Final report on Teachers Registration Act Review released

The final report from the Teachers Registration Act Review Steering Committee has been released, delivering on a key commitment of the Tasmanian Government.

Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the report is another way the Government is ensuring Tasmanian children and young people get the best education possible.

“Teachers have a profound and lasting impact on our children and young people, which is why it’s essential that our education regulation is modern, clear and effective,” Minister Palmer said.

“The final report outlines recommendations to ensure children are safe while learning, that teachers, including those in early childhood settings, are high quality and meet professional standards, and that the law is contemporary and fit-for-purpose.

“Importantly, the report’s recommendations will see us deliver on Commission of Inquiry recommendations and our commitment to register and better recognise Early Childhood Teachers.”

The Report recommends:

• Making the move from provisional to full registration simpler, giving teachers back more time for teaching.
• Expanding Commission of Inquiry protections for children to cover all forms of abuse, ensuring our children and young people are safe.
• Assisting teachers to move to the new legislative framework, by deeming experienced provisionally registered teachers fully registered – provided they meet set criteria.
• Updating the law to support modern regulation, for example, allowing the voluntary relinquishment of a teacher's registration.
• Registering university qualified early childhood teachers in Early Childhood Education and Care settings alongside school teachers, recognising the important role they play in teaching our youngest children and increasing safety.

Aligning with national standards by:

• Requiring 100 hours of professional development every five years, formalising the work teachers are already doing to maintain currency of professional knowledge
• Requiring provisional teachers to gain full registration within five years (with exceptions), recognising the initial period of registration as a period of learning and support for our teachers.
• Providing for a ‘non-practicing’ category of registration, giving teachers the flexibility to maintain their registration while they aren’t in direct teaching roles.

Minister Palmer said the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) would begin work to implement the recommendations, including changes to legislation to support modern regulation.

“There will be more chances to provide input as this work progresses,” Minister Palmer said.

“Our Government is committed to continuing to improve Tasmania’s education system, to better meet the needs of our children and young people, keep them safe and prepare them for the future.”

The final report can be found on the DECYP website.