$7m overhaul of SA Teacher Registration Board system to improve child safety measures

In a move to improve child safety, the South Australian teacher registration system will receive a $7m overhaul featuring real-time qualification and background checks.

The South Australian teaching regulatory body’s online system will undergo a $7m overhaul in a move to improve child safety with faster background checks.

For the first time in 13 years, the Teacher Registration Board will upgrade the portal, which will provide real-time qualification and background checks on teachers, revealing misconduct issues.

It also will unify teacher records and improve digital proof of identity verification.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the new system would “bring us into line with other jurisdictions”.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said safety was a major consideration within the new system. Picture: Ben Clark

To become a teacher in SA, educators must hold higher education qualifications that total at least four years of full time study, including an approved teacher education qualification.

Teaching applicants must also supply identification and their academic transcript to the TRB to show completion of higher study.

The board will also conduct a nationally co-ordinated criminal history record check.

The portal will align with interstate and New Zealand regulatory authorities to maintain child safety as teachers transfer from across borders and overseas.

“The safety of our students across the state is paramount with the new IT system design with that in mind,” Mr Boyer said. “The real-time qualifications and background checks on teachers will help make sure that any issues can be identified as they arise.”

The transfer of large amounts of information and communication will also be easier under the new system and sensitive personal information of staff will be more secure.

Work has already been done to determine the scope of the upgrade and the procurement process will begin this year.

It will be rolled out over five stages, with the online portal expected to be available by March 2027.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan described the planned new online system as “state-of-the-art”.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the new system would be easier to use. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“This will not only make the portal easier to use, it’ll ensure child safety by allowing real-time qualification and background checks for our educators,” he said.

The development of the new portal comes after The Advertiser revealed in December that a court was told a teacher who admitted to sexually abusing a female student remained registered to work.

A woman known as “Bessa” was suing the government over its alleged failure to protect her from Mieka Owens-Phillips, who taught at schools on the Limestone Coast, in Adelaide and the Riverland.

In her District Court documents, Bessa alleged Ms Owens-Phillips sexually assaulted her during her final year of high school more than a decade ago.

In December, the TRB website showed Ms Owens-Phillips’ registration was still current and was not due to expire until 2029.

At the time, an Education Department spokeswoman said the agency was aware of the allegations.

She said it was investigating the matter and had “taken appropriate steps”.

“The teacher is not working at any education sites,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as $7m overhaul of SA Teacher Registration Board system to improve child safety measures