Reward and Recognition Programs

The Department offers a number of scholarships, grants and awards through a reward and recognition program for its current and future employees, thereby contributing to "a workforce achieving high quality outcomes in a changing and challenging environment" (Strategic Plan 2006-2010).

Scholarships and grants range from the prestigeous TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and scholarships for high achieving Year 12 students to pre-service scholarships for Year 12 graduates from rural/remote areas of Queensland and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aspiring to become state school teachers, to grants that enable Departmental employees to pursue individual professional development opportunities, continue their tertiary studies or undertake a national or international study/professional development program.

While some scholarships or grants are offered annually, others are offered from time-to-time or on a 'one-off' basis.

In addition, the rewards and recognition program recognises long and valued service within the Department with its Service Recognition and Teacher Excellence Career Milestones awards. These awards acknowledge the valued service of teachers at 5, 10 and 20 years' service, and all employees at 25 years' service and at retirement.

The Australia Day Achievement Awards are an initiative of the National Australia Day Council and are an important part of the department's commitment to recognise and reward significant contributions made by employees to the department and the wider community.

The Public Service Medal which is part of Australia's National Honours program that recognises outstanding employee service across federal, state, territory and local governments.

Student scholarships:

Pre-service scholarships:

Employee scholarships:

Employee professional development awards and grants:

New Professionalism - Minister's Awards for School Leader and Teacher Excellence - for teacher aides, teachers and school leaders (not available in 2009)
Professional Development Pathways
Professional development for public sector employees (non-teaching staff)
Scholarships for Teachers

Service recognition for all departmental employees:

Service Recognition - 25 year service medallions, retirement certificates and retirement letter of appreciation when retiring with 30 years or more service. Guidelines and application forms are available through the Professional Development website.
Australia Day Achievement Awards reward and recognise significant contributions made by employees to the department and the wider community. Officers can be nominated under one of the following categories:
- Exemplary classroom practices modelling organisational values;
- Exemplary client service;
- Innovation in practice or procedures reducing the demands on clients and/or team members; or
- Innovation in improving client service delivery or operational effectiveness without increasing work demands.
Nominations open in late October annually.

For more information please contact the Awards Coordinator in the Corporate Communication and Marketing branch or tel. (07) 3237 1623.
Public Service Medal - Department of Education and Training staff are invited to nominate their colleagues for the 2010 Australia Day Public Service Medal. The Public Service Medal recognises outstanding employee service across federal, state, territory and local governments. Nominations should include a short executive summary of up to 200 words, at least three referee statements and full position details of the nominee. Nominations close mid July annually.

For more information visit the program's website at Public Service Medal or contact DET's Awards Coordinator in the Corporate Communication and Marketing branch or tel. (07) 3237 1623.

Service recognition for teachers only:

Teacher Excellence Career Milestones (5, 10 and 20 years' teaching service) - closed for 2008. A new application form will not be available before May/June 2009.

Other useful links:

^ Top of page