Educators with teaching accreditation but without existing approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education

If you:

are a qualified teacher currently teaching at a Catholic or independent school in NSW, or
are a qualified teacher from another Australian state or territory, or
have completed teacher education studies at a tertiary institution outside Australia, or
are a final-year initial teacher education student with conditional teaching accreditation from NESA, or
are a qualified teacher currently retired or on leave from an education system external to the NSW Department of Education,

and wish to be employed as a teacher with the NSW Department of Education, the next step towards gaining employment through the COVID intensive learning support program involves applying for your approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education.

You can apply for approval to teach via the online application system. Approval to teach involves a number of important steps outlined below.

1. Get ready to apply

Before you begin your application you will need to

Obtain a NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) for paid employment from the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian. Please note that you can only complete this process in person in NSW.
Apply for and gain accreditation as a teacher in NSW through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). If you are currently registered with another Australian teacher registration body, this registration may be recognised by NESA. You should refer to the NESA website for a guide to getting your interstate teaching registration recognised.

You will be emailed an accreditation letter from NESA which includes your accreditation number status and the list of subjects you have been accredited to teach.

2. Start your application

Now you are ready to apply for approval to teach in NSW public schools.

In the online application you will be asked to provide your personal information and upload the mandatory documentation required, including your identity documentation, university transcripts, employment screening consent and evidence of high-quality teaching supported by a work report or written reference from the school principal or authorised officer from a school or schools where you have previously worked.

You will need to select the areas or schools where you would prefer to work. Information about NSW public schools can be found at the School Finder website.

You can now submit your application. Once your application for approval to teach has been submitted successfully you will be sent an email acknowledging receipt.

Your application will then be assessed by the department to determine your eligibility for approval to teach in NSW public schools.

3. Progress your application

You will receive an email once your application has been assessed and validated. Included are details of the subjects you are accredited in and the next steps you will need to complete.

Eligible teachers will also be given an interim approval to teach at this time enabling them to be matched with schools recruiting for the COVID intensive learning support program.

You will now proceed to the teacher suitability assessment stage.

4. Finalise your application

In order to gain your full approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education you will need to complete an online interview and online assessments measuring cognitive and emotional intelligence.

You will be notified via email of the outcome of your application for approval to teach.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to be employed as an Educator (non-teacher) then you should follow the Educator (non-teacher) application process.

Read the FAQs

Get answers to your questions about the COVID intensive learning support program.

Find out more

For additional information, contact the COVID Intensive Learning Support Program team on 1300 338 679.