Institute of Teachers
About the institute
The NSW Institute of Teachers was formed by the NSW government to ensure all accredited teachers meet agreed and consistent standards identifying the knowledge, skills, understandings and professional values required for effective teaching and to help raise the profile of the teaching profession.
A New Scheme Teacher is described as:
- A person who is employed as a teacher for the first time in NSW from 1 October 2004 onwards;
- A person returning to teaching after an absence of 5 or more years; or
- A person who has only taught interstate or overseas.
Does a teacher in a Catholic school need to be accredited?
All new scheme teachers must be accredited. It is an offence to work without accreditation. Catholic Education, Diocese of Parramatta, is a Teacher Accreditation Authority.
When new teachers are first employed, the Teacher Accreditation Authority will determine whether to provisionally or conditionally accredit them. New scheme teachers will have to attain the level of professional competence within either three years, for those with provisional accreditation, or four years, for those with conditional accreditation. Catholic Education, Parramatta provides teachers with support and guidance during the accreditation process.
Casual, part-time or temporary teachers will have longer to complete the accreditation.
Existing teachers do not have to be accredited. However, they can apply to be accredited at higher levels. They can apply to be accredited at Professional Competence and higher levels. Accreditation at these levels is voluntary.
Teachers must remain as a financial member of the NSW Institute of Teachers. Membership is due in December annually. Once accredited, teachers are required to maintain their accreditation according to the NSW Institute of Teachers requirements, by continuing to meet all Professional Teaching Standards and undertaking Professional Development.
For a more detailed account of which teachers require accreditation see
Description of Teachers.
What is the accreditation process in Parramatta systemic schools?
NSW Institute of Teachers accreditation is required. If you have not previously been accredited, you should apply at the Institute’s website at http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/.
Also refer to the Classification & Accreditation page.
Further Information
For further information contact the staffing and accreditation officers (Staff Services) by phone on (02) 9840 5600 during weekdays between 8:00am and 4:30pm.
Alternatively you can use our contact us page and select 'Teacher Accreditation Process' from the email enquiry type.