In recent years, Queensland’s education system has faced increased pressures, including:
- the rapid rise in population from interstate migration
- an ageing education workforce
- fewer students obtaining teaching degrees.
These pressures have contributed to teacher shortages in Queensland, particularly in the Far North, North, and Central regions.
The Department of Education (the department) has recognised the challenges it faces in attracting and retaining teachers, particularly in state schools in regional and remote Queensland. To address this, it has formed partnerships with universities and stakeholders, and it has established a suite of incentive programs to attract and support its regional and remote teaching staff.
In September 2024, it published the Queensland Teaching Workforce Strategy 2024–2027, highlighting its focus on regional and remote areas. This includes an investment of $45.1 million over 3 years to increase support and incentives for teachers in these locations.
Who we are auditing
Department of Education.
In this audit, we will assess whether the department’s strategies are effective in attracting, recruiting, and retaining teachers in regional and remote Queensland. We will examine how it identifies gaps, and designs and implements strategies. We will also measure and report on the effectiveness of the strategies.