Teachers who hold registration in another Australian State or Territory or New Zealand can apply for registration in South Australia under mutual recognition.
The mutual recognition principle provides for persons registered in an occupation (ie teacher) in one jurisdiction (Australian State or Territory or New Zealand) to be registered in a second jurisdiction.
Mutual Recognition is legislated by the Commonwealth under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth) (MRA) and Mutual Recognition (South Australia) Act 1993 and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth) (TTMRA).
To apply for teacher registration under mutual recognition you must hold active registration/accreditation in an Australian State or Territory or New Zealand, to be granted the equivalent category of registration in South Australia.
Application Process
- Complete the Application for Teacher Registration under Mutual Recognition (PDF).
- Provide copies of your current teacher registration certificate/card (referred to as accreditation in New South Wales).
- Provide a valid Working with Children Check issued in South Australia.
South Australian Working with Children Check (WWCC)
A valid South Australian Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for anyone working with children in South Australia. Please note that your registration will not be finalised until the Board has received your WWCC clearance. WWCCs issued from other states or jurisdictions will not be accepted.
Identity Documents
When applying for registration under mutual recognition in South Australia, you do not need to provide proof of identity documents. However, please note that identity documents will be required upon renewing your South Australian registration, to complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
Qualifications
Your qualifications do not need to be further assessed under mutual recognition.
However, if you would like to have your qualifications recorded with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (TRB SA), you will need to provide an original or certified copy of your official academic transcript. This transcript should clearly show the completion or conferral date of your award. Alternatively, you can submit your transcript through my eQuals to the following email address qualifications@trb.sa.edu.au .
Fees and Registration Period
When applying for registration under mutual recognition, an application fee and an annual registration fee are required.
The term of your registration will align with the remaining period of registration in your current Australian State or Territory or New Zealand registration. The expiry date will be adjusted to the next 31 January (which will align to the South Australia registration period which operates between 1 February to 31 January).
Interim Deemed Registration
Once TRB SA receives your completed application, including the correct payment of fees, you will be notified via email of your interim deemed registration status. This status remains in effect for up to a month while your substantive teacher registration is assessed and processed.
Please note that you are not permitted to commence employment in schools or with employing authorities until you have received an official interim deemed registration letter from the TRB SA.
When your registration is confirmed, you will receive your Certificate of Registration via mail (electronic certificates are not issued).
Employer Requirements
Prior to commencing a teaching role, teachers will need to meet all employer requirements. Check what these are with your prospective employer.
Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR)
The Australian Government and state and territory governments are expected to introduce a uniform scheme for the automatic mutual recognition of occupational registrations to facilitate what is known as Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR). A five-year exemption from the ADR scheme has been approved for the occupation of teaching in South Australia until June 2027. Currently ADR, as it relates to the registration of teachers in South Australia, has no impact on existing mutual recognition arrangements.
Resources:
Application for Teacher Registration under Mutual Recognition
Frequently asked questions for Teachers
