Identity requirements
You will need to provide 3 forms of identification when applying for teacher accreditation. Find out what ID documents we can accept, who can certify copies, and how to submit them.
Take a picture of yourself holding your photo ID
Step 1. Take a photo of yourself holding your photo ID.
Ensure your face and ID are in focus and there are no obstructions
Step 2. Ensure your face and ID are in focus and there are no obstructions. Make sure your photo is not blurry.
Upload the image into eTAMS using the 'Upload' button
Step 3. Upload the image into eTAMS using the 'Upload' button.
- Full Australian birth certificate, not an extract or birth card
- Australian passport
- ImmiCard issued by the Department of Home Affairs
- Australian visa supported by a foreign passport
- Australian citizenship certificate.
- Australian passport
- Australian driver's licence, learner's permit or provisional licence issued by a state or territory, showing a photo and a signature of the same name that is claimed
- ImmiCardissued by the Department of Home Affairs
- Australian marriage certificate, issued by a state or territory (church or celebrant-issued certificates are not accepted)
- Passport issued by a country other than Australia with a valid entry stamp or visa
- Proof of age or photo identitycard issued by an Australian Government agency in the name of the applicant, with a photo
- Firearms licence showing a signature and photo (not minor or junior permit or licence).
- Foreign government issued documents (for example driver licence)
- Medicare card
- A relationship certificate issued by a state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages
- Australian Electoral Commission enrolment document
- Evidence of right to an Australian Government benefit issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs
- Photo identity card issued by the Australian Government or a state or territory government
- Firearms licence showing a signature and photo (not minor or junior permit or licence).
- Australian tertiary student photo identity document
- Bank card, credit card or bank statement
- State or territory government rates assessment notice or Australian Taxation Office assessment notice
- Australian utility bill showing name and address
- Australian private health insurance card.
Why we take this information
As part of your suitability to teach assessment, we may need to conduct a nationally coordinated criminal history check.
The check is done through the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
ACIC requires NESA to biometrically link you to your ID. We do this by comparing your photo of yourself against your photo ID to ensure we have the right person.
The biometric link assists ACIC to:
- confirm your identity and provide an accurate criminal history check result
- ensure that sensitive information is not disclosed to an unauthorised person.
How to get your documents certified
All ID must be certified and either uploaded to your NESA online account (eTAMS) or sent electronically.
You must sign, date and print your name in the presence of the person certifying your proof of identity documents.
The certifying person must:
- write on the copy, ‘I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.’
- sign and print their name
- provide a contact telephone number
- state their profession or occupation group
- write on the copy the date certified
- list the appropriate registration number, and
- affix the official stamp or seal of the certifier's organisation on the copy, if available.
Who can certify documents
Documents can be certified by a:
- Justice of the Peace (the copy must show their registered number)
- principal or another accredited teacher of a NSW government or non-government school
- bail justice
- barrister
- commissioner for affidavits
- commissioner for oaths
- judge
- police officer at the rank of sergeant, or the highest ranking officer in the station
- proclaimed bank manager
- medical practitioner who is registered under the Medical Practice Act 1992
- minister of religion who is authorised to celebrate marriages
- sheriff
- solicitor.