Apply for Proficient Teacher accreditation

The content on this page has moved to a new location.

Why has it moved?

We are migrating our website content to a new location on the NSW Government website so it's easier for you to find and read content.

All teacher accreditation information is now available at nsw.gov.au/NESA.

From 20 March, this page will no longer exist, and you will be automatically redirected to the NSW Government website.


All teachers need to work towards being accredited at Proficient Teacher. Here's what you need to know about applying for your accreditation.

Early Childhood sector

The NSW Teacher Accreditation Manual (the TA Manual) is being implemented in stages.

Interim procedures on how to apply for Proficient Teacher accreditation are available until the TA Manual comes into full effect during 2024.

Overview of Proficient Teacher accreditation

  1. Begin your application in eTAMS

    • Complete the online orientation course
    • Talk with your principal
    • Accreditation Supervisor allocated to you
    • Read the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

  2. Develop your practice

    • Engage in professional activities across the 3 domains
    • Collect documentary evidence of your practice
    • Complete an observation of practice

  3. Finalise your application

    • Submit your application in eTAMS
    • Accreditation Supervisor makes a declaration
    • Principal makes a recommendation to NESA

  4. The accreditation decision

    • NESA makes an accreditation decision
    • Your first maintenance of accreditation begins

Understanding Proficient Teacher accreditation

Teachers enter the profession provisionally or conditionally accredited and develop their teaching practice as they work towards achieving the mandatory accreditation level of Proficient Teacher.

Proficient Teacher accreditation is a process that supports teachers to develop their practice aligned with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the Standards). It is a structured school-based process where teachers are supported by their colleagues, schools and the profession.

Provisionally and conditionally accredited teachers develop their practice throughout their daily work in a school by participating in a range of professional activities.

Teachers engage in professional activities across the 3 domains of teaching:

  • Professional Knowledge
  • Professional Practice
  • Professional Engagement.

All teachers must meet the conditions of accreditation set out in Section 1 of the NSW Teacher Accreditation Manual (TA Manual) to become and remain accredited in NSW.

Accreditation timeframes

You need to achieve Proficient Teacher accreditation within a set timeframe. Your timeframe is based on your employment at the time you were initially accredited.

Provisionally accredited teachers:

  • Full time: 3 years
  • Casual or part-time: 5 years

Conditionally accredited teachers:

  • Full time: 4 years
  • Casual or part-time: 6 years

As a guide, a minimum of 160 days of teaching should give a provisionally or conditionally accredited teacher adequate opportunity to meet the accreditation requirements.

Supporting teachers applying for Proficient Teacher accreditation

Principals and service directors

Employers

Accreditation Supervisors

Related information

Can't find what you're looking for? Search Resources

Share this page

Copied