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First-time accreditation
Internationally trained teachers
Get accredited in NSW
If you are an overseas teacher, you must become NESA accredited to work in a NSW school or centre-based early childhood service. This includes teachers on exchange programs.
NESA assesses the qualifications of teachers trained in other countries who are either:
- Australian citizens
- permanent residents
- residents with valid working visas including working holiday visas.
As an internationally trained teacher you must:
- provide certified evidence of your teaching qualifications
- upload a NAATI-accredited translation of your documents and your original certified documents, if your original transcripts are not in English
- meet English language proficiency.
English language proficiency tests
To prove you can meet English language proficiency, you will need to pass an English language proficiency test (ELPT) or meet exemption requirements.
The ELPT must be completed in person. NESA does not accept the results of online tests.
You do not need to take the ELPT if you completed all your qualifications in 1 or more of the following countries:
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
- United States
- New Zealand
- Canada.
Recognised English language proficiency tests
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) requires a minimum score of:
- 7 in reading and writing
- 8 in speaking and listening
NESA recognises the IELTS One-Skill Retake.
The International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) (Teacher-focused) must be taken at an approved testing site where the assessment is teacher-focused.
The ISLPR requires a score of Level 4 in all 4 skill areas:
- listening
- speaking
- reading
- writing.
ELPT exemptions
NESA may grant you an exemption from having to pass an ELPT test if you can provide appropriate and verified evidence that addresses at least two of the following criteria:
- teaching experience in the English language
- evidence of employment in an occupation, other than teaching requiring effective English written and oral communication
- evidence of undertaking all secondary schooling in Australia or another country where English is the main, official language
- evidence of teacher registration or licencing in a country where English is the main, official language and where English language proficiency was a condition of that registration or licencing, or
- the successful completion of further tertiary study undertaken in Australia or another country where English is the main, official language.
Exemptions are not automatic.
A NESA assessment officer will first assess your qualification(s) for eligibility for accreditation. If your qualification(s) are eligible, you can then request an ELPT exemption if you meet at least 2 of the exemption criteria.
NESA will assess your evidence provided and let you know the outcome.