6. HALT Accreditation

This section applies to all NSW applicants for voluntary accreditation at Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher (HALT). 

6.1. Prerequisites for HALT accreditation

6.1.1. Eligibility to apply 

Teachers who are interested in applying for HALT accreditation must:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident¹
• be accredited at Proficient Teacher or above; and
  • have been assessed as satisfactory in their two most recent annual performance assessments (for Highly Accomplished Teacher applicants);² or
  • have been assessed as satisfactory in their three most recent annual performance assessments (for Lead Teacher applicants).³

6.1.2. Preparing to apply

Eligible teachers who decide to apply for HALT accreditation must:

• discuss their intention to apply with their principal/service director/employer;
• complete the HALT Orientation Course (see Section 6.1.3);
• start an application in their NESA online account (eTAMS); and
• pay the first instalment of the application fee.⁴

6.1.3. HALT Orientation Course

All prospective applicants must complete NESA’s online HALT Orientation Course before they can start an application for HALT accreditation. The course supports teachers to:

• understand the HALT application process and requirements
• understand the practice described in the Standards for HALT; and
• reflect on their practice against the Standards for HALT.

6.1.4. Verification from principle/service director/employer

After a teacher has started an application in their NESA online account, their principal/service director/employer must verify that the teacher:

• has indicated their intention to apply with their principal/service director/employer; and
• is eligible to apply according to the requirements listed in Section 6.1.1 above.

After a principal/service director/employer has verified a teacher’s eligibility, the teacher must pay the first instalment of the application fee to begin⁵.

6.2. HALT accreditation requirements 

To achieve accreditation at HALT, applicants must demonstrate that their practice meets the Standards for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher (as applicable).

Applicants must:

• provide evidence of their practice that demonstrates 20 Standard Descriptors for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher across two modules⁶, of which:
  • 14 Standard Descriptors⁷ are mandated by NESA; and
  • 6 Standard Descriptors are selected by applicants.
• submit at least one module directly to NESA which includes evidence of their direct impact on students/children and colleagues from teaching in a NSW school/service; and
• participate in a Site Visit at a school/service after they have completed their first module (see Section 6.5).

There is no minimum or maximum application timeframe.

All applicants must continue to maintain accreditation at their current level within their maintenance timeframe as outlined in the TA Manual, while developing their application for HALT accreditation.

6.3. Pathways to apply for HALT accreditation

Applicants may demonstrate their practice at Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher through one of two pathways (see Section 6.3.1 and 6.3.2):

• submit all documentary evidence for the 20 Standard Descriptors directly to NESA; or
• verification of 6-10 Standard Descriptors through a NESA recognised program⁸ and documentary evidence submitted directly to NESA for the balance of the 20 Standard Descriptors.

6.3.1. Submit all documentary evidence for the 20 Standard Descriptors directly to NESA

Under this pathway, applicants must submit documentary evidence (see Section 6.4) to demonstrate 10 Standard Descriptors at the relevant level in the first module through no more than 5 sets⁹ of documentary evidence.

At least one module must be documentary evidence demonstrating the applicant’s direct impact on students/children and colleagues from teaching in a NSW school/service.

Applicants who do not successfully demonstrate practice against a Standard Descriptor(s) in their first module may re-submit evidence in relation to that Standard Descriptor(s) in the next module they submit¹⁰.

Applicants must request and complete a Site Visit following assessment of the first module.

6.3.2. Verification of 6-10 Standard Descriptors through a NESA recognised program and documentary evidence submitted directly to NESA for the balance of the 20 Standard Descriptors

Under this pathway, applicants must:

• complete a NESA recognised program for one module only and be verified by the program manager for successfully demonstrating between 6 and 10 Standard Descriptors¹¹ at the relevant level; and
• submit documentary evidence directly to NESA for the balance of the 20 Standard Descriptors. This documentary evidence must demonstrate the applicant’s direct impact on students/children and colleagues when teaching in a NSW school/service.

NESA approves individual programs that:

• are developed by or in partnership with a school/service and/or sector/system;
• support teachers to fully demonstrate nominated Standard Descriptors at HALT; and
• provide explicit opportunities for participants to contribute to their colleagues’ learning to improve practice and improve student/child outcomes.

Applications for recognition of individual programs are made directly to NESA and must include a program manager to:

• complete HALT Assessor training, collect and assess evidence produced by the applicants and verify their demonstration of the nominated Standard Descriptors; and
• be able to submit sample evidence from applicants for independent moderation, where requested by NESA.

Applicants who do not successfully demonstrate practice against a Standard Descriptor(s) in the NESA recognised program may submit evidence in relation to that Standard Descriptor(s) in the next module they submit¹².

Applicants must request and complete a Site Visit following assessment of the first module.

6.4. Documentary evidence requirements

All documentary evidence submitted directly to NESA must relate to teaching and implementing the NSW curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

An applicant’s documentary evidence must demonstrate:

• the practice that is described in the identified HALT Standard Descriptors over a period of time¹³;
• the direct impact of the teacher’s practice on colleagues¹⁴ and student/child learning progress and achievement¹⁵;
• the applicant’s reflection on their practice and their impact; and
• how the applicant influences and supports colleagues to improve their practice relative to each Standard Descriptor.

6.4.1. Direct submission of documentary evidence

Applicants must ensure their documentary evidence directly submitted to NESA includes¹⁶:

• a structured narrative¹⁷ to support each concise set of documentary evidence connected to the nominated Standard Descriptors; and
• at least one report of the applicant’s observation of a colleague’s teaching practice.

6.4.2. Evidence of indirect impact

For one module only, applicants in a non-school/service based role may include documentary evidence that is developed while not teaching in a school/service that demonstrates indirect impact on students/children and colleagues in schools/services.

6.4.3. Evidence submitted by a collective of teachers

For one module only, a collective of applicants who have engaged in a collaborative project or initiative may submit their joint work as evidence for assessment of up to 10 nominated Standard Descriptors at the relevant level.

Applicants must complete and submit the NESA collaborative project/initiative template which includes the structured narrative.

Multiple applicants can submit the same evidence. 

An applicant’s principal/service director/employer, or a nominated delegate must verify the applicant’s individual contribution to the collaborative project or initiative¹⁸.

NESA will assign two HALT assessors to assess the applicant’s evidence.

6.5. Site Visit

Applicants must participate in a school/service-based Site Visit¹⁹ with an External Assessor:

• after completing their first module; and
• before submitting their second module.

NESA appoints an External Assessor from the same sector/system and context (i.e., early childhood, primary or secondary school) as the applicant. 

Applicants must be employed in a NSW school/service based role at the time of participating in a Site Visit²⁰.

During the Site Visit the External Assessor:

• observes three sessions of practice, at least two of which must be when the applicant is teaching students/children in a lesson/learning experience;
• engages in professional discussion with the applicant and provides feedback on their observation of the applicant’s practice against the Standard Descriptors nominated by the applicant for the Site Visit²¹; and
• conducts a structured 30-minute interview with the applicant’s principal/service director/employer²² or a nominated delegate²³.

6.5.1. Site Visit Report

The External Assessor must write and submit a report on the Site Visit in their NESA online account within 72 hours of finishing the Site Visit²⁴. 

The External Assessor’s Site Visit Report will document:

• their observation of the applicant’s teaching practice, including Standard Descriptors met, or not met (where relevant) during the Site Visit;
• feedback provided to the applicant about their practice, during the professional discussion;
• the interview between the External Assessor and the principal/service director/employer, or a nominated delegate.

6.6. Assessment of documentary evidence

Modules of documentary evidence directly submitted to NESA are assessed by HALT Assessors as and when they are submitted by an applicant. 

Where an applicant’s documentary evidence does not meet the requirements in line with Section 6.4, NESA will advise the applicant to amend their documentary evidence before it is assessed.

6.6.1. Allocation of HALT Assessors

When an applicant submits documentary evidence directly to NESA, NESA allocates two HALT Assessors²⁵ to:

• review the documentary evidence; and
• prepare a HALT Module Report on their assessment.

One of the allocated HALT Assessors will be from the same sector/system and context as the applicant and one will be from the same context but a different sector/system, where possible. 

If the two HALT Assessors’ judgements about the extent to which an applicant has demonstrated practice at the Standards are inconsistent, NESA will appoint a third HALT Assessor to assess the module and reach a consensus. NESA may also appoint a third assessor if requested by either of the HALT Assessors. Where a third HALT Assessor is appointed, they will be from the same sector/system and context as the applicant.

6.6.2. HALT Module Report

The HALT Module Report includes:

• feedback on the extent to which the documentary evidence demonstrates practice against the identified Standard Descriptors;
• advice about the quality of the documentary evidence;
• which Standard Descriptors were demonstrated or partially demonstrated in the module and which, if any, were not demonstrated.

NESA provides the completed HALT Module Report to the applicant within 28 days of the applicant submitting the module²⁶.

6.6.3. Requesting revisions from an applicant

After assessing an applicant’s second module, NESA may ask an applicant to revise documentary evidence where one or more of the submitted Standard Descriptors have not yet been fully demonstrated. Where revisions are requested, NESA will provide feedback and advice to the applicant on the Standard Descriptor(s) not yet successfully demonstrated.

After an applicant has submitted their revised documentary evidence, the HALT Assessors will complete a HALT Module Report based on all evidence submitted, including any revised evidence²⁷.

6.6.4. Completing an application

An application for HALT accreditation is complete when an applicant has:

• completed the requirements for and submitted all evidence modules, including any revisions requested by NESA; and
• participated in a Site Visit.

NESA may contact:

• an applicant to clarify any aspect of their application; and/or
• the External Assessor to clarify any aspect of the Site Visit Report; and/or
• the applicant’s workplace or employer to clarify any aspects of an application.

6.7. HALT accreditation decisions

NESA makes a decision about HALT accreditation based on the:

• assessment of the applicant’s evidence module(s), as documented in the HALT Module Report(s);
• demonstration of nominated Standard Descriptors, as verified by the program manager of a NESA recognised program (if applicable); and
• External Assessor’s Site Visit Report.

NESA makes the accreditation decision within 28 days of the applicant submitting their second module (or within 28 days of the applicant submitting any revisions, where applicable).

NESA can decide that an applicant for HALT accreditation:

• meets all requirements for accreditation and accredit the teacher at the higher level (see Section 6.7.1); or
• does not meet all requirements for accreditation and decide to not accredit the teacher at the higher level (see Section 6.7.2).

6.7.1. Decision to accredit

If an applicant meets all requirements for accreditation at Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher, as set out in Section 6.2, NESA will accredit the applicant at the level for which they applied and:

• notify the applicant of the decision in writing, including information about maintaining their HALT accreditation; and
• record the decision in the teacher’s NESA online account (eTAMS).

The teacher will start their first maintenance of accreditation period at the higher level on the date the accreditation decision is recorded in their NESA online account (eTAMS) (see Section 7).

6.7.2. Decision to not accredit

If an applicant does not meet one or more of the requirements for HALT accreditation as set out in Section 6.2, NESA will decide to not accredit the applicant at the level for which they applied and:

• notify the applicant of the decision in writing, including the reasons, specific feedback on their practice and advice to support their ongoing development; and
• record the decision in the teacher’s NESA online account (eTAMS).

Applicants whose HALT application is unsuccessful will remain:

• accredited at their current level; and
• subject to the applicable maintenance of accreditation requirements and timeframes.

A teacher may apply to NESA for an internal review of a decision to not accredit them at HALT within 28 days of being notified²⁸. Information on how to apply to NESA for an internal review is published on the NESA website.

After the internal review is finalised, the teacher may apply to have the decision reviewed by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

6.8. Conflict of interest

Current applicants for HALT accreditation are not permitted to be assessors. Any assessor who starts an application for HALT accreditation will be excluded from being an assessor for the duration of their application until an accreditation decision is made.

6.9. Accreditation of interstate HALTs

Teachers who hold national certification as a Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher in another state or territory are eligible for accreditation at the same level in NSW. Interstate teachers must first apply to NESA for accreditation in NSW under mutual recognition arrangements (see Section 2.4).

To have their national certification recognised, a teacher must provide:

• a certified copy of their HALT accreditation certificate (and/or other document(s)) that confirms the date they achieved certification and the jurisdiction in which it was achieved; and
• evidence of completion of maintenance (renewal), where relevant.

NESA may contact another certifying authority to confirm a teacher’s status before changing the teacher’s record in eTAMS to reflect their level of national certification. Teachers will start maintaining their accreditation at the applicable level on the day they are recognised at that level in NSW.

_{1. This also includes New Zealand citizens who are teaching or have taught in a NSW school/service.} 

_{2. Highly Accomplished Teacher applicants without an annual performance assessment must have their principal/service director verify that their performance is satisfactory.}

_{3. Lead Teacher applicants without an annual performance assessment must have their principal/service director verify that their performance is satisfactory.}

_{4. The HALT application fees are payable in three instalments. The fees are determined by the TA Regulation and are published on the NESA website.}

_{5. An applicant’s eligibility needs to be verified again if they do not pay the fee for module one and start an application within 12 months of their eligibility being verified.}

_{6. Applicants have the opportunity to revise their evidence after the second module report, as outlined in Section 6.6.3.}

_{7. A list of the mandatory Standard Descriptors is available on the NESA website.}

_{8. Information on the NESA recognised program and a list of these programs are available on the NESA website. Applicants must contact their employer directly for access to these programs.}

_{9. A set is a group of individual items of documentary evidence and/or linked extracts related by a general theme (e.g., unit of work, curriculum area or professional learning program).}

_{10. If required, an applicant may submit more than 5 sets in their second module, to account for any Standards Descriptors not successfully demonstrated in the first module.}

_{11. Applicants will be given credit for any Standard Descriptors verified as successfully demonstrated through a NESA recognised program.}

_{12. If required, an applicant may submit more than 5 sets in their second module, to account for any Standards Descriptors not successfully demonstrated in the first module.}

_{13. There is no requirement for a specified number of hours or teaching load, but applicants must be responsible for an ongoing teaching program and the assessment of children/students.}

_{14. For early childhood HALT applicants, all references to colleague(s) means an accredited teacher who works directly with the applicant. Early childhood applicants should contact NESA for further advice if they do not have a teacher colleague or a service director who is an accredited teacher in their service.}

_{15. Applicants who are submitting their application while employed in a non-school/service based role must include evidence of their teaching practice collected while employed in a school/service based role. The school/service-based evidence must have been generated within the past five years of the applicant’s practice at the time of submitting the relevant module.}

_{16. More information and guidance for applicants on collecting and organising documentary evidence for modules is available in the relevant evidence guide published on the NESA website.}

_{17. A template for the structured narrative is available in the NESA online account (eTAMS).}

_{18. The delegate must be an accredited teacher at Proficient Teacher or above.}

_{19. The Site Visit must be done at a school/service where the applicant has taught students/children over a sustained period of time. More information and advice for applicants is provided in the Site Visit Guide published on NESA’s website.}

_{20. Applicants who are on a Leave of Absence from their NSW teacher accreditation may submit their modules but must be actively accredited to complete a Site Visit. Applicants in a non school/service based role should contact NESA regarding their eligibility for a Site Visit.}

_{21. The External Assessor may also report on other Standard Descriptors they observe, whether or not they were nominated by the applicant.}

_{22. Where the applicant is the principal, the 30-minute structured interview is conducted with their line manager. Where the applicant is the service director, or the applicant works in an early childhood context where there is no service director or appropriate individual to provide evaluative comments about the applicant’s performance and practice against the Standards, NESA determines who will participate in the 30-minute structured interview.}

_{23. The nominated delegate must be an accredited teacher at Proficient or above.}

_{24. Where this is not possible, the External Assessor should contact NESA to discuss.} 

_{25. NESA allocates HALT Assessors according to their availability.}

_{26. An additional seven days may be required if a third HALT Assessor is required. In these cases, applicants are notified of the extended timeframe for assessment of the module.}

_{27. If an applicant does not respond to the request for revisions, NESA will proceed with making an accreditation decision based on the initial submission of the second module.}

_{28. Under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997, S53.}