QCAT restricts former childcare room leader’s teacher registration after assault conviction

This article discusses the physical assault of a child in an early childhood service. Support and reporting contacts are provided below.

A former childcare room leader has been prohibited from reapplying for Queensland teacher registration or permission to teach until 15 November 2026 following his conviction for assaulting a three-year-old child.

In Queensland College of Teachers v KIT [2026] QCAT 452, delivered on 29 September 2026, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) found that a ground for disciplinary action had been established under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005.

The tribunal also ordered that any future application must include an independent psychologist’s report satisfactory to the Queensland College of Teachers, addressing his suitability to teach and work in a child-related field.

The former educator is identified in the judgment only as KIT. A non-publication order prohibits publishing information that may identify him, his employer, any relevant child or associated witness, to protect the identity of the child who was assaulted.

The judgment records that KIT was working as a room leader at a specialist childcare service when the incident occurred.

After reviewing CCTV footage, QCAT found that he carried one child behind a three-year-old autistic girl who was non-verbal and playing at a bench. Holding the leg of the child he was carrying, he swung it into the girl’s head and back area approximately five times.

The girl sustained bruising to her upper back and neck.

KIT subsequently pleaded guilty to common assault. He received a two-month prison sentence, wholly suspended for 15 months, and a conviction was recorded.

The tribunal rejected his explanation that he had been redirecting a distressed child or encouraging interaction between the children. It found that the child he was carrying did not appear to be experiencing an outburst or distress.

QCAT also accepted the Queensland College of Teachers’ submission that KIT showed little insight into the wrongfulness or consequences of his actions. The judgment records that he had disputed whether the girl could have been harmed because she did not cry or fall down.

The Queensland College of Teachers suspended KIT’s registration on 15 August 2025. He surrendered it on 23 October 2025 and indicated that he did not intend to return to teaching.

However, surrendering registration did not prevent the disciplinary proceedings from continuing.

QCAT concluded that it would have cancelled his registration had he remained registered. It instead prohibited him from reapplying for registration or permission to teach until 15 November 2026.

Together with the earlier suspension, the tribunal described this as an effective 15-month restriction. It selected the end date so that KIT could not reapply while the suspended sentence period remained current.

The tribunal considered his relative inexperience as a registered teacher to be a mitigating factor. However, it also noted the child’s young age and vulnerability, his limited insight and the absence of evidence that he had undertaken remedial action.

Any future application for registration or permission to teach must be accompanied by an independent psychologist’s report satisfactory to the Queensland College of Teachers.

The report must address KIT’s suitability to teach and work in a child-related field, the likelihood of the behaviour recurring, and whether he has understood and addressed his legal and professional responsibilities.

These include protecting children from physical, psychological and emotional harm, adhering to the College’s Code of Ethics, recognising risks and understanding the trust and power associated with being a teacher.

The requirement does not guarantee that a future application will be approved.

The orders concern Queensland teacher registration and permission to teach. They do not impose an indefinite prohibition on every form of employment in early childhood education and care.

The judgment does not establish KIT’s current working-with-children clearance or determine whether separate ECEC regulatory action has been taken.

It also explains that common assault was not classified as a “serious offence” or “disqualifying offence” under the statutory definitions relevant to the proceeding. Those classifications do not diminish the seriousness of the conduct, which QCAT expressly recognised.

The tribunal explained that disciplinary action serves to uphold professional standards, maintain public confidence and protect the public, rather than simply punish the individual.

For early childhood providers, the case highlights the importance of effective supervision, responding promptly to concerns about children’s safety, preserving relevant evidence and acting on reporting obligations.

Support and reporting contacts

• If a child is in immediate danger, call 000.
• Concerns about a child in Queensland can be reported to Child Safety’s Regional Intake Services. After hours and on weekends, call 1800 177 135.
• Children and young people can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, available 24 hours a day.
• Anyone needing crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours a day.