Aspiring teachers get double the support

• New pathway for teacher aides to become teachers in Queensland state schools
• Scholarships and grants for aspiring teachers to more than double to nearly $3m
• $20m Turn to Teaching Internship Program applications now open for 2024

The Palaszczuk Government is doubling the value of scholarships and grants available to aspiring teachers and starting a new supported pathway for existing teacher aides to become teachers in Queensland state schools.

Teacher aides will receive paid leave for their exams and professional experience placements, and schools will also be funded to backfill while the teacher aides are not at school. Upon registration, all teacher aides in the pathway will receive an offer of permanent employment in a priority location. 

The Department of Education’s investment in teaching scholarships and grants will also increase from just over $1.3 million this year to $2.8 million in 2024, with three programs getting a boost from 2024:

• Aspiring Teacher Grants support high achieving school leavers with up to $5,000 to study teaching at university. The number of grants will double from 25 to 50.  
  
  
• Regional, Rural and Remote Graduate Teacher scholarships support graduate preservice teachers with up to $15,000 and permanent employment are regional, rural, and remote state schools. The number of scholarships will increase from 72 to 100.
  
  
• The Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship supports aspiring and preservice Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander teachers. The number of scholarships will increase from 20 to 30 and the total value will increase from $20,000 to $40,000.

Minister Grace today also congratulated the recipients of the 2023 teaching scholarships and grants.

Applications are also now open for the next round of the Palaszczuk Government’s $20 million Turn to Teaching Internship Program, which supports people changing careers into teaching to get into the classroom sooner.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education Grace Grace:

“There has never been a better time to become a teacher in Queensland.

“Not only does our excellent Enterprise Bargaining Agreement provide Queensland teachers with some of the best pay and conditions in the country, we’re now making it even easier to become a teacher in the first place.

“We’re supporting people to study teaching degrees and transition to employment as teachers in Queensland state schools, through scholarship, grant, internship, and pathway programs.

“Teacher aides are often the lifeblood of our schools, and many are wanting to take the next step into teaching: we want to absolutely encourage and support that which is what this pathway program is all about.

“These new and expanded programs are on top of our $20 million Turn to Teaching and $10 million Trade to Teach initiatives.

“It is also my pleasure to congratulate the 2023 recipients of the Aspiring Teacher Grant; the Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship; and the Regional, Rural and Remote Graduate Teacher Scholarship.

“I wish all the recipients of these prestigious grants and scholarships the very best with their teaching careers.”

Quotes attributable to 2023 Aspiring Teacher Grant recipient, Chelsea Manton, from Goondiwindi SHS, who is now studying a Bachelor of Education at the University of Queensland.

“I applied for the grant to help seek financial assistance to cover educational expenses, such as tuition fees, textbooks, and other university-related costs. The grant will allow me to focus more on my studies and academic pursuits.

“I am excited about the opportunity to expand my knowledge and acquire new skills in my journey of becoming a teacher. I aim to make a positive difference in the lives of students, regardless of their personal circumstances.”

Further information

The $20 million Turn to Teaching program is attracting high-calibre professionals from other fields into the teaching profession, providing 300 aspiring teachers with financial scholarships of $20,000, mentoring support, and a paid teaching internship as part of their teaching qualification, as well as a guaranteed permanent teaching position in a Queensland state school. Applications are open now.

The $10 million Trade to Teach Internship provides qualified tradespeople to get financial support, an income, mentoring and classroom experience, and ultimately a permanent teaching position in a Queensland state secondary school.

For the full list of 2023 scholarship and grant recipients, more information about the department’s scholarships and grants programs including how to apply, or to apply for a 2024 Turn to Teaching Internship program, visit the Teach Queensland website.

Further information on the new pathway for teacher aides will be made available on the Teach Queensland website soon. The full program starts next year but current teacher aides will be eligible for special leave with pay for any compulsory practical placements from the start of Term 3 this year. Interested teacher aides should subscribe to the Teach Queensland newsletter via the website to receive updates.

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211