QAI has made a submission on the Education Legislation (Registration of Early Childhood Teachers) Amendment Bill 2026, welcoming measures to strengthen child safety in early childhood education and care.
QAI supports bringing Early Childhood Teachers within the Queensland College of Teachers registration framework. However, QAI is calling for disability-inclusive practice to be included as a requirement for teacher registration and renewal.
Children with disability have the right to inclusive education and are at heightened risk of violence, abuse and neglect. QAI’s submission highlights that suitability checks alone cannot ensure teachers have the skills and knowledge needed to include and support children with disability. Disability-inclusive training can help teachers recognise and respond to different communication needs, support participation and reduce exclusionary practices such as suspension.
QAI recommends that disability-inclusive training be prescribed as an eligibility requirement for registration and renewal, that transition support be funded to ensure training is accessible to teachers across Queensland, including regional and remote areas, and that the QCT publicly report on training completion.
QAI is calling for stronger teacher training to help ensure children with disability can participate, learn and thrive in inclusive early childhood and school environments.
Read the submission here: