04 MayRecognition as an ‘equivalent early childhood teacher’
Recognition as an ‘equivalent early childhood teacher’
ACECQA have announced an extension to the transitional measure related to recognition as an ‘equivalent early childhood teacher.’
To achieve a balance between the ongoing goal of building a highly skilled workforce and recognising persistent and increasingly urgent issues with the attraction, supply and retention of early childhood teachers (particularly in regional and remote areas), the ACECQA Board has reviewed the transitional measure related to those teachers that can be recognised as being equivalent to an early childhood teacher (ECT). This has led to an extension until the end of 2024 when the transitional measure is schedule to cease.
A person who holds all of the following will continue to be recognised as equivalent to an early childhood teacher:
- a primary or secondary teaching qualification
- teacher registration in Australia (called ‘accreditation’ in New South Wales)
- an ACECQA approved certificate III level (or higher) early childhood education and care qualification.
Please note for those that obtain this combination of qualifications prior to the end of 2024, this provision will continue to be recognised.
If you are a registered/accredited primary or secondary school teacher:
- you do not have to apply to ACECQA once you achieve a qualification on ACECQA’s list of approved qualifications. In combination with your primary or secondary teaching qualification and Australian teacher registration, you will automatically be considered to meet the qualification requirements for an equivalent early childhood teacher
- if you are a registered/accredited primary or secondary school teacher you may be able to be ‘taken to be an early childhood teacher’ when starting your approved early childhood education and care qualification. Find more information about the ‘actively working towards’ provision and Regulation 242 here
- alternatively, you may be able to be recognised as a ‘suitably qualified person‘.
If you do not have teacher registration/accreditation:
You will need to obtain provisional or full teacher registration/accreditation to meet the requirements of an equivalent early childhood teacher under Regulation 137(3). A list of teacher registration/accreditation bodies in your state or territory can be found on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership website which is linked here.
