NESA accreditation changes to make focusing on teaching easier: attention NSW ECTs

Early childhood teachers (ECTs) in New South Wales will no longer be required to demonstrate their accreditation practice to the NSW regulator every five years.

 

The changes will bring NSW into line with other states and territories. From November 2023, teachers from early childhood through to high school will simply need to declare to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) that they have completed the required professional development aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

 

Principals, directors or line managers will no longer need to sign off on a teacher’s practice every five years under the revamp, but early childhood services and schools must continue to notify NESA if they have determined a teacher fails to meet the necessary Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

 

The move is part of the NSW Government’s drive to ensure teachers in early childhood settings, government, Catholic and independent schools are spending more time teaching and less time on administrative tasks.

 

Teachers still need to complete the 100 hours of professional development every five years. Completing professional development ensures teachers are up-to-date with relevant content, skills and pedagogy, and supports their professional growth.

 

The changes place a greater emphasis on the importance of ongoing professional development and recognise that fully accredited teachers are qualified, meet child safety requirements and have already met tough standards to be accredited.

 

“It is vital that we set high benchmarks for teachers entering the profession, but once they are in the classroom we also play a role in ensuring they want to stay,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car.

 

“Removing unnecessary tasks from teachers’ to-do lists is one way we are doing that.”

 

“This is sensible policy that is based on respect for the profession, where appropriate verification and standards are in place. We want teachers who have already demonstrated they meet rigorous standards to focus on doing their job – not spending unnecessary extra hours proving that they are doing it.”