Trade to Teach Internship Program

The Department of Education is currently seeking applications to join the Trade to Teach Internship Program (T2T Program). Career changers who have completed a trade or similar qualification and have 3-5 years industry experience post training will be provided with financial support while they complete their under-graduate studies in Initial Teacher Education (secondary) with a specialisation in Industrial Technology and Design (ITD) or Hospitality/Food and Fashion. Completing an internship in a Queensland Government state school will provide you with additional classroom experience while you study, building your confidence to step into the classroom in a permanent teaching role with the Department of Education. Additionally, you will be engaged in a supportive and diverse school community and will have an opportunity to experience living and working in a rural or remote location.

Program Benefits
Successful applicants will receive a scholarship payment of $20,000 in their first year of undergraduate study and full-time paid employment in an internship position at a Queensland state school (with a 50% reduced workload/ 25 hrs a fortnight) while completing their second and remaining years of undergraduate study.

Eligibility for the T2T Program
For the Industrial Design and Technology (ITD) Stream, to be eligible applicants must:

• have completed a trade qualification through an accredited provider (minimum Cert III to be a carpenter, plumber, plasterer, electrician, joiner, fitter and turner, auto engineer, mechanic or similar trade)
• have minimum 3-5 years recent industry experience post completion of apprenticeship
• be eligible for enrolment in full-time undergraduate studies in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) secondary program, for the 2026 intake at Central Queensland University or University of Southern Queensland
• be willing to undertake an internship at any state secondary school in Queensland
• demonstrate commitment to teach in a high priority QLD state school in the following subjects:

• ACARA curriculum for years 7-10

• Design and Technologies - Material and Technologies Specialisations

• Design and Technologies - Engineering Principles and Systems

• QCAA applied syllabus for years 10-12

• Building & Construction Skills

• Engineering Skills
• Furnishing Skills
• Industrial Graphics Skills

• Industrial Technology Skills

• agree to complete the undergraduate ITE degree in a maximum of four years

• be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency in Australia.

For the Hospitality/Food and Fashion Stream, to be eligible applicants must:

• have completed a recognised qualification through an accredited provider (e.g. minimum Cert III in Commercial Cookery, minimum Cert III Hospitality, minimum Cert III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles)
• have minimum 3-5 years recent industry experience post completion of apprenticeship/traineeship
• be eligible for enrolment in full-time undergraduate studies in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) secondary program, for the 2026 intake at Central Queensland University
• be willing to undertake an internship at any state secondary school in Queensland
• demonstrate commitment to teach in a high priority QLD state school in the following subjects:

• ACARA curriculum for years 7-10

• Design and Technologies - Food Specialisations

• Design and Technologies - Food and Fibre Production

• QCAA applied syllabus for years 10-12

• Hospitality Practices

• agree to complete the undergraduate ITE degree in a maximum of four years

• be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency in Australia.

How To Apply

• Read all documents below
• Press the 'apply now' button below
• Complete your online application, questionnaire and upload a response to selection criteria (maximum 2-pages).
• Upload all the documentation outlined in the T2T Checklist

Applications will be assessed by an independent selection panel.

Program Offers
Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer of placement into the T2T Program until evidence of enrolment into the relevant under-graduate ITE program at a partner University and confirmation of Teaching Areas is provided.

Preference will be given to those applicants who live in or are willing to relocate to one of the department's high priority regions – Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland and Darling Downs South West.
Permanent employment will be based on departmental need and will be offered upon completion of the ITE course, confirmation of registration with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) and meeting all departmental minimum requirements for employment.

Please refer to the Fact Sheet and FAQs and note the Terms and Conditions of accepting an offer for this program.

Payment of Scholarship
The scholarship funds will be deposited in four instalments into the recipients' bank account. All payments are taxed and may affect the recipient's annual income and/or benefits received. It is recommended that financial advice is obtained from a financial advisor, the ATO and/or Services Australia .

Occupational group
Education & Training