About the RATEP program

RATEP is a community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teacher education pathway.

Established in 1990, and previously known as the Remote Area Teacher Education Program (operating only in remote areas), it now reflects a broad community base, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in urban and rural areas in Queensland, as well as remote areas.

It works to increase the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers through a teacher education pathway supported by a partnership between TAFE Queensland, James Cook University, and the Queensland Department of Education. The pathway has been awarded the Premier’s Award for Partnership and Reconciliation (2004), the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Committee Award for Excellence in Partnerships, Pathways & Policies (2006) and an Australian Award for University Teaching for Programs that Enhance Learning (2012).  In 2020 the partnership celebrated its 30th year.

This pathway enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete teacher education through external study with high levels of support, including vocational education studies through TAFE Queensland, and leading to a Bachelor of Education (Primary) completed at James Cook University.  Students can choose to study at a number of RATEP sites throughout Queensland, as well as via an off-site model.

Want to know more about RATEP? Read about RATEP graduate Courtney Hawkins' journey to becoming a full-time teacher at a school she loves.