B1. Applying for HALT accreditation

Section B1 describes the requirements and application processes for teachers applying for HALT accreditation. 

It covers:

• prerequisites for HALT application – see B1.1
• the HALT accreditation requirements – see B1.2
• the different components of the application process – see B1.3
• how NESA makes HALT accreditation decisions – see B1.4.

B1.1 Prerequisites for HALT applications  

B1.1.1 Applicants must be eligible to apply for HALT accreditation

Teachers should check they are eligible to apply for HALT accreditation. 

HALT applicants must:

• be Australian citizens or permanent residents or New Zealand citizens who teach or have taught in a NSW school/service
• be accredited at Proficient Teacher or above
• have been assessed as satisfactory in their 2 most recent annual performance assessments (for Highly Accomplished Teacher applicants); or
• have been assessed as satisfactory in their 3 most recent annual performance assessments (for Lead Teacher applicants).

Teachers without an annual performance assessment must have their principal/TA Delegate/employer verify that their performance is satisfactory.

B1.1.2 Applicants must meet the prerequisites to open a HALT application 

Eligible teachers who decide to apply for HALT accreditation must:

• discuss their intention and readiness to apply with their principal/TA Delegate/employer
• complete the HALT Orientation Course
• start an application for either Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher in eTAMS
• pay the first instalment of the application fee. 

Verifying eligibility

After the teacher has started an application in eTAMS, their principal/TA Delegate/employer must verify that the teacher:

• has indicated their intention to apply with them
• is eligible to apply as set out in B1.1.1.

Completing the HALT Orientation Course

All applicants must complete NESA’s online HALT Orientation Course before they start their HALT accreditation application. The course supports teachers to:

• understand the HALT application process and requirements
• understand the practice described in the Standards for HALTs
• reflect on their practice against the Standards for HALTs.

Paying the fee

After a principal/TA Delegate/employer has verified a teacher’s eligibility, the teacher must pay the first of the three instalments of the application fee to start within 12 months of the verification. If the teacher does not pay within 12 months, their eligibility will need to be verified again. 

The fees are determined by the TA Regulation and are published on the NESA website. 

B1.1.3 Teachers who are interstate HALTs can apply for mutual recognition

Teachers who hold national certification as a HALT in another state or territory are eligible to be accredited at the same level in NSW. 

Interstate teachers must first apply to NESA for accreditation in NSW under mutual recognition arrangements (see A2.3).

To have their national certification recognised, a teacher must provide:

• a copy of their HALT accreditation certificate and/or other document(s) that confirm the date and jurisdiction of the certification
• evidence of completion of maintenance (renewal), where relevant.

NESA may contact another certifying authority to confirm the teacher’s status before changing the teacher’s record in eTAMS. 

The teacher's HALT maintenance period starts on the date they are recognised as a HALT in NSW.

B1.2 HALT accreditation requirements

B1.2.1 Applicants must demonstrate the HALT Standards

HALT applications take a modular approach. Across 2 modules, HALT applicants must meet requirements to demonstrate that their practice meets the Standards for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher to achieve accreditation at the applicable level.

To meet the requirements, applicants must:

• provide evidence of their practice that demonstrates 20 Standard Descriptors at Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher level across 2 modules, including the mandated Standard Descriptors (see B1.2.2)
• submit at least one module (10 Standard Descriptors equivalent) directly to NESA which includes evidence of their direct impact on students/children and colleagues from teaching in a NSW school/service
• participate in a Site Visit at a school/service after they have completed their first module.

After applicants submit the second module, they will have the opportunity to revise their evidence for any Standard Descriptors not yet met if required (see B1.3.5).

Application timeframe

There is no minimum or maximum timeframe to complete a HALT application.

Maintaining current accreditation

All applicants must continue to maintain accreditation at their current level within their maintenance timeframe (see A4 or B2), while developing their application for HALT accreditation.

Employment status 

Applicants must be employed in a NSW school/service based role at the time of participating in a Site Visit.

Applicants who are on a Leave of Absence from their NSW teacher accreditation may submit their modules but must be actively accredited to complete a Site Visit.

B1.2.2 Applicants must submit evidence that meets the requirements 

To demonstrate 20 Standard Descriptors at HALT level, applicants must submit evidence that relates to teaching and implementing the NSW curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 (EYLF). 

Mandated Standard Descriptors

Among the 20 Standard Descriptors that an applicant must demonstrate in their application:

• 14 Standard Descriptors are mandated by NESA
• 6 Standard Descriptors are selected by applicants.

A list of the mandatory Standard Descriptors is available on the NESA website.

Evidence requirements

An applicant’s evidence must demonstrate:

• the practice that is described in the identified HALT Standard Descriptors over a period of time
• the direct or indirect impact of the teacher’s practice on colleagues and student/child learning progress and achievement
• the applicant’s reflection on their practice and their impact
• how the applicant influences and supports colleagues to improve their practice relative to each Standard Descriptor they nominate.

Applicants do not need to demonstrate their practice over a specified number of hours or teaching load, but they must be responsible for an ongoing teaching program and the assessment of students/children. ²¹

B1.2.3 There are 4 types of evidence

The 4 types of evidence applicants may include are:

• documentary evidence of direct impact on students/children and colleagues (must be included in at least one module)
• documentary evidence of indirect impact
• documentary evidence from a collaborative initiative
• evidence developed in a NESA recognised program.

Documentary evidence of direct impact on students/children and colleagues

All applicants must submit directly to NESA at least one module (10 Standard Descriptors equivalent) of documentary evidence demonstrating their direct impact on students/children and colleagues from teaching in a NSW school/service.

All evidence submitted directly to NESA must contain the items set out in the table below.

Documentary evidence of indirect impact

For up to 10 Standard Descriptors, applicants in a non-school/service-based role can include documentary evidence that is developed while not teaching in a school/service that demonstrates indirect impact on students/children and colleagues in schools/services.

Documentary evidence from a collaborative initiative

For up to 10 Standard Descriptors, a group of applicants can submit work produced in a collaborative project or initiative they participated in as evidence to demonstrate practice and impact at the relevant level.

Multiple applicants who participated in the collaborative project can submit the same evidence.

The evidence from the collaborative project or initiative must contain the items set out in the table below.

Evidence from participation of a NESA recognised program

For one module only, applicants can complete a NESA recognised program demonstrating 6-10 Standard Descriptors at the relevant level.

Applicants will produce evidence during the program that the program manager will assess. NESA will give credit to the applicant for any Standard Descriptors verified by the program manager as successfully demonstrated.

NESA approves individual programs that:

• are developed by or in partnership with a school/service and/or sector/system/university or organisation
• support teachers to fully demonstrate nominated Standard Descriptors at HALT level
• provide explicit opportunities for participants to contribute to their colleagues’ learning to improve practice and student/child outcomes.

Applications for recognition of individual programs are made directly to NESA and must include a program manager to:

• complete HALT Assessor training, collect and assess evidence produced by the applicants and verify their demonstration of the nominated Standard Descriptors
• submit sample evidence from applicants for independent moderation, where requested by NESA.

Information on NESA recognised programs and a list of these programs are available on the NESA website. Applicants must contact their employer or the relevant organisation directly for access to these programs.

B1.3 Application process

B1.3.1 There are 2 pathways to apply for HALT accreditation

Applicants can choose from one of the following pathways to demonstrate their practice at Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher as applicable:

• submit all documentary evidence for the 20 Standard Descriptors directly to NESA (see B1.3.2); or
• complete a NESA recognised program and submit documentary evidence directly to NESA for the balance of the 20 Standard Descriptors (see B1.3.3).

In either pathway, if an applicant does not successfully demonstrate practice against a Standard Descriptor(s) in their first module, they can re-submit evidence in relation to that Standard Descriptor(s) in the next module. If required, an applicant may submit more than 5 evidence sets in their second module, to account for any Standard Descriptors not successfully demonstrated in the first module.

B1.3.2 All documentary evidence submitted directly to NESA

Under this pathway, applicants must submit documentary evidence (see B1.2.3) to demonstrate 10 Standard Descriptors at the relevant level in the first module through no more than 5 sets of documentary evidence.

At least one module (10 Standard Descriptors equivalent) must be documentary evidence demonstrating the applicant’s direct impact on students/children and colleagues from teaching in a NSW school/service.

Applicants must request and complete a Site Visit following assessment of the first module.

B1.3.3 NESA Recognised program and documentary evidence

Under this pathway, applicants must:

• complete a NESA recognised program for one module only and be verified by the program manager for successfully demonstrating between 6 and 10 Standard Descriptors at the relevant level; and
• submit documentary evidence directly to NESA for the balance of the 20 Standard Descriptors (see B1.2.3 for evidence requirements).

Applicants must request and complete a Site Visit following assessment of the first module.

B1.3.4 Applicants must complete a Site Visit

To achieve accreditation at HALT level, applicants must participate in a Site Visit at a school/service. The Site Visit will be conducted by an External Assessor.

Subject to availability, NESA will appoint an External Assessor from the same sector/system and context as the applicant (i.e. early childhood, primary or secondary school).

The Site Visit must be:

• at a school/service where the applicant has taught students/children over a sustained period of time
• after the applicant has completed their first module and before they submit their second module. 

Elements of the Site Visit

During the Site Visit the External Assessor will:

• observe 3 sessions of practice – at least 2 must be when the applicant is teaching students/children in a lesson/learning experience
• engage in professional discussion with the applicant and provide feedback on their observation of the applicant’s practice against the Standard Descriptors nominated by the applicant for the Site Visit
• conduct a structured 30-minute interview with the applicant’s principal/TA Delegate/employer, or their delegate who holds Proficient Teacher accreditation or above.

If the applicant is a principal/TA Delegate or works in an early childhood context where there is no TA Delegate or other appropriate individual who can provide evaluative comments about the applicant’s practice, NESA will determine a suitable person to participate in the interview.

Visit the NESA website for more information and advice about the Site Visit.

Site Visit Report

Within 72 hours of finishing the Site Visit, the External Assessor will submit a report in eTAMS that documents:

• their observation of the applicant’s teaching practice, including the nominated Standard Descriptors met (or not met) during the Site Visit
• any other Standard Descriptors they observed, whether or not the applicant nominated them
• feedback to the applicant about their practice (as provided in the professional discussion)
• the interview between the External Assessor and the principal/TA Delegate/employer, or a nominated delegate.

B1.3.5 HALT Assessors review the evidence

Documentary evidence directly submitted to NESA is reviewed by HALT Assessors in line with the process set out below.

Initial checks and allocation of HALT Assessors

When an applicant submits an evidence module, NESA checks that it meets the requirements. If it does not, the applicant is advised to amend and resubmit the module.

NESA then allocates 2 HALT Assessors to review the evidence in the module. The HALT Assessors are allocated according to their availability. One of them will be from the same sector/system and context the applicant and one will be from a different sector/system and context, where possible.

The allocated HALT Assessors will:

• review the documentary evidence
• prepare a HALT Module Report on their assessment.

HALT Module Reports

The HALT Assessors prepare a HALT Module Report detailing their assessment, which includes:

• feedback on the extent to which the evidence demonstrates practice against the identified Standard Descriptors
• advice about the quality of the submitted documentary evidence
• which Standard Descriptors were demonstrated or partially demonstrated in the module and which were not demonstrated (if any).

NESA provides the completed HALT Module Report to the applicant within 28 days from when the applicant submits the module.

Appointment of a third HALT Assessor

In some cases, NESA will appoint a third assessor to assess a module and reach a consensus, including when:

• the 2 HALT Assessors’ judgements differ about the extent to which an applicant has demonstrated practice at the Standards
• a third assessor is requested by either of the HALT Assessors. 

Where NESA appoints a third HALT Assessor, they will be from the same sector/system and context as the applicant.

NESA will allow an extra 7 days for the 3 HALT Assessors to complete their assessment, which means the Module Report will be provided to the applicant within 35 days of submission. NESA will notify the applicant about the extended timeframe.

Requesting revisions from an applicant

After assessing an applicant’s second module, NESA may ask an applicant to revise documentary evidence where one or more of the submitted Standard Descriptors have not yet been fully demonstrated. Where revisions are requested, NESA will provide feedback and advice to the applicant on the Standard Descriptor(s) not yet successfully demonstrated.

After an applicant has submitted their revised documentary evidence, the HALT Assessors will complete a HALT Module Report based on all evidence submitted, including any revised evidence. If an applicant does not respond to the request for revisions, NESA will proceed with making an accreditation decision based on the initial submission of the second module.

B1.3.6 Assessors must avoid conflicts of interest

Assessors must meet their conflict-of-interest responsibilities as listed in their contract with NESA (see E2.2.2).

Current applicants for HALT accreditation are not permitted to be assessors.

If an assessor starts a HALT accreditation application, they will be ineligible to be an assessor until an accreditation decision is made on their application.

B1.3.7 NESA reviews the applicant’s completed application

An application for HALT accreditation is complete when an applicant has:

• completed the requirements for and submitted all evidence modules, including any revisions requested by NESA
• participated in a Site Visit.

NESA may contact:

• an applicant to clarify any aspect of their application
• the External Assessor to clarify any aspect of the Site Visit Report
• the applicant’s workplace or employer to clarify any aspects of an application.

B1.4 Accreditation decision

B1.4.1 NESA will make a decision based on the evidence

NESA makes HALT accreditation decisions based on:

• its assessment of the applicant’s evidence modules, as documented in the HALT Module Reports
• the applicant’s demonstration of nominated Standard Descriptors, as verified by the program manager of a NESA recognised program (if applicable)
• the External Assessor’s Site Visit Report.

NESA will make its decision within 28 days of the applicant submitting either:

• their second module; or
• any required revisions (if applicable).

An additional 7 days may be required if a third HALT assessor is needed.

NESA can decide that the applicant either:

• meets all HALT accreditation requirements, so NESA will accredit them at the higher level; or
• does not meet all HALT accreditation requirements, so NESA will not accredit them at the higher level.

Decision to accredit

If an applicant meets all the accreditation requirements for HALT, as set out in B1.2, NESA will accredit the applicant at the level they applied for.

NESA will then:

• notify the applicant in writing and include information about maintaining their HALT accreditation
• record the higher accreditation level in eTAMS.

The teacher will start their first maintenance of accreditation period at the higher level on the date that NESA records the accreditation decision in eTAMS (See B2).

Decision to not accredit

If an applicant does not meet one or more of the requirements for HALT accreditation as set out in B1.2, NESA will decide to not accredit the applicant at the level for which they applied.

NESA will then:

• notify the applicant in writing, including the reasons for the decision, specific feedback on their practice and advice to support their ongoing development
• record the decision in eTAMS.

Applicants whose HALT application is unsuccessful will remain:

• accredited at their current level
• subject to the applicable maintenance of accreditation requirements and timeframes.

B1.4.2 Teachers may seek a review of a HALT accreditation decision

A teacher may apply to NESA for an internal review of a decision to not accredit them at HALT level within 28 days of being notified.

Details on how to apply are on NESA’s website.

After the internal review is finalised, the teacher may apply to have the decision reviewed by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

²¹ If working in a non-school/service-based role, applicants must submit evidence of their teaching practice collected while they were employed in a school/service-based role within the past 5 years.