Approval to teach
What is approval to teach?
The NSW Department of Education is the largest education system in Australia, with a range of employment opportunities available for qualified teachers.
Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced teacher seeking employment in NSW public schools, you will need to successfully meet the department’s requirements for approval to teach.
Pre-service teachers studying at NSW and ACT universities, La Trobe University, and Griffith University are eligible to apply under the Graduate Recruitment Program. The department also encourages final-year students from universities across Australia who are eligible, to apply for and gain approval to teach in NSW public schools.
Before you start your approval to teach application, you will need a NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment from the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian. You will also need to apply for and gain accreditation from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Once you have your valid WWCC number and your NESA ID you are ready to apply for approval to teach.
To find specific steps you need to follow to gain approval to teach, select your pathway below:
- Pre-service teachers who commenced a teacher education course prior to 2019 (including graduates from NSW, interstate and overseas)
- Pre-service teachers who commenced a teacher education course from January 2019 onwards (including graduates from NSW, interstate and overseas)
- Experienced NSW public school teachers returning after a break from service
- Experienced interstate or overseas teachers or teachers from other NSW systems
Submit your approval to teach application
Read the FAQs
Get answers to your questions about the approval to teach process.
Be Inspired
Learn more about the experiences of current NSW Department of Education teachers.