Qualifications

1. What qualifications do I need to gain registration as a teacher in Western Australia?

To be registered as a teacher in Western Australia you must hold a teaching qualification from an accredited initial teacher education (ITE) program or a qualification that the Board recognises as equivalent.

2. What is an accredited initial teacher education program?

An accredited initial teacher education program is a teaching degree which is accredited, for the purposes of a national accreditation scheme for initial teacher education programs by the TRBWA or another Australian teacher regulatory body. Accredited programs are assessed against a set of accreditation standards. A list of accredited initial teacher education programs can be found on the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) website.

http://www.aitsl.edu.au/initial-teacher-education/accredited-programs-list

3. What if my qualification is not an accredited ITE program?

The TRBWA may recognise your qualification as one that is equivalent to an accredited ITE program. Please see below.

4. What if my qualification is a previously accredited ITE program?

If at the time you enrolled in the ITE program the course was accredited, then it would be accepted for registration purposes. If the course was not accredited, then it will be considered on a case by case basis for equivalency.

5. How does the TRBWA determine whether a qualification is equivalent to an accredited ITE program?

In determining whether a qualification or qualifications may be equivalent to an accredited initial teacher education program, the factors that the TRBWA may take into consideration, include but are not limited to, the following:

· The degree to which the program or programs demonstrate similarity to an accredited initial teacher education.

· The full time duration of the qualification/s.

· An assessment of the academic level of the qualification/s.

· Relevance of program content to the Australian/Western Australian curriculum.

· The amount and nature of the professional teacher education content of the qualification/s.

· The amount and nature of supervised teaching practice within the qualification/s or an applicant’s teaching experience.

· Any assessment of an applicant’s qualification(s) undertaken by AITSL for the purposes of migration to Australia.

· The professional outcome of the qualification.

· Any other factors or information relating to the qualification/s and/or the applicant which the Board considers relevant.

The Board will consider whether there is a sufficient degree of similarity between the qualification/s held by an applicant and an accredited initial teacher education program, such that the qualification/s may be considered equivalent.

Whilst each qualification or set of qualifications will be considered on its merits, the Board will generally recognise, as equivalent to an accredited ITE program, a qualification (or combination of qualifications) where the qualification or qualifications:

a. include a program of initial teacher education at the Bachelor degree level or higher; and

b. total at least 4 years of (full-time or part-time equivalent) higher education study; and

c. include at least one year (full-time or part-time equivalent) of professional teacher education content; and

d. include at least 45 days of satisfactory supervised teaching practice undertaken at a primary or secondary school or early childhood education setting.

For more information please see the Qualifications Policy.

6. I have previously been registered as a teacher in Western Australia. Will my qualifications still be accepted for registration?

Where an applicant has previously been registered by the TRBWA in the categories of Full, Provisional or Non-Practising Registration, or by WACOT (the previous WA teacher registration authority) in the categories of Registered Teacher or Provisionally Registered Teacher, the TRBWA will accept that applicant's qualification for registration.

For more information please see the Qualifications Policy.

7. I have a 3 year teaching qualification, will my qualification be accepted by the TRBWA?

A person with a 3 year teaching qualification would generally be accepted by the TRBWA for the purposes of Limited Registration but may not be eligible for Full or Provisional Registration.

Generally for the purposes of registration in the categories of Full or Provisional (Graduate Teacher or Returning Teacher) Registration, to meet the qualification requirements, an applicant must hold a qualification from an accredited initial teacher education program or a qualification that the Board deems equivalent. 

It is generally expected that applicants for Full or Provisional (Graduate Teacher or Returning Teacher) Registration hold a 4 year teaching degree. The Board will, however, consider each case on its merits and may take into account any factors it considers relevant.

In determining whether a qualification or qualifications may be equivalent to an accredited initial teacher education program, the factors that the Board may take into consideration, include but are not limited to, the following:

• The degree to which the program or programs demonstrate similarity to an accredited initial teacher education.
• The full time duration of the qualification/s.
• An assessment of the academic level of the qualification/s.
• Relevance of program content to the Australian/Western Australian curriculum.
• The amount and nature of the professional teacher education content of the qualification/s.
• The amount and nature of supervised teaching practice within the qualification/s or an applicant’s teaching experience.
• Any assessment of an applicant’s qualification(s) undertaken by AITSL for the purposes of migration to Australia.
• The professional outcome of the qualification.
• Any other factors or information relating to the qualification/s and/or the applicant which the Board considers relevant.

A person's teaching experience is also a relevant consideration in making such a determination.

As a result of this process, the Board may, from time to time grant Full Registration to experienced teachers with a 3 year teaching degree.

In addition, if an applicant holding a 3 year teaching qualification has previously been registered by the TRBWA in the categories of Full, Provisional or Non-Practising Registration, or by WACOT in the categories of Registered Teacher or Provisionally Registered Teacher, the TRBWA will accept that applicant's qualification for the purposes of teacher registration. Similarly, there may be teachers who are validly registered to teach in Western Australia through mutual recognition arrangements with other States and Territories and New Zealand who may be 3 year trained.

For more information please see the Qualifications Policy.

8. I have an overseas qualification, is my qualification an accredited ITE program?

Overseas qualifications are not accredited initial teacher education programs, but may be considered by the TRBWA to be equivalent. Please see above. Please also see the Overseas Qualified teachers section of the website.

9. Can I use my teaching qualification assessments completed by AITSL or the Overseas Qualification Unit to gain registration in Western Australia?

No, the TRBWA will complete its own assessment to determine whether a qualification or qualifications may be equivalent to an accredited initial teacher education program.