26,10,26 | Professional issues
Australia’s Education Ministers have endorsed the concept of a national Early Education Commission to strengthen safety in child care. It is one of several recommendations outlined in a 2024 inquiry report from the federal Productivity Commission exploring a...
26,10,26 | Professional issues
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has released two new short course syllabuses for senior students. Last year, our union reported the development of a critical thinking senior short course syllabus and can now confirm its official release for...
26,10,26 | Professional issues, Students, Teachers
The latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results show that, amid declining global results, Australian teachers have supported students to achieve above average outcomes. The PISA is a three-yearly measure of the performance of 15-year-old...
26,10,26 | Professional issues, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
Australian teachers are facing rising workloads, increasing workplace stress and more complex classroom demands, according to new data on the state of the profession. The 2026 Education at a Glance report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and...
14,10,26 | Northern Territory, Professional issues
Legislation passed by the Northern Territory CLP government means a backward step on teacher regulation in the Territory. Despite more than 1,000 teachers and community members raising concerns, the government proceeded with merging the Teacher Registration Board...
28,08,26 | Northern Territory, Professional issues
The Northern Territory (NT) government has launched an attack on the teacher registration board (TRB), which puts the standard of education in all NT schools at risk. The Education Standards and Registration Board Bill plans a government takeover of the TRB. Bill...
25,08,26 | Professional issues
Our union has partnered with the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) to develop a Joint Position Statement on minimum expectations when engaging with Permission to Teach (PTT) employees. IEU-QNT Senior Research Officer and member of our union’s Education Committee Dr...
20,08,26 | Professional issues, Teachers
The first formal review of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) since their introduction 15 years ago provides a chance to ensure the standards evolve to suit the contemporary professional landscape of teaching. Conducted by the Australian...
11,08,26 | Professional issues, Reconciliation
A new national report has identified the challenges, opportunities and priorities for reconciliation in education across Australia. The report stems from the 2025 National Reconciliation in Education Forum, organised as part of Reconciliation Australia’s...
11,08,26 | Professional issues
The Independent Education Union (IEU) is calling for stronger transparency and accountability measures to ensure public funding provided to non-government schools is directed towards student learning, educational outcomes and the delivery of quality education....
01,06,26 | Professional issues
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) will be reviewed for the first time since their introduction over 15 years ago. IEU-QNT members are encouraged to have their say during the review consultation period beginning next month. Review...
28,05,26 | Professional issues, Workers' rights
A recent summit hosted by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Microsoft was an opportunity for the IEU to share the feedback and lived experience of members throughout Australia as they engage with artificial intelligence (AI) in education settings. IEUA...
28,05,26 | Professional issues
IEU members should remain alert to potential misleading advice from employers in our sector when it comes to existing Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) evidentiary requirements. It comes after our federal union was recently alerted to correspondence...
26,05,26 | Professional issues
The long-term decline in principal health and wellbeing continues – according to a landmark national study, now in its 15th year. In short: A 15-year long national study has confirmed a long-term decline in principal wellbeing. Stress, occupational violence and...
11,03,26 | Professional issues
With the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) evaluation report due soon, it’s timely to reassess Senior Secondary Education – especially the benefits, drawbacks and long‑term viability of Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)‑based systems. A recent report...
11,03,26 | Professional issues, School support staff
Teaching assistants play a crucial role in enhancing student outcomes and reducing teacher workloads – as underscored by new AITSL guidelines. Released in December, AITSL Guidelines for the Optimal Deployment of Teaching Assistants in Australian Classrooms (the...
10,03,26 | Early childhood, Professional issues
Our union’s Education Committee has responded to the Queensland Government’s call to expand mandatory teaching registration to all early childhood teachers (ECTs) employed in the state. Over the past decade, national reviews have recognised the need to lift the...
10,03,26 | Professional issues, School support staff, Teachers
IEU members know growing classroom complexity is placing unsustainable pressure on teachers and support staff, who are increasingly required to manage diverse learning needs, challenging behaviours and student wellbeing issues. This complexity is driven by broader...
10,03,26 | Professional issues
This year’s cohort of Queensland Year 12 students will be the first to complete a mandatory academic integrity course – as schools grapple with the impacts of generative artificial intelligence (AI). New requirements The new academic integrity course requirement for...
09,03,26 | Professional issues, Teachers, Workers' rights
Last year, the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) released a new guideline for education programs in non-state schools, which specialist teacher members should be aware of. The revised guideline was a recommendation arising from the Queensland Non-State...
09,03,26 | Professional issues, Workers' rights
Our union continues to monitor the impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology on the education landscape and advocate in the best interests of IEU members. Schools are places of innovation and creativity, and teachers are often early adopters of new and...
13,02,26 | Early childhood, Professional issues, Students
The Thriving Kids Advisory Group Report, released by the federal government, recommends how the new initiative should operate to better address the needs of young children with developmental delay and autism. What is Thriving Kids? Thriving Kids is a new national...
09,12,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
The Victoria University’s Achieving Better & Fairer Schools: The case for full-service school models in Australia report comes as latest Tasmanian data confirms a rise in school violence. IEUA Federal Secretary Brad Hayes said education workers are experiencing...
30,10,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
World Teachers’ Day has its origins in union led action promoting the teaching profession. While the event has become a community wide day of recognition involving multiple stakeholders and supporting organisations, it’s important to note the union story and history...
24,10,25 | Professional issues
Teachers who hold Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) chief and lead endorser roles have access to a new pathway program contributing to Highly Accomplished Teacher certification with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). The QCT Professional...
23,10,25 | Member action, Professional issues, Teachers
A group of teacher IEU members gathered in Canberra last month for the National Teacher Workforce Roundtable, ensuring our union’s voice was heard at the highest levels of government. Convened by the Commonwealth Department of Education and federal Education Minister...
23,10,25 | Professional issues, Teachers, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
The 2024 OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) results paint a disturbing picture of the reality of work for Australian teachers and school leaders. The global survey saw 280,000 teachers and school leaders from 55 countries, including over 6000...
23,10,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
New IEU research reveals a broad inconsistency across the Queensland non-government education sector when it comes to Permission To Teach (PTT) arrangements. IEU-QNT Research Officer Dr Adele Schmidt said our union’s research showed most collective agreements contain...
11,09,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
The announcement by federal Education Minister Jason Clare of a review of federal government teacher and education agencies is a critical opportunity to restore teacher voice to the heart of policy and the education system. IEUA Federal Secretary Brad Hayes said the...
08,08,25 | Professional issues
Recent Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) has highlighted the value of early career mentoring for a sustainable teacher workforce. The Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) collates data from higher education providers, teacher regulatory authorities and...
08,08,25 | Professional issues
While Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has the potential to reduce some administrative tasks, there is also the possibility of adverse impacts on staff which need to be identified and carefully managed. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said at the state...
08,08,25 | Professional issues
Workload impacts just one key issue highlighted by our union as part of the federal government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. The IEU has previously made a federal submission to the review, which aims to establish national standards to address bullying. IEU-QNT...
08,08,25 | Early childhood, Professional issues
New research highlights clear link between high workloads and reduced quality of practice in early childhood education (ECE) centres, potentially compromising child safety. The University of Sydney study found unsustainable workloads and excessive documentation...
05,08,25 | Member benefits, Professional issues, Reconciliation
IEU member Dr Mayrah Dreise is set to represent our union on the new committee. A proud Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay woman, Dr Dreise (pictured) is a highly experienced education professional and an excellent choice of IEU representative to the Queensland College of...
13,06,25 | Early childhood, Professional issues
Our federal union has made a submission to the National Child Safety Review (the Review), as the federal government considers proposed policy options aimed at enhancing child safety arrangements in Australian early childhood education and care services. The proposed...
13,06,25 | Professional issues
A new research report commissioned by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) shares valuable insights regarding the use of Permission to Teach (PTT) arrangements in Queensland schools. It comes as the number of approvals sought by school employers for the use of...
12,06,25 | Professional issues
A new P-10 Curriculum Guideline for non-state schools has been released following consultation with sector stakeholders, including our union. Revision of the current guideline was triggered by an earlier independent review into the Queensland non-state schools...
12,06,25 | Professional issues
Teacher workload impacts will be considered as part of new government initiatives in schools. Federal, state and territory governments agreed to the move under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (BFSA) which took effect from this year. The 10-year joint agreement...
10,06,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
According to the OECD, Australian classrooms have the unfortunate accolade of being among the world’s most disorderly. Increasingly challenging classrooms mean support for teachers and other school staff in managing student behaviour is more important than ever. The...
10,06,25 | Professional issues
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has committed to developing a new Critical Thinking Short Course syllabus, representing a bold step towards a post-AI curriculum. The QCAA Board endorsed Critical Thinking Short Course is still in the early...
13,05,25 | Professional issues, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
An ongoing failure to address principal workload and other job stressors is placing the future of schools at risk. The annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey has again shone harsh light on key issues impacting principals including...
28,03,25 | Professional issues
The Queensland LNP government has delayed indefinitely anti-discrimination law reform designed to protect working women, survivors of family and domestic violence and other vulnerable members of the community. In a shameful move, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington...
17,03,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
Changes to processes for teachers seeking certification as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers (HALT certification) streamline requirements and reduce workload for applicants. At the point of graduation from an accredited ITE program, beginning teachers are granted...
13,03,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
Expressions of interest are now open for experienced IEU members who want to provide early career support to the next generation of teachers. Quality mentoring is vital for early career teachers but is not always readily accessible in schools.
12,03,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
Training the next generation of teachers is a significant responsibility. Attrition rates among early career teachers and ongoing issues with professional experiences (such as practicum, internships or Permission to Teach engagements) highlight the need to overhaul...
03,03,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
A suite of new free resources to help teachers manage classroom behaviour has been released by the federal government as part of their Engaged Classrooms initiative. Developed by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), the new content expands on the...
03,03,25 | Professional issues, Teachers
The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) has updated its policy for acceptable other experience that may be considered by teachers transitioning from provisional to full registration. In some circumstances, the QCT permits provisional teachers to use experience other...
28,11,24 | Professional issues, Workers' rights, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
Our union has welcomed a raft of recommendations outlined in a new report by the Senate Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence. The recommendations focus on protecting the rights of working people amidst widescale adoption of AI in a variety of...
18,11,24 | Equity, Professional issues
Women applying for leadership roles in Australian schools are more likely to face personal, social and systemic obstacles than men, according to new research. An Australian Catholic University (ACU) study highlighted the significant underrepresentation of women in...
11,11,24 | Professional issues, Teachers
The latest Education at a Glance report published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has confirmed inequity in education, staffing and high workloads remain perennial problems in Australia. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the...
