Accreditation of NSW teachers to be made public via online register

A new online register, set to go live this month, will make sure parents know their child’s teacher is meeting the tough requirements to teach in NSW.

Parents will be able to confirm that their child’s teacher is qualified and meets professional standards once a new online register becomes publicly available.

The register will also keep a record of when a teacher’s ­accreditation is revoked or ­suspended, and will be updated in real time.

It is a NSW first that will profile every one of the state’s 160,000 teachers.

To be listed on the register a teacher must be qualified, meet national teaching standards, hold a current child protection clearance, and regularly complete professional development.

NSW Education Standards Authority chief executive Paul Martin said transparency between schools and families was vital.

Deborah Flamm, with children Jonathan and Michaela, says the register will give parents extra peace of mind. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I have no doubt that NSW teachers are among the best in Australia so it makes sense for parents to be able to complete a quick online check that their child’s teacher has met a rigorous set of professional standards,” he said.

“When a teacher’s accreditation is revoked or suspended, they are prohibited from being employed as a teacher in NSW schools or early childhood services and removed from the register.”

Deborah Flamm, whose children Michaela, 9, and Jonathan, 11, attend Mar­oubra Junction Public School, said the register would provide ­additional peace of mind for families.

“We need to know who they are, and we need more information on who’s looking after our children,” she said.

“If you’re dropping your child off and it’s a relief teacher you don’t know, being able to find out their qualifications is invaluable.

“Teachers are looking after our most precious gift and they spend more hours in the day with our kids than we do, so I think the register is an essential tool for parents and carers, and the schools.”

The register, set to go live on the NESA website on June 30, was born out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

NSW Teachers Federation senior vice-president Amber Flohm said it would bring NSW in line with most states.

“The federation supports any measures that ensure the children and young people in our care are safe,” she said.

“The only surety we seek is for teachers whose health and safety is at risk, such as domestic violence victims, that they be able to seek an exemption from being publicly listed.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the department was working towards streamlining accreditation and easing the administrative burden on teachers, while the register would give added confidence on children’s education.

“The register is about increasing transparency in line with changes to the Teacher Accreditation Act,” she said.

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