The National Catholic Education Commission directs all dioceses across Australia to develop policies for Accreditation to teach and teach Religion in Catholic Schools in Australia. These policies are founded in the Church's vision and its canon law.
For teachers in Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools, this means:
- Every registered teacher including non-classroom and specialist teachers, in BCE schools requires Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic School (AT).
- Every registered teacher who teaches Religion in BCE schools must be Catholic and requires Accreditation to Teach Religion in a Catholic School (AR).
- Every registered teacher who teaches Religion in BCE schools requires the equivalent of 4 units of tertiary study in religious education, theology or spiritual formation as the minimum.
Please note: Teacher Accreditation is not a pre-requisite of employment; it is a status evaluated at the point of employment.
Upon commencement with BCE, teachers who are not yet accredited will be given an accreditation status, either:
- Accreditation to teach in a Catholic school (AT); or
- Interim Accreditation to Teach Religion in a Catholic School (IR).
Accreditation to Teach Religion in a Catholic School (AR) is awarded on provision of sufficient evidence of required tertiary study and completion of a religious background check.
To maintain a status, all teachers must complete a minimum requirement of relevant professional development (as approved by BCE) each year as detailed in the table below.