Accreditation for retired returning teachers
Eligible retired returning teachers can apply for immediate accreditation at Proficient Teacher. Find out about eligibility requirements and how to apply through this streamlined pathway.
Who can apply under the pathway
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) recognises the previous training, skills and teaching experience of returning retired teachers who have taught in NSW but never been accredited. Our streamlined pathway allows eligible teachers to be accredited at Proficient Teacher immediately.
Check your eligibility
You are eligible to apply under the streamlined pathway if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You were employed to teach in a NSW school before 1 October 2004 or in a NSW approved centre-based early childhood service before 18 July 2016.
- You have never been accredited in NSW and/or do not meet the current teaching qualification requirements for Proficient Teacher.
- You have not had your accreditation suspended or revoked.
- You have not been dismissed by your previous employer due to misconduct or performance issues.
Meet the accreditation requirements
If you are eligible to apply for Proficient Teacher under this pathway, contact us at:
We will assign you a case manager to help with your application.
Guided by a NESA case manager, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Provide verification from your previous employer that you were employed to teach in a NSW school before 1 October 2004 or in a NSW approved centre-based early childhood service before 18 July 2016.
- Provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment.
- Meet the suitability to teach requirements.
We recognise your employer’s verification as evidence that you had teaching qualifications deemed appropriate at the time of your employment.
NESA makes the accreditation decision
We decide whether to grant Proficient Teacher accreditation based on you meeting all requirements in steps 1 and 2.
If you are accredited at Proficient Teacher under this pathway, you will:
- not be assessed for approved subjects or stage that you have been trained to teach
- start your first maintenance period on the day after you are accredited
- be responsible for:
- paying your annual fee
- ensuring your WWCC clearance is current
- continuing to meet suitability to teach requirements
- maintaining your Proficient Teacher accreditation as outlined in the NSW Teacher Accreditation Manual.