Teaching standards timeline
Teaching in NSW is a standards-based profession. Since 2004, every teacher has used the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the Standards) and engaged in the accreditation process.


Year | Key events |
---|---|
2018 | All NSW teachers required to be accredited The Teacher Accreditation Act 2004 (amended 2014) requires all NSW teachers to be accredited against Australian standards from 2018 in order to teach in NSW schools. |
2017 | NESA replaces BOSTES The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) replaces the NSW Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) with responsibility for quality teaching, learning, assessment and school standards. |
2014 | BOSTES established The NSW Institute of Teachers ceased and BOSTES established with responsibility for school curriculum, assessment, and teaching and regulatory standards. |
2013 | The department endorsed to provide courses at higher stages The NSW Department of Education (the department) gains broad endorsement to provide registered professional learning to assist teachers to maintain their accreditation at the highly accomplished and lead teacher career stage. |
2012 | Australian Professional Standards for Teachers adopted in NSW The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers is adopted and all NSW teachers employed after 1 October 2012 are required to become accredited to Australian standards. |
2011 | Australian Professional Standards for Teachers released The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) releases the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the standards) as a public statement that makes explicit what effective teachers should know and be able to do. |
2010 | AITSL established by the Australian Government AITSL established to provide national leadership in promoting excellence in teaching and school leadership. |
2008 | Melbourne Declaration Through the 2008 Melbourne Declaration, all Australian states and territories commit to ensuring that all young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active informed citizens. |
2006 | The department endorsed to provide registered courses The department gains broad endorsement to provide registered professional development to assist teachers to maintain their accreditation at the proficient teacher career stage. |
2004 | Teaching standards introduced in NSW The NSW Institute of Teachers is established, by the department, in an Act of Parliament. NSW Professional Teaching Standards are introduced and all teachers employed after 1 October 2004 are required to become accredited against the standards. |
Learn more
- Teaching standards:
- Teaching standards timeline (current webpage)
- Applying for Proficient Teacher accreditation (staff only)
- Maintaining Proficient Teacher accreditation (staff only)
- Applying for HALT accreditation (staff only)
- Maintaining HALT accreditation (staff only)
- Teaching standards in action (TSA) courses
- Strong start great teachers (SSGT).
Department resources
- Performance and Development for School Teachers
- Quality teaching rounds
- Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE)