1. Objective
The Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) is committed to ensuring that the teaching profession comprises competent educators who are fit and proper persons to have the care of children.
The objective of this policy is to ensure that all applicants for teacher registration in South Australia provide evidence of English language proficiency as part of their application.
Part 5 s21 of the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004 (the Act) sets out the eligibility requirements for registration.
Section 21(1)(b)(ii) of the Act provides that a person is eligible for registration if they have met any other requirements for registration determined by the Board to be necessary for registration.
The Board has determined that English language proficiency is one of the requirements necessary for registration as a teacher in South Australia.
2. Preamble
The Board has determined that all applicants for teacher registration in South Australia must be able to prove their proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English.
This can be proven by either;
- Completing the appropriate qualifications in an approved setting, or
- Satisfactorily completing one of the English language proficiency tests recognised by the Board, or
- Successfully proving to the Board that their English language proficiency is at the level required for registration as a teacher by providing sufficient other documentary evidence.
3. Provisions
3.1 English language proficiency requirement
A person will have met the English language proficiency requirement by the completion of at least four years of higher education study (including a recognised pre-service teacher education qualification) in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United States of America or the United Kingdom.
Where a person has not met the above criteria they must satisfactorily complete an English language test. The tests recognised by the Board are the:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test, or
- International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) test.
The date of completion of one of the above tests must be within two years of submitting an application for registration as a teacher in South Australia to the Board.
Generally, all test criteria must be met on an individual test.
The minimum score required for successful completion of each test is as follows:
- IELTS; a score of at least 8.0 for Listening and Speaking and a score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing, with an overall band score of at least 7.5
- ISLPR: a score of at least 4.0 in each of the areas of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
3.2 IELTS One Skill Retake
If a person does not achieve one of the four required scores of the IELTS, they can apply to retake that one skill test within 60 days of completing their initial test.
If the person achieves the score required in the retake, they are issued a new IELTS certificate showing the person has achieved the required scores with the retake shown on the certificate.
If the person does not achieve the required score in the retake test, they must undertake the full test before being able to undertake another one skill retake.
The Board has approved acceptance of an IELTS certificate showing the applicant has achieved the required score with the retake.
3.3 Other circumstances
In extenuating circumstances, an applicant for teacher registration who is required to complete an English language test as set out in 3.1 above may request an exemption from completing an English language test.
Submitting a request for exemption is not a guarantee that an exemption will be granted.
This exemption can only be approved by the Board.
For information regarding applying for an exemption from the English language test please contact the Board at qualifications@trb.sa.edu.au or telephone on (08) 8253 9711. The Application for exemption to sitting an English language proficiency test is required to accompany your request (TRB-ELE).
Please note: An applicant is not exempted from the requirement to be proficient in the English language to the level required in this policy. The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient evidence to enable the Board to determine their English language proficiency is at that level without the need to successfully complete an approved test to prove it.
4. References and Links
Legislation (www.legislation.sa.gov.au)
- Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004
Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (www.trb.sa.edu.au)
English Language Proficiency Policy V3, 2004
5. Defined terms
Act means the Teachers Registration and Standards Act, 2004. IELTS means International English Language Testing System. ISLPR means International Second Language Proficiency Rating.
