Understanding Proficient Teacher accreditation
When you are first accredited, you are given either Provisional or Conditional accreditation. Your next step is to work towards achieving the mandatory level of Proficient Teacher.
You do this by developing your practice throughout your daily work in a school or early childhood service.
Teachers engage in professional activities across the 3 domains of teaching:
- Professional Knowledge
- Professional Practice
- Professional Engagement.
The process for becoming a Proficient Teacher helps you develop your teaching practice according to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the Standards). It's a school or service-based process where your colleagues, school or service, and the profession as a whole support you.
All teachers must also meet the conditions of accreditation set out in Section A1.2 of the NSW Teacher Accreditation Manual (the TA Manual).
Accreditation timeframes
You must achieve Proficient Teacher accreditation within a set timeframe. Your timeframe is based on your employment at the time you were first accredited.
Provisionally accredited teachers:
- Full-time employment – 3 years
- Casual or part-time employment – 5 years
Conditionally accredited teachers:
- Full-time employment – 4 years
- Casual or part-time – 6 years
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) recommends you have taught in a school or service for at least 160 days before applying for Proficient Teacher.
Early childhood sector
Accreditation Supervisors
If you are employed in a service without a Proficient Teacher, NESA will allocate you an Accreditation Supervisor through a Community of Practice. Due to high demand, you are prioritised for a position in a Community of Practice based on your accreditation due date.
For information on getting a supervisor assigned, email ECTaccreditation@nesa.nsw.edu.au.
Non-school or service-based teachers
If you are a non-school or service-based teacher interested in applying for Proficient Teacher accreditation, contact our accreditation team for more information at nsbaccreditation@nesa.nsw.edu.au.