What you need to Know
- What is the NSW Institute of Teachers?
- What does accreditation mean?
- Do I have to pay a fee?
- What is a Teacher Accreditation Authority?
- Further information on the NSW Institute of Teachers
What is the NSW Institute of Teachers?
The NSW Institute of Teachers (the Institute) has been established through the Institute of Teachers Act 2004 to support quality teaching in all NSW schools. Its charter is to advance the status and standing of the teaching profession.
The Institute is an independent statutory authority to oversee a system of accreditation and recognition of teachers' professional capacity against professional standards. It also provides a process for the profession to influence the quality of teacher training and continuing professional development.
Click here to view the Professional Teaching Standards Framework.
What does accreditation mean?
Accreditation is the means by which teachers' achievement of professional standards can be valued, supported and publicly recognised. It recognises and certifies a teacher's achievement of the Professional Teaching Standards.
All teachers, including casual and temporary teachers, who were employed for the first time in NSW after 30 September 2004, or who are returning to teaching after a break of five years or more after this date, are be considered new scheme teachers.
Accreditation involves two steps:
- 1. Provisional or conditional accreditation at the point of employment
Under the Institute of Teachers Act 2004, all new scheme teachers will need to be provisionally or conditionally accredited before they may be employed to teach.
From 2009, new scheme teachers not already accredited must apply to the NSW Institute of Teachers for eligibility for initial teacher accreditation. All new scheme teachers must apply to the Institute for an assessment of their qualifications.
To apply for an assessment of eligibility for accreditation, go to the NSWIT website.
- 2. Accreditation at Professional Competence, after a few years of teaching.
When you have received provisional or conditional accreditation at the point of employment, you have a specified timeframe to demonstrate the Professional Teaching Standards at the next level – Professional Competence.
Click here for more information.
Do I have to pay a fee?
All new scheme teachers are required to pay an annual accreditation fee. This fee will be invoiced by the Institute. The Institute will advise you how this fee is to be paid.
What is a Teacher Accreditation Authority?
A Teacher Accreditation Authority is a person or body authorised to determine if a teacher meets the requirements for accreditation at any level within the Institute's Framework of Professional Teaching Standards.
In government schools, the Director-General of Education and Training or nominee has the authority to accredit.
Further information on the NSW Institute of Teachers:
The Institute is located at:
Level 10, 175 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
The Institute can be contacted by:
Mail: PO Box A976 SYDNEY STH NSW 1235
Telephone: 1300 739 338
Email: contactus@nswteachers.nsw.edu.au
Web: http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au
