What we do

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) is an independent statutory authority. NESA was established in January 2017 under the Education Standards Authority Act 2013. NESA is a portfolio responsibility of the NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning.

NESA supports schools and early childhood services to deliver the best possible outcomes for students and children.

This is done through:

• high-quality syllabuses
• assessments
• teaching standards
• school environments.

NESA sets and monitors quality teaching, learning, assessment and school standards across NSW government and non-government schools and early childhood services for:

• Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum
• accreditation of early childhood and school teachers, initial teacher education (ITE) programs and professional development courses
• the application of the professional teaching standards
• the granting of Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and Higher School Certificates (HSC)
• basic skills testing
• monitoring school compliance with registration requirements.

NESA also:

• administers the program for home schooling registration under delegation from the Minister for Education and Early Learning
• assesses, approves and monitors non-government schools and school systems
• approves recognition for schools outside NSW to enter candidates for the RoSA and/or HSC
• approves non-government schools to deliver courses to overseas students
• administers the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) for NSW.

The role of NESA is unique by national and international standards. This is because NESA brings together teaching standards, ITE program accreditation, curriculum, assessment, and school standards under one umbrella education authority.

NESA’s purpose is to help all children and young people in NSW leave school ready to take advantage of life’s opportunities and rise to its inevitable challenges.

NESA strives to achieve this purpose through 5 main strategic goals:

1. The community is assured of effective, evidence-based school education.
2. All children have the opportunity to learn and are protected.
3. Students have access to an explicit learning entitlement that clearly sets out what students have a right to know, understand and be able to do.
4. Students finish school ready to succeed in life.
5. Schools and teachers can focus on effective teaching.

Teacher accreditation

NESA knows the vital role that teachers play in shaping our future generations and we want to continue to deliver great outcomes for NSW students and children. We do this by working with NSW schools, early childhood services and our stakeholders to ensure that students and children are taught by teachers who are: 

• suitable to teach 
• appropriately qualified 
• meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and
• maintain their currency of knowledge by completing ongoing professional development.

Regulation of schools

NESA focuses on what matters most by consistently improving its regulatory practices while monitoring schools to ensure critical standards relating to the safety and education of students are maintained. 

While NESA monitors school compliance, we also support schools to strengthen their capacity to effectively and efficiently meet the registration requirements. 

The NSW Kindergarten to Year 12 Curriculum is developed by NESA in consultation with:

• teachers
• parents
• students
• academics
• related businesses.

The curriculum is inclusive of all learning needs and aims to engage, motivate and challenge all students.

Learn more about the newly reformed curriculum.

Internationally recognised credential

Students who complete their HSC in Year 12 receive an internationally recognised credential. This means their HSC is recognised outside of Australia. 

Learn more about the HSC.

Students who choose to leave school early or choose not to do a HSC course, receive the Record of School Achievement (RoSA). The RoSA is also an internationally recognised credential. 

Learn more about the RoSA.

Home schooling

NESA administers home schooling in NSW and assesses applications to determine whether the requirements for home schooling registration are being met.

Learn more about home schooling registration.

NESA's operations and functions are outlined in the following education and teaching legislation:

• Education Standards Authority Act 2013
• Education Act 1990
• Teacher Accreditation Act 2004.

NESA has also developed a Commitment to Aboriginal Education in partnership with the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group NSW (AECG).

NESA Charter

The NESA Charter outlines NESA's:

• mission and purpose
• objectives and functions
• standards, values and operating principles
• the role of the Board.