FASTstream
About the FASTstream program
The NSW Department of Education is committed to ensuring that every student, every teacher, every leader and every school improves every year. We know that excellence in leadership is a crucial factor in determining student and school success, so to ensure our school communities have strong future leaders, the department has developed the FASTstream program.
The FASTstream program is an excellent opportunity for new and experienced teachers and executive to accelerate their career to school principalship, with participants being skilled, supported and equipped to lead our schools of the future within 10 years.
Each year, 50 FASTstream participants from across NSW receive one-on-one coaching and mentoring from current school leaders, whilst completing placements that are tailored to their individual development needs and developing their professional practice. The School Leadership Institute also provides FASTstream participants with evidence-informed professional development and training.
As boosting the supply of high-quality teachers in regional locations is a key priority for the department, participants will experience teaching and leading within regional NSW public school contexts as they hone their professional leadership and management practices.
FASTstream applications are open to:
- Current teachers and executive members in NSW public schools, and other educational systems in Australia.
- Initial teacher education students completing their studies by the end of 2024.
All FASTstream participants will be appointed to a permanent teaching position in NSW Education.
Program phases
Phase 1a- Classroom Teacher
In this phase, participants will:
- Be appointed above establishment as a classroom teacher and may have a reduced teaching load to support the development of classroom skills.
- Attain accreditation as a proficient teacher once they have demonstrated the standard descriptors from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
- Receive mentorship from a teacher leader or a member of the school executive team.
Phase 1b - Teacher Leader
In this phase, participants will:
- Be appointed above establishment as a classroom teacher, with the opportunity to undertake different teaching/leadership roles within the school.
- Receive mentorship from a teacher leader or a member of the school executive team.
- Engage with professional development through the School Leadership Insititute's Middle Leader Induction Program.
Phase 2 - Middle Leadership
In this phase, participants will:
- Be appointed above establishment as an assistant principal or head teacher with a teaching load commensurate with their position.
- Receive mentorship from a member of the school executive team.
- Develop the capabilities and leadership skills to lead a stage, faculty or team and an area of whole school responsibility beyond their classroom.
- Engage with leadership development opportunities through the School Leadership Institute.
Phase 3 - Senior Leadership
In the final phase, participants will:
- Be appointed as an above establishment deputy principal, assistant principal or teaching principal.
- Receive mentorship from the principal at their assigned school.
- Engage with leadership development through the School Leadership Institute.
Check your eligibility
Find out if you are eligible to apply.
Find out more
Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Talk to us
Contact the FASTstream program team via FASTstreamprogram@det.nsw.edu.au.
Online information webinar
An online information webinar was hosted by the NSW Department of Education on Tuesday, 2 May 2023.
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If you would like to accelerate your public education career and make a difference as a future school leader, subscribe to be notified when applications open or when new program information becomes available.
Watch their stories
Hear first-hand from those who have accelerated their careers through the FASTstream program.