Marking external assessment: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

From 2026, experienced external assessment markers may be invited to apply to be considered for a marking role. Where this applies, invited returning markers will receive direct communication from the QCAA in Term 3, 2026.

If you do not receive an invitation, you are welcome to apply through the usual vacancy process in the QCAA Portal when 2026 external assessment marking vacancies become available.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by October 2026.

Successful applicants must complete relevant role-specific training modules no later than Friday 9 October 2026.

The marking operation runs from late October to the end of November.

Applications must be submitted via the Assessor Jobs application in the QCAA Portal.

If you have received an invitation to apply, please complete your application via the ‘My Invitations’ tab of the Assessor Jobs application in the QCAA Portal.

If you are a returning external assessment marker who did not receive an invitation to apply, or you are a new PQT applicant, please fill out an application form via the PQT vacancy in the Assessor Jobs application in the QCAA Portal.

All applicants should seek their principal’s support in advance. You must tick a box that acknowledges that you have done this before you submit your application.

The eligibility requirements are outlined in the position description on the Marking external assessment: practising Queensland teachers page.

If your application meets the mandatory eligibility requirements outlined in the position description, you will be allocated to a subject pool.

The QCAA reviews and shortlists applicants for marker, Lead marker and Chief marker roles based on the information provided in your application.

If you are shortlisted, you will receive an offer, which is accessible in Assessor Jobs under the My offers tab.

Please ensure you confirm via your schools approval channels for any days you need to be released from classroom duties to undertake this role with QCAA.

The first round of offers will commence in late July and a second round of offers will start in late August. Once you accept the offer, you will be automatically appointed to that position.

What is the application process for new OEAs?

New OEA applicants need to submit an application in the Assessor Jobs application on the QCAA Portal.

If you have never had a QCAA Portal account:

• create a QCAA Portal account for this vacancy (do not use the new account link on the QCAA portal landing page)
• once you have access, log in to the QCAA Portal using your newly created login and password
• click on the Assessor Jobs app
• click on the ‘Vacancies’ tab, and scroll down until you locate the ‘External assessment marking – OEA (application)’ heading. Under this heading you will see a ‘Open Assessment Literacy’ button. Click on the ‘Open Assessment Literacy’ button to grant access to the Assessment Literacy app.
• complete modules available to you in the Assessment Literacy application
• complete the recruitment test. You will find a link to this course within the OEA application vacancy description
• complete your OEA application.

The QCAA Portal is the online environment through which the QCAA manages secure activities for schools as well as the following activities for all QCAA-appointed casuals:

• recruitment
• the Assessment literacy course
• training
• management of personal information (My Details application)
• travel bookings and claims submissions.

Your application needs to include the following information:

• contact details
• Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) registration details, if applicable
• relevant employment and teaching experience
• relevant QCAA experience, e.g. NAPLAN marking, panel appointments, if applicable
• other jurisdictional experience, if applicable
• subject preferences for marking.

If your application meets the mandatory eligibility requirements outlined in the position description, you will be allocated to a subject pool.

The QCAA reviews and shortlists applicants for marker, Lead marker and Chief marker roles based on the information provided in your application.

If you are shortlisted, you will receive an offer, which is accessible in Assessor Jobs under the My offers tab.

If you have received an invitation to apply , please complete your application via the My Invitations tab of the Assessor Jobs application in the QCAA Portal.

If you are a returning external assessment marker who did not receive an invitation to apply, please fill out an application form via the OEA vacancy in the Assessor Jobs application in the QCAA Portal.

No. If you are a returning marker from a previous year, you will not be required to re-complete any Assessment literacy courses or tests.

If you wish to be considered for a Chief marker or Lead marker role, tick the relevant box when you apply. Ensure your application provides details of relevant leadership roles you have undertaken in your school, for the QCAA and/or other jurisdictions. Where dropdown options and pre-populated fields do not capture your experience, there is a free text field where you can include a brief statement.

Chief and Lead markers may be required to participate in the reassessment process so should also be available for weeks within the reassessment period. Reassessment applications will be accepted from 16 December 2026 to 15 January 2027.In this capacity you will be consulted for discrepancy resolution and some marking. PQTs will be given first preference for Chief roles. Any OEA Chiefs must have current QCT registration.

Suitable applicants are appointed as reserve markers when the required number of marker, Lead marker and Chief marker roles are filled for a subject. All reserve markers may be promoted to markers, if required. To be eligible, all reserve markers must complete their role-specific training.

If appointed to a marker role, you will be required to complete the mandatory subject-specific training prior to marking.

Indonesian SEE, Korean SEE and Vietnamese SEE, which do not have a parent syllabus in the new QCE system, will recruit markers for the marking operation. All other SEE syllabuses will draw on the marker pool for the parent syllabus, e.g. a selection of English markers will also be trained to mark the English SEE external assessment.

All marking applicants must meet the QCAA’s minimum ICT requirements on their home desktop computer or personal laptop.

Note: Tablet devices, such as iPads, are not compatible with the online marking platform (OLMP).

All training is compulsory and consists of role-specific and subject-specific training.

Role-specific training focuses on introductory information about the marking operation and key messages to assist understanding of your role and responsibilities. Role-specific training is delivered as online modules. Markers will be required to complete Module 1 only. Chief and lead markers will be required to complete Modules 1, 2 and 3.

Subject-specific training focuses on the marking process, the online marking platform (OLMP) and how to use the external assessment marking guide (EAMG). Markers will have the opportunity to practise marking and receive feedback and assistance.

Subject-specific marker training will be held after external assessment is completed for each subject and script selection has taken place. The 2026 external assessment timetable is located on the QCAA website. The 2026 timetable is now available.

The final dates for marking, including subject-specific training details, will be made available to appointees during Term 3.

The marking operation for each subject is determined by the number of student responses, the estimated time it takes to mark a student response, and the 2026 external assessment timetable (available in Term 2).

After students have completed the external assessment for a subject, lead markers complete script selection and identify scripts to be used for marker training and calibration.

Markers then complete up to two days of subject-specific training before the marking operation commences. This training is compulsory and must be attended in full to participate in the marking operation.

The marking operation for a subject will be finalised once all scripts have been marked.

Weekdays: Markers are required to be contactable for a nominated two-hour period between 4 pm and 8 pm.

Weekends: Markers will nominate their availability on either Saturdays or Sundays closer to the time of the marking operation.

Markers are asked to commit to marking sessions of at least two-three hours daily. Many markers choose to mark additional hours to those they have nominated.

Successful completion of the role-specific training module/s is required by Friday 9 October. Once you have completed the module/s, a payment will be automatically generated.

When you complete your two days of subject-specific training, please submit your timesheet/s as soon as possible. This allows the verification and validation processes to commence.

Any anomalies, errors or omissions on timesheets may delay payment processing.

Markers do not need to submit a timesheet for marking. Payments for marking scripts will be paid progressively throughout the entire marking operation.

All PQTs, are required to complete the Employment details tab in the My Details application. If you are a part-time teacher, make sure the details recorded reflect the days you work. If you are on leave, please add your leave details to the ‘My calendar’ tab in the My Details application. Otherwise, the school will be paid TRS automatically for any training days scheduled on a weekday.

Yes. Please review the Other external applicants (OEA) position description and OEA FAQs on the QCAA assessors: Marking external assessment webpage. PQTs will be given first preference for chief roles. OEAs will only be appointed to chief roles when no suitable PQTs are available. Any OEA chiefs must have current QCT registration.

Yes. If you are a successful applicant, you need to complete a Conflict of Interest declaration when you receive an offer of appointment. Before applicants can be appointed, they must respond to their offer and complete the Conflict of Interest declaration available in the Assessor Jobs application in the QCAA Portal.

You will not be precluded from being appointed as a marker if you have a relationship to declare. It simply allows the QCAA to manage the marking operation to ensure you do not mark these scripts.

If you have been appointed to an external assessment marker role, but illness or unforeseen circumstances prevent you from participating in the marking operation please contact the QCAA at externalassessment@qcaa.qld.edu.au or phone 1300 239 227.

This and all other administration information will be provided in the Marker administration guide attached to your offer of appointment.