Jo Palmer, Minister for Education
Tasmania's teacher registration system is set for its biggest overhaul in more than 20 years, with the Teachers Registration Bill 2026 passing the Legislative Council.
The legislation modernises teacher regulation, strengthens child safety protections and supports a high-quality teaching workforce, delivering key recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry and review of the Teachers Registration Act 2000.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the reforms will ensure Tasmania's teacher registration framework remains contemporary, robust and focused on the needs of children and young people.
"Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the lives of children and young people, and these reforms ensure our registration system reflects the high standards we expect of the profession," Minister Palmer said.
"This legislation strengthens child safety, supports teacher quality and brings Tasmania's regulatory framework into line with national standards."
The Bill implements all 28 recommendations from the independent review of the Teachers Registration Act, providing a clear roadmap for a stronger and more effective registration system.
- Stronger child safety protections;
- Recognition and registration of university-qualified early childhood teachers working in Early Childhood Education and Care settings;
- A requirement for teachers to complete at least 100 hours of professional development over five years;
- A simpler pathway from provisional to full registration;
- Alignment with national registration standards; and
- Greater flexibility through a new non-practising registration category.
"I want to thank the teachers, education stakeholders and community members who helped shape these important reforms."
