# Teacher PD Hours Requirements by State

> How many PD hours do Australian teachers need? State-by-state guide to professional development requirements, registration bodies, fees, and what counts as PD.

## How Many PD Hours Do I Need?

Every Australian teacher must complete professional development (PD) to maintain their registration — but how much, how often, and what counts varies significantly from state to state.

NSW requires 100 hours over 5 years. Victoria requires 20 hours every year. Tasmania does not specify a minimum number of hours at all. And if you have moved interstate, you may need to navigate an entirely different system.

This page is a **plain-English reference** covering:

- **How many PD hours** each state requires
- **Which registration body** manages your accreditation
- **What qualifies** as professional development
- **Annual fees** for teacher registration
- **Recent changes** to be aware of (including NSW's major 2024 simplification)

All requirements relate to the [Australian Professional Standards for Teachers](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards), which underpin registration nationally.

> **Note:** Information on this page reflects policies current as of February 2026. Requirements and fees change — always verify with your state registration body using the links provided.

## Quick Comparison: PD Requirements by State

| State | Registration Body | Hours Required | Cycle | Annual Fee (approx.) | Portal |
|-------|------------------|---------------|-------|---------------------|--------|
| **NSW** | [NESA](https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation) | 100 hours | 5 years (FT) / 7 years (PT) | $100 | eTAMS |
| **VIC** | [VIT](https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/) | 20 hours/year | Annual (by 30 Sep) | $128 | MyVIT |
| **QLD** | [QCT](https://www.qct.edu.au/) | 20 hours/year | Annual CPD / 5-year renewal | $104 | myQCT |
| **SA** | [TRB SA](https://www.trb.sa.edu.au/) | 100 hours over 5 years | 5 years | ~$110 | Teachers Portal |
| **WA** | [TRBWA](https://www.trb.wa.gov.au/) | 100 hours | 5 years | $95 + $56 renewal | TRB Login |
| **NT** | [TRB NT](https://www.trb.nt.gov.au/) | 100 hours | 5 years | $108 | MyTRB |
| **TAS** | [TRB Tasmania](https://trb.tas.gov.au/) | No minimum specified | Annual (by 31 Dec) | $116 + $62 renewal | TRB Online |
| **ACT** | [TQI](https://www.tqi.act.edu.au/) | 20 hours/year | Annual (1 Apr–31 Mar) | $115 | TQI Online |

### Key Takeaways

- **NSW, WA, and the NT** require the most hours (100 over 5 years), but spread over a longer cycle
- **VIC, QLD, and ACT** require 20 hours annually — smaller bites each year
- **Tasmania** is unique in not specifying a minimum number of hours
- **No state registration body mandates specific PD topics** — all PD must align with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, but you choose the focus. Your employer may require mandatory training on specific topics such as child protection and first aid
- **NSW simplified its requirements** in August 2024, removing the distinction between accredited and elective PD

## The National Framework: AITSL and the Professional Standards

The [Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/) provides national leadership for the teaching profession. AITSL does not directly register teachers — that is handled by each state body — but it develops and maintains the national frameworks that underpin registration everywhere.

### Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

All PD across Australia must reference these Standards, which are organised into **3 domains** and **7 standards**:

**Domain 1 — Professional Knowledge**
1. Know students and how they learn
2. Know the content and how to teach it

**Domain 2 — Professional Practice**
3. Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
5. Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning

**Domain 3 — Professional Engagement**
6. Engage in professional learning
7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

### Four Career Stages

| Stage | What It Means |
|-------|--------------|
| Graduate | Completed initial teacher education |
| Proficient | Standard required for full registration (most classroom teachers) |
| Highly Accomplished | Recognised expertise (voluntary) |
| Lead | System-wide leadership in teaching practice (voluntary) |

Most classroom teachers maintain registration at the **Proficient** level. Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher accreditation is voluntary and comes with additional pay in most states — see our [teacher salary comparison](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-australia-2026) for details.

**Source:** [AITSL — Australian Professional Standards for Teachers](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards)

## NSW — NESA Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) |
| **PD hours required** | 100 hours per maintenance period |
| **Cycle length** | 5 years (full-time) / 7 years (casual or part-time) |
| **Online portal** | eTAMS (Electronic Teacher Accreditation Management System) |
| **Annual fee** | $100 (tax deductible, GST-free) |
| **Terminology** | NSW uses "accreditation" rather than "registration" |

### What Counts as PD?

Since the **August 2024 changes**, NESA removed the distinction between "Accredited PD" and "Elective PD." Teachers now have **full flexibility** to choose any PD activities aligned to the 7 Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Key changes from August 2024:
- **No mandatory priority areas** — priority areas exist as guidance but completion is not required
- **No PD evaluations required** — teachers no longer need to write an evaluation for each PD activity
- **Employer-mandated training** aligned to the Standards now counts
- **Attendance certificates not required** — NESA only needs the PD log details
- Teachers must retain PD records for **12 months** after maintenance submission in case of audit

> **Tip:** The August 2024 changes made NSW requirements significantly more flexible. The new rules took effect on 16 August 2024 and apply to current maintenance cycles — all PD hours already completed and logged will contribute to your cycle.

**Source:** [NESA — Professional Development Requirements](https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation/maintain-accreditation/professional-development-requirements) | [Changes to PD Requirements](https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation/maintain-accreditation/changes-to-maintenance-of-accreditation)

## VIC — VIT Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) |
| **PD hours required** | 20 hours per year |
| **Cycle length** | Annual (registration renewed each year by 30 September) |
| **Online portal** | MyVIT (via vit.vic.edu.au) |
| **Annual fee** | $127.80 (on time by 30 Sep) / $168.50 (late, includes late fee) |

### What Counts as PD?

Both **formal and informal** professional learning counts, provided it:
- Develops professional knowledge and practice to support student learning
- Is relevant to your teaching context
- References the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

Examples include:
- Webinars, online modules, and short courses
- Professional conversations and collaborative team learning
- Professional reading and research
- Workshops, seminars, and conferences

### Recording Requirements

Teachers **self-declare** completion of their 20 hours of PD during the annual renewal process. You do not need to submit detailed evidence with your renewal — however, you should maintain records of your professional learning activities, as VIT may request evidence if you are selected for an **audit**.

### Late Registration

If you do not complete annual registration and payment by 30 September, a late fee is applied and you have a grace period until 31 December.

**Source:** [VIT — Professional Practice and Learning Requirements](https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/maintain/requirements) | [VIT — Fees](https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/register/how-to/fees)

## QLD — QCT Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) |
| **PD hours required** | 20 hours per calendar year (if teaching 20+ days that year) |
| **Cycle length** | Annual CPD requirement / 5-yearly registration renewal |
| **Online portal** | myQCT |
| **Annual fee** | $104.12 (from 1 October 2025) |

### What Counts as CPD?

Both formal and informal activities count. CPD must be **differentiated from normal expectations of the role** — not everything you do at school qualifies.

**Qualifying activities include:**
- Workshops, seminars, conferences, courses, online learning
- School-based and employer-provided PD days
- Syllabus, curriculum, and assessment PD conducted by QCAA or your employer
- Formal study leading to a qualification
- Professional reading, research, and mentoring

**What does NOT count:**
- Staff meetings
- Planning and preparation
- Assessment activities
- Extra-curricular activities
- Routine core business meetings

### Five-Yearly Renewal

Every 5 years, the annual fee must accompany a formal renewal application through myQCT.

**Source:** [QCT — CPD Requirements](https://www.qct.edu.au/professional-development/requirements) | [QCT — Fees](https://www.qct.edu.au/registration/fees)

## SA — TRB SA Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (TRB SA) |
| **PD hours required** | Minimum 100 hours over a 5-year registration period |
| **Cycle length** | 5-year registration term |
| **Online portal** | Teachers Portal (online.trb.sa.edu.au) |
| **Annual fee** | Approximately $110/year (~$550 for 5 years, subject to CPI indexation) |

### What Counts as PD?

Professional learning must be referenced to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Proficient career stage as a minimum. The TRB SA requires engagement in professional learning that ensures teachers:
- Continually update their knowledge and practice
- Are classroom-ready at any time

### Key Notes

- New requirements for renewal are being introduced progressively according to each teacher's registration cycle
- Teachers who have not completed a minimum **100 hours** of professional learning within a 5-year period may not be permitted to renew
- Renewal also requires a current Working With Children Check
- Fees are CPI-indexed — upfront payment of multiple years avoids future CPI increases

**Source:** [TRB SA — Requirements for Renewal](https://www.trb.sa.edu.au/Maintaining-Registration/renewal-of-registration/requirements-for-renewing-registration) | [TRB SA — Payment of Registration Fees](https://trb.sa.edu.au/home/Payment-of-Registration-Fees)

## WA — TRBWA Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) |
| **PD hours required** | 100 hours since registration was last granted or renewed |
| **Cycle length** | 5 years |
| **Online portal** | Teacher Login on trbwa.gov.au (Professional Learning tab) |
| **Annual fee** | $95/year (covers 1 April to 31 March) + $56 renewal application fee |

### What Counts as PD?

Both **formal and informal** learning across all three Domains of the Professional Standards:

- **Formal:** Workshops, seminars, online learning, school-based development days
- **Informal:** Professional reading, reflective writing, professional meetings

### Key Requirement

Teachers should aim to include learning activities from **each of the three Domains** of the Professional Standards (Professional Knowledge, Professional Practice, Professional Engagement).

### Recording and Evidence

Teachers declare they have met their 100-hour obligation as part of the renewal application. TRBWA may request evidence to support this declaration. Keep records of all activities, including informal learning.

**Source:** [TRBWA — Professional Learning](https://www.trb.wa.gov.au/Teacher-Registration/Currently-registered-teachers/Renewal-of-registration/Professional-learning) | [TRBWA — Fees](https://www.trb.wa.gov.au/Further-Information/Fees)

## NT — TRB NT Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory (TRB NT) |
| **PD hours required** | 100 hours per 5-year period (approximately 20 hours/year) |
| **Cycle length** | 5 years (annual fee payments) |
| **Online portal** | MyTRB (trbaccount.ntschools.net) |
| **Annual fee** | $108/year (due by 31 December; increases on 1 July in line with Darwin CPI or 3%, whichever is higher) |

### What Counts as PD?

The Professional Development Framework (mandated by the Teacher Registration (Northern Territory) Act) provides guidance for teachers to improve teaching practice. Activities must be:
- Relevant to your professional growth
- Referenced to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

An optional template is available from TRB NT for recording PD activities.

**Source:** [TRB NT — Professional Development Framework](https://www.trb.nt.gov.au/professional-responsibilities/teaching-practice/professional-development-framework) | [TRB NT — Fees](https://www.trb.nt.gov.au/registration/fees)

## TAS — TRB Tasmania Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | Teachers Registration Board Tasmania (TRB Tasmania) |
| **PD hours required** | No minimum hours specified — engagement in relevant PD is required |
| **Cycle length** | Annual (fees due by 31 December) |
| **Online portal** | TRB Online (via trb.tas.gov.au) |
| **Annual fee** | $115.75 registration fee + $62.10 renewal application fee |

### What Counts as PD?

Activities that contribute to professional competence and directly or indirectly enhance teaching and learning:
- Job-embedded opportunities (professional learning communities, collaborative team learning)
- Workshops, seminars, conferences, short courses
- Contributing to education system initiatives, pilots, trials, or projects
- School-based or employer-provided PD (including PD days and guest speakers)

### The Tasmania Difference

Tasmania is **unique** among Australian states in not specifying a minimum number of PD hours. However, at least **one PD activity** must be recorded in TRB Online as part of renewal — teachers must list one or two key activities and be able to provide evidence of participation if audited.

### Registration Lapse

If the annual fee is not paid by 31 December, registration automatically lapses and you must reapply.

**Source:** [TRB Tasmania — Managing Your PLD](https://trb.tas.gov.au/managing-your-professional-learning-and-development/) | [TRB Tasmania — Fees](https://trb.tas.gov.au/fees-and-payments/)

## ACT — TQI Requirements

### At a Glance

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-----------|
| **Registration body** | ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) |
| **PD hours required** | 20 hours per school year (or 100 hours over 5 years) |
| **Cycle length** | Annual (1 April to 31 March; renewal each February) |
| **Online portal** | TQI Online (via tqi.act.edu.au) |
| **Annual fee** | $115 renewal application fee |

### The ACT's Two-Category System

The ACT is unique in requiring PD from **two distinct categories**:

**TQI Accredited Programs (APL)** — minimum **5 hours** required
- Formal PD programs accredited by TQI
- Listed on the TQI online register

**Teacher Identified Professional Learning (TIPL)** — minimum **5 hours** required
- Professional collaboration, coaching, and mentoring
- Professional reading, podcasts, and audiobooks
- Online learning and formal academic study
- Action research and communities of practice
- Supervising pre-service teachers
- Educational content on social media

The remaining **10 hours** can be any combination of both categories.

### TIPL Limits

- Most TIPL activities: up to 5 hours annually
- Formal academic study: up to 10 hours per unit
- Formal action research: up to 10 hours annually

**Source:** [TQI — Professional Learning Requirements](https://www.tqi.act.edu.au/registration/Maintaining-Registration/PL-Requirements) | [TQI — Fees](https://www.tqi.act.edu.au/registration/how-to-apply/fees)

## Tips for Meeting Your PD Requirements

### Track As You Go

Do not leave PD tracking to the end of your cycle. Log activities in your state portal as you complete them. If you are audited, having records already entered is much less stressful than reconstructing a year's worth of PD.

### Know What Counts

Every state accepts a mix of formal and informal PD. Activities many teachers do not realise count include:
- Professional reading (articles, educational blogs, research papers)
- Professional conversations with colleagues about teaching practice
- Online webinars and podcasts
- Attending store-based or publisher-provided PD sessions
- Contributing to school committees or curriculum initiatives

### Plan Across the Standards

Most states require PD across **all three domains** of the Professional Standards, not just your comfort zone. If most of your PD falls under Domain 2 (Professional Practice), deliberately seek out Domain 1 (Professional Knowledge) and Domain 3 (Professional Engagement) activities.

### Use Free and Low-Cost Options

PD does not have to be expensive:
- State education departments offer free PD through their websites
- [AITSL](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/) offers free resources and self-paced learning
- Many [TeachBuySell resources](/s) come with professional learning notes
- Professional associations (ALEA, AAMT, ASTA, etc.) often offer free webinars for members
- Your school's PD days count toward your hours in most states

### Moving Interstate?

If you move between states, you will need to apply for registration with the new state's registration body. Your existing PD hours may or may not transfer — contact the new body before your move to understand the process. AITSL maintains the [national framework](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/default-source/national-policy-framework/framework-for-teacher-registration-in-australia.pdf) that supports mutual recognition across states.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many PD hours do teachers need in Australia?

It depends on your state. **NSW, WA, and the NT** require 100 hours over 5 years. **VIC, QLD, and the ACT** require 20 hours per year. **SA** requires 100 hours over 5 years. **Tasmania** does not specify a minimum but requires engagement in relevant professional development. All PD must align with the [Australian Professional Standards for Teachers](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards).

### What counts as PD for teacher registration?

All states accept both **formal** PD (workshops, courses, conferences, online modules) and **informal** PD (professional reading, collegial discussions, mentoring, action research). The key requirement is that activities are relevant to your teaching practice and align with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. QLD specifically excludes staff meetings, planning, and extra-curricular activities.

### Do I need to complete PD in specific topic areas?

No. As of 2026, **no Australian state mandates specific PD topics** as part of registration requirements. NSW previously required priority areas but removed this requirement in August 2024. However, some states (like WA) require PD across all three Domains of the Professional Standards, and your employer may have their own mandatory training requirements (e.g., child protection, first aid).

### How much does teacher registration cost?

Annual fees range from approximately **$95 (WA)** to **$128 (VIC)**. Most states charge between $100 and $120 per year. Some states also charge a separate renewal application fee (e.g., WA charges $56, TAS charges $62). All registration fees are **tax deductible** for employed teachers.

### What happens if I do not complete my PD hours?

Consequences vary by state. In most cases, your registration may **lapse** or not be renewed, which means you cannot legally teach. In Tasmania, registration automatically lapses if the annual fee is not paid by 31 December. In VIC, a late fee is applied and you have a grace period. Contact your registration body well before your deadline if you are behind on hours.

### What changed with NESA PD requirements in 2024?

In August 2024, NESA (NSW) made significant changes: the distinction between "Accredited PD" and "Elective PD" was **removed**, teachers no longer need to write evaluations on completed PD, priority areas are now guidance only (not mandatory), and employer-mandated training aligned to the Standards now counts toward the 100-hour requirement. Source: [NESA — Changes to PD Requirements](https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation/maintain-accreditation/changes-to-maintenance-of-accreditation)

### Does school-based PD count toward my registration hours?

In most states, **yes** — school-based professional development days, collaborative planning sessions, and employer-provided PD typically count toward your registration hours. In QLD, employer-provided PD days count but routine staff meetings do not. Check your state body's specific guidelines for what qualifies.

### What if I move to a different state?

You will need to apply for registration with the new state's registration body. AITSL maintains a [national framework](https://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/default-source/national-policy-framework/framework-for-teacher-registration-in-australia.pdf) that supports mutual recognition, but the process and any PD carryover varies. Contact the new state body before your move to understand what documentation you need.

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Source: https://teachbuysell.com.au/teacher-guides/teacher-pd-hours-requirements
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