2000 Queensland teachers quit after less than three years in industry

Almost 2000 Queensland teachers handed in resignations over the past eight years, each one before they reached three years in the job.

Nearly 2000 Queensland teachers handed in resignations over the past eight years, each with less than three years’ employment.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman asked Education Minister Grace Grace in a Question on Notice for a breakdown of teacher resignations from 2015-2022.

The breakdown of Department of Education data from 2015-2022 showed 1999 permanent Queensland teachers had quit the industry after less than three years in the job.

Between 2020 and 2021, 655 teachers quit the profession while a further 252 have resigned this year, as of October 19.

It comes following a recent Monash University study which revealed just three of every 10 Australian teachers planned to stay in the profession long-term.

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Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

In response to Mr Boothman’s question, Ms Grace said the resignation numbers represented less than 1 per cent each year of the overall permanent teaching workforce.

She said retention rates for Queensland state school teachers had remained stable since 2015, sitting at around 96 per cent.

“There were negligible instances where teachers with less than three years’ service transitioned to another occupation within the department,” she said.

The data included teachers that may have been appointed and resigned several times throughout the year.

The Monash University study in the Australian Journal of Education in October surveyed 5000 teachers nationwide.

It showed 72 per cent of teachers surveyed planned to or were considering leaving the profession – in 2019 that percentage was 58.

The report cited work-life balance, exhaustion and burnout as the most common reasons among teachers wanting to leave their careers.

The surveyed teachers reported being “overwhelmed and undervalued” and having to manage “unattainable and unreasonable” workloads.

Monash University lecturer Dr Fiona Longmuir said the findings were concerning given the critical workforce shortages.

“These results are a wake up call for us all. They highlight the urgent need for systemic action and personal change,” Dr Longmuir said.

“Teachers play a critical role in shaping our shared future, they deserve the utmost respect and appreciation, and that includes having a place at the table when it comes to policy making.”

Dr Longmuir said teachers deserved the trust to “do their jobs and create safe workplaces” which in turn would boost retention rates and encourage others into the industry.