To encourage more early childhood teachers to register with the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI), the ACT Government will waive the $115 annual registration fee for two years.

The TQI is an independent statutory authority established by law to build the professional standing of all ACT teachers, to enhance the community’s confidence in the teaching profession through professional regulation and practical initiatives to raise teacher quality. The Board reports directly to Yvette Berry, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development.

 “Since 2011, to work in any school in the ACT teaching kindergarten to year 12, teachers must hold teacher registration with the Teacher Quality Institute,” Lyndall Read, CEO of the TQI, said.

“Registration has not previously been available to teachers working in Early Childhood Education and Care settings – but now they can, and we are encouraging them to do so by waiving the registration fee.

“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.

“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.”

This initiative is part of the ACT Government’s Valuing Educators, Values Children: A Workforce Strategy for the ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Profession (2023-25).

Ms Berry said: “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.

“Qualified early childhood teachers are central to our free three-year-old preschool program that began this year, which provides up to 300 hours of free preschool for three-year-old Canberra children at more than 140 ECEC services across the city.”