee waived to get more early childhood teachers registered in the ACT

Registration with the TQI is one of a range of measures to better recognise the contribution early childhood educators make to our children’s future. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.

Canberra’s early childhood educators can now register to teach in the ACT for free as part of an effort to increase the number of those signing up.

The ACT Teacher Registration Framework was expanded from 1 April 2024 as part of a push to better recognise early childhood teachers’ contribution to children’s education.

While registration with the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) is mandatory for educators in school settings catering for kindergarten to year 12, registration for those in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings is voluntary, so the ACT Government is waiving the $115 annual registration fee for the first two years.

Early Childhood Development Minister Yvette Berry said early childhood teachers deserved professional recognition for their crucial role in a child’s brain-building years.

“We know how important early childhood education is, and early childhood teacher registration helps to properly value the profession and promote early childhood education as a rewarding career choice,” she said.

To be eligible for registration, educators must have the appropriate qualifications, hold a current Working with Vulnerable People registration, meet English language requirements, and either be Australian or New Zealand citizens or hold an appropriate Australian work visa.

TQI CEO Lyndall Read strongly encouraged eligible early childhood educators to register.

“It is important to us that early childhood teachers have the opportunity to be included in professional recognition for the quality teaching and development facilitated in the early years,” she said.

“Early childhood teacher registration will also bring opportunities for early childhood educators to engage and connect through facilitated networks, TQI support sessions and events and professional learning offerings. Registered early childhood teachers will be able to engage with Certification at Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher levels.”

All other teachers in the ACT have been required to hold a TQI registration to work in any Canberra school since 2011.