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Apply for HALT accreditation
Begin your application
Check your eligibility
To be eligible to apply you must be:
- an Australian citizen or a permanent resident
- a Proficient Teacher or above in NSW
- assessed as satisfactory in
- 2 of your most recent annual performance assessments if applying for Highly Accomplished Teacher, or
- 3 annual performance assessments if applying for Lead Teacher.
Choose your level of accreditation
Decide if you want to apply for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher accreditation. To do this, you should consider the scope of your role and the opportunities you will have to demonstrate the Standards at either level. You can read more about the characteristics of Highly Accomplished Teachers and Lead Teachers in the Standards.
Highly Accomplished accreditation
Highly Accomplished Teachers work with other teachers to enhance their colleagues’ practice and improve student or child learning in own and others’ learning environments.
Lead Teacher accreditation
Lead Teachers have an impact on their broader school or service community. They lead teaching projects and practices that have an impact on the whole school or service change, student or child achievement and their colleagues.
Defining a 'colleague'
For HALT accreditation, a ‘colleague’ is an accredited teacher who works with you, including teachers with Provisional or Conditional accreditation.
If you are an early childhood teacher, a ‘colleague’ does not have to work in your service. They may come from another service of your employer or be a teacher from your professional network. You should contact NESA for further advice if you do not have a teacher colleague or a service director who is an accredited teacher in your service.
Discuss your readiness
Discuss with your principal, service director, or employer:
- your intention and readiness to apply
- which level of accreditation is appropriate for you.
Do this first because once you start an application, they will receive a request to verify your eligibility. You will receive an email advising whether they have verified your application.
Casual teachers
Casual teachers who work across several schools or services will need to nominate the principal or service director of one school or service to verify their eligibility.
Early childhood teachers
If no service director is accredited at Proficient Teacher or above at your service, you will need to contact NESA for advice on who can verify your eligibility.
Complete the HALT orientation course
You must complete the mandatory HALT Orientation Course before you can begin your HALT application. The course will help you to understand the HALT application process and its requirements.
Pay your application fee
| Module | Highly Accomplished Teacher accreditation cost | Lead Teacher accreditation cost | Payment due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $180 | $220 | Before you start Module 1 |
| Site Visit | $245 | $275 | Before requesting a Site Visit |
| 2 | $180 | $220 | Before you submit Module 2 |
| Total cost | $605 | $715 | No further payment due |
If you wish to withdraw within 12 months of paying the Module 1 fee and you have not submitted the Module for assessment, you can apply in writing to NESA for a refund. No other refunds apply.
NESA workshops and courses
NESA runs regular online and in-person workshops for HALT applicants. The workshops help you to develop your modules, including how to select documentary evidence, understand the Module Report, and how to prepare for a Site Visit.
Alternatively, you can complete units of the self-paced, online HALT Applicant Course in NESA Learning.
NESA strongly recommends that you attend a workshop or complete the relevant unit of the HALT Applicant Course before you submit your first module.
Situations that may affect your application
Learn more about situations that may affect your application.
HALT certification in another state or territory
If you hold national certification as a HALT in another state or territory, you are eligible for accreditation at the same level in NSW.
You must first apply to NESA in your NESA online account (eTAMS) for accreditation in NSW. You can then apply for mutual recognition by providing the following documentation to HALenquiry@nesa.nsw.edu.au:
- a certified copy of your HALT accreditation certificate
- evidence of completion of maintenance (renewal) of HALT accreditation, where relevant.
NESA may contact your previous certifying authority to confirm your status before updating your record in your NESA online account (eTAMS). You will start maintaining accreditation at the applicable HALT level on the day you are recognised at that level in NSW.
You are a principal or service director applying for HALT
If you're a principal or service director, you need to contact NESA to let us know you intend to apply for HALT and for advice on who can verify your eligibility. Contact NESA at HALenquiry@nesa.nsw.edu.au.