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Proposed Teachers Registration and Standards Regulations 2021 - submissions sought

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Introduction
Background
Key amendments to the Act
Proposed Regulations - Frequently Asked Questions
Stakeholder consultation - HAVE YOUR SAY
Legislation

Introduction

The Teachers Registration and Standards (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2020 was passed by Parliament on 15 October 2020. This Bill amends some aspects of the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004 (the Act) and features of the Act that were not the focus of the Amendment Bill will essentially be replicated in the new legislation. You can read more about these changes here.

The Amendment Bill requires a new set of Regulations to replace the Teachers Registration and Standards Regulations 2016 and while there are some significant changes, the new set of Regulations will have the same intent and operation as the current Regulations. You can read the proposed Regulations here. 

The Minister for Education is seeking stakeholder and community feedback on the proposed Regulations. The consultation period will run between Tuesday 9 February and Monday 1 March 2021.

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Background

The Teachers Registration Board is established under the Teacher Registration and Standards Act 2004 (the Act) and the Teachers Registration and Standards Regulations 2016 (the Regulations) to regulate the teaching profession. The object of the Act is to establish and maintain a teacher registration system and professional standards for teachers to safeguard the public interest in there being a teaching profession whose members are competent educators and fit and proper persons to have the care of children.

2019

In March 2019, the Minister for Education, Mr John Gardner MP released a discussion paper 'Enhancing Teacher Registration in South Australia' outlining potential changes to the Act and seeking stakeholder and community feedback. 

2020

After extensive community consultation, the Teachers Registration and Standards (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2020 (the Bill) was introduced into the South Australian House of Assembly by the Minister for Education in March 2020. The Bill aimed to establish a new framework for supporting and strengthening teacher registration and regulation in South Australia consistent with the national teaching direction.

On the 15th October 2020, the Teachers Registration and Standards (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2020 was passed by Parliament. This Act will amend some aspects of the Teachers Registration & Standards Act 2004 allowing changes to how the Board and the teacher registration process operate in South Australia.

Aspects of the Teachers Registration & Standards Act 2004 that were not the focus of the Amendment Act will essentially be replicated. Changes introduced by the Amendment Act will be implemented from approximately mid-2021.

A copy of the Amendment Bill is available to read here.

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Key amendments to the Act

The key elements of the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004 reform reflected in the Bill are:

  • extension of the registration term from three to five years
  • modifying the Board’s size and functions including representation for early childhood teachers
  • strengthening of child safety through improved oversight
  • new power to suspend a teacher's registration for unacceptable risk
  • introduction of a code of conduct for teachers
  • new notification requirements
  • recognition and promotion of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers.

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Proposed Regulations - have your say

The focus is now on the proposed draft Regulations which will replace the current Regulations. The draft Regulations set out the proposed amendments compiled by the Legislative Reform team at the Department for Education. You can read the proposed set of Regulations here.

A stakeholder consultation period will run between Tuesday 9 February and Monday 1 March 2021.

During this time, you are invited to complete a submission form about the proposed draft Regulations.

You can provide your feedback by either:

  • submitting your written comments via email to DECD.EdLawReform@sa.gov.au or
  • posting your written comments to the Legislation Reform Unit, Department for Education, GPO Box 1152, ADELAIDE SA 5001.

Submissions must be received by 5.00 pm (ACST) Monday 1 March 2021.

Your feedback will be taken into consideration in the drafting of amendments to the proposed Regulations arising from the passing of the Amendment Bill.

For more information please email communications@trb.sa.edu.au or call 8253 9700.

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Legislation

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