Are teachers in Australia allowed to accept gifts?
Before you buy a gift for your teacher, you might want to know first if they are allowed to accept it. The answer is yes, but there are some rules and guidelines to follow. According to the Department of Education and Training in Australia, teachers can accept gifts from students as long as they are of token value and do not create a conflict of interest or expectation of favouritism. Here are some examples of acceptable and unacceptable gifts:
- Acceptable: A thank you card, a handmade craft, a box of chocolates, a coffee cup, book, candle, gift card for a small amount.
- Unacceptable: Cash, alcohol, jewellery, perfume, clothing, tickets to an event, a gift card for a large amount.
If you are not sure if your present is appropriate, you can always ask your teacher or the school principal for advice. You can also check the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service for more information.
What gifts do teachers REALLY want?
To give your teacher a present that they will love and use, we have some ideas that are not only thoughtful and practical, but also eco-friendly and sustainable. Here are some of our top picks:
- A reusable water bottle or coffee cup. Teachers need to stay hydrated and caffeinated, and what better way to do that than with a stylish and eco-friendly bottle or cup?
- A plant or a seed kit. Teachers love to brighten up their classrooms and homes with some greenery, and a plant or a seed kit is a perfect gift for that. You can choose from succulents, herbs, or flowers, in a cute pot or bag. A seed kit is also a great option, as it allows your teacher to grow their own plants from scratch.
- A donation to a charity or a cause. Teachers are passionate about making a difference in the world, and a donation to a charity or a cause that they care about is a meaningful and generous gift. You can choose from different organisations that support education, environment, health, human rights, or animal welfare, and even get a certificate or a card that shows your donation.
- A reusable shopping bag. Teachers need to carry a lot of stuff around, and a bag is a handy gift for that.
- Quality that lasts. Teachers do not want something that will break easily or have a limited life, and they rarely want novelty gifts that quickly become useless and discarded.
These are just some of the gifts that teachers really want that you can find in our collection. We hope this helps you choose gifts for teachers in Australia that they will appreciate and enjoy. We have gifts for all kinds of teachers and occasions, from Christmas to end of year to thank you.