The NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, has announced that legislation has been introduced in NSW to ensure that all NSW teachers are accredited by 2017. The Teacher Accreditation Amendment Bill 2014 (NSW) (Bill) was introduced to NSW Parliament on 10 September 2014 and is subject to further debate. The Bill will amend the accreditation provisions of the Teacher Accreditation Act 2004 (NSW) (Act) to implement the changes proposed by Mr Piccoli.
More than 60,000 NSW teachers are already accredited with the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) under the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Standards) and Mr Piccoli expects this number to increase to 75,000.
Until now, only those teachers who began teaching after October 2004, or who had a break from teaching of five years or more, have needed to be accredited.
Accreditation will mean full-time teachers must:
Teachers who have their accreditation revoked under the Act may also have their employment terminated by their employer.
Amongst other changes, the Bill also:
BOSTES President Tom Alegounarias is quoted in Mr Piccoli's press release as saying that the new accreditation requirements for school teachers will be rolled out in partnership with the school sectors over the next three years.