In New South Wales, all educators must be accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to be eligible to teach in schools or approved early childhood services. If your accreditation has lapsed, here’s what you need to know and how to regain it.
Why Accreditation Is Essential
Teachers in NSW are required to:
Maintain accreditation with NESA.
Hold a valid Working with Children Check clearance.
Satisfy the Department of Education's requirements for teaching approval.
Without these, you cannot be verified on ClassCover or teach in NSW schools.
Understanding Your Maintenance Period
To maintain your teacher accreditation, you must achieve Proficient Teacher status within a specific timeframe from your initial accreditation. Your accreditation period depends on your teaching workload:
Full-time teachers: 5 years.
Casual or part-time teachers: 7 years.
As a guideline, provisionally or conditionally accredited teachers typically need at least 160 teaching days to meet the accreditation requirements.
How to Check Your Approval to Teach
If you’ve been approved to teach in NSW public schools, you should have received an approval letter confirming:
Your teaching/personnel ID number.
The type of teaching approval granted (e.g., permanent, casual, or temporary).
Subjects you’re approved to teach.
This approval remains valid for five years, provided:
Your NESA accreditation is current.
You have a valid Working with Children Check for paid employment.
What Happens If Your Accreditation Lapses
If you do not achieve Proficient Teacher accreditation within your maintenance period, your accreditation may be ceased. Once ceased:
You cannot teach in a NSW school or early childhood service.
You lose eligibility for verification on ClassCover.
Reapplying for Accreditation
Teachers whose accreditation has lapsed can apply for re-accreditation with NESA.
Upon re-accreditation, you are given two years to meet the Proficient Teacher accreditation requirements.
Reasons for Losing Accreditation
Your accreditation may be revoked by NESA for the following reasons:
Non-compliance with Legal and Professional Standards
Disqualification under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
Guilty of an offense punishable by 12+ months of imprisonment.
Offenses under the Teacher Accreditation Act 2004 or other acts reflecting poorly on professional integrity.
Employment Misconduct
Dismissal from employment or inclusion on the NSW Department of Education’s ‘Not to Be Employed’ List.
Failure to Meet Accreditation Requirements
Not maintaining accreditation at Proficient Teacher level or higher.
Failure to comply with accreditation conditions or professional teaching standards.
Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers
Teachers at higher accreditation levels can return to the Proficient Teacher level if accreditation at their current level is lost.
Steps to Regain Verification on ClassCover
If your accreditation has lapsed:
Reapply for Accreditation with NESA:
Visit the NESA website.
Update Your ClassCover Profile:
Once re-accredited, upload your updated approval letter, NESA accreditation, and Working with Children Check to your ClassCover profile.
Stay Compliant:
Keep track of your maintenance period and ensure all requirements are up to date to avoid future lapses.