The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) has recognised QCAA Assessor training and operations for Chief and Lead endorsers as a Pathways program towards Highly Accomplished certification.
The QCAA Pathway program recognises six descriptors of the Highly Accomplished Career stage of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) which recipients can use towards their individual Stage 1 application for Highly Accomplished certification.
The six descriptors are:
- Focus Area 2.3: Support colleagues to plan and implement learning and teaching programs using contemporary knowledge and understanding of curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements
- Focus Area 5.1: Develop and apply a comprehensive range of assessment strategies to diagnose learning needs, comply with curriculum requirements and support colleagues to evaluate the effectiveness of their approaches to assessment
- Focus Area 6.3: Initiate and engage in professional discussions with colleagues in a range of forums to evaluate practice directed at improving professional knowledge and practice, and the educational outcomes of students
- Focus Area 7.1: Maintain high ethical standards and support colleagues to interpret codes of ethics and exercise sound judgement in all school and community contexts.
- Focus Area 7.2: Support colleagues to review and interpret legislative, administrative, and organisational requirements, policies and processes
- Focus Area 7.4: Contribute to professional networks and associations and build productive links with the wider community to improve teaching and learning.
Application process:
- There are two intakes per year at the beginning of Semester 1 (January) and Semester 2 (July).
- Current Lead and Chief endorsers can express their interest by emailing: pathway_programs@qcaa.qld.edu.au.
- A QCAA officer will contact you about next steps once you are accepted into an intake cohort.
Eligibility to apply:
- Currently appointed and participating as a Lead or Chief endorser.
Requirements:
- Completed additional training/ briefing as Lead or Chief endorser.
- Attendance and engagement in at least two endorsement events within a minimum of 6 months (and up to a two-year period – with possibility of extension on application).
- Completed directives and consultations that typify the standards to be certified.
Completion:
- Once all requirements have been met for two endorsement cycles a certificate will be provided by QCAA stating that the six standards have been met.
- Certificates are issued twice per year only (in January and June).
- Certificates are valid for five years.
- The applicant can then use that certificate as a part of their Stage 1 individual application.
More information
Learn more about the Certification Pathways of Highly Accomplished & Lead Teachers from Queensland College of Teachers.
For expression of interest for current Lead and Chief Endorsers, email pathway_programs@qcaa.qld.edu.au.
- Last updated:
- 1 December 2025
