1     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 for registration as a teacher in South Australia.

Section 21 of the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004 (the Act) sets out the eligibility requirements for registration.

Section 21(1)(b) of the Act provides that a person is eligible for registration if they have met any other requirements for registration –

1. contained in professional standards for teachers; or
2. determined by the Board to be necessary for registration.

2. Defined Terms

Act means Teachers Registration and Standards Act, 2004

ACECQA means the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority

Early Childhood qualification means the qualification by which a teacher in South Australia is granted permission to teach in an early childhood setting by condition pursuant to regulation 7 (1)(c) and regulation 7 (1)(d) of the Teachers Registration and Standards Regulations 2021.

exempted countriesmeans Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United States of America or the United Kingdom

face-to face means the test has taken place in person, as opposed to online interaction or remote electronic communication

IELTS Academicmeans International English Language Testing System academic test, including IELTS One Skill Retake, as opposed to the general test.

ISLPRmeansInternational Second Language Proficiency Rating

one individual attemptmeans completion of a test, including single element one skill retake completed within 60 days of the applicant’s original sitting of the IELTS Academic Test

One Skill Retakemeans the separate test completion of a single element of the IELTS Academic Test

single elementmeans a test component of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Teacher Regulatory Authorities means the regulatory bodies in each State and Territory which register teachers.

3. Policy Statement

The Board has determined that English language proficiency is one of the requirements necessary for registration as a teacher in South Australia. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in accordance with part 4 of this Policy.

4. Demonstrating English Language Proficiency

To meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements, 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 exempted countries (refer to definitions on page 4), or
• completing an ACECQA approved Early Childhood qualification where ACECQA has assessed English language proficiency or
• satisfactorily completing one of the English language proficiency tests recognised by the Board as set out in this Policy, or
• in exceptional cases, applications can be made to demonstrate English language proficiency by a hearing to a Sub-Committee of the Teachers Registration Board to recognise equivalence. In doing so, financial hardship in sitting an English language proficiency test is not a compelling factor for grant.

5. National Registration Framework

The National Registration Framework sets out commitments endorsed by Education Ministers to meet minimum registration requirements. These commitments are consistent with those prescribed in South Australia and are principles of recognised registration practice.

The Framework recognises that:

• regardless of where a qualification is obtained, registration requires achievement of a level of professional proficiency in English suitable for a teacher working in Australian education settings.
• IELTS (academic) and ISLPR are recognised tests, as is any other nationally agreed English language test.
• Teacher Regulatory Authorities have the discretion to consider specific claims by applicants who seek recognised equivalence in meeting suitable English language proficiency levels.

The Framework principles do not set aside the requirements of South Australian legislation and this Policy.

6. English language proficiency (ELP) requirement

6.1 All applicants with a four-year qualification

An applicant for teacher registration will have met the English language proficiency requirement upon 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. All are exempted countries as described in part 4 of this Policy.

6.2 All Early Childhood Teacher applicants seeking registration, with a condition to work only in an early childhood setting in South Australia

Noting the principles in the National Registration Framework, applicants for registration who hold a teacher education qualification approved by ACECQA will be recognised as meeting the English language requirements for registration in South Australia upon provision of evidence of their ACECQA assessed and approved qualification.

This is regardless of whether the qualification was studied overseas or in Australia.

6.3 The tests

Where a person has not met the above criteria, they must satisfactorily complete a face-to face English language proficiency 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 submission of an application for registration as a teacher in South Australia to the Board.

All test criteria must be met on one individual attempt at the test (except if an IELTS One Skill Retake is taken – see 6.4).

The minimum score required for successful completion of each test is as follows:

• IELTS Academic; 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. 6.4 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 a person achieves the score required in the retake test, they are issued a new IELTS certificate showing the person has achieved the required scores with the retake shown on the certificate.

If a 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 will accept an IELTS certificate showing the applicant has achieved the required scores with the retake.

7. Exemption to Sitting an English Language Proficiency Test

An applicant for teacher registration who is required to complete an English language proficiency test as set out in part 4 of this Policy may request an exemption from the accepted means of demonstrating proficiency as set out in parts 6.3 and 6.4 of this Policy. This exemption can only be approved by the Board.

7.1 Forms

The applicant must submit an application form for exemption to sit an English language proficiency test) in hard copy at the same time as making an application for registration. The form lodged for application for an English language proficiency exemption must be accompanied by original supporting documents or certified copies of the original documents. Supporting documents can be certified by a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for taking Affidavits or Notary Public or Proclaimed Police Officer.

7.2 Requesting equivalence of English Language Proficiency not based on an agreed test

Submitting a request for exemption for recognised equivalence of English language proficiency is not a guarantee that an exemption will be granted. The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient evidence to enable the Board to determine if their English language is at a proficient level without the need to successfully complete an approved test to confirm that proficiency.

Use of Artificial Intelligence such as ChatGPT and others, is not to be used in the presentation of any written material or in preparation of written material asserted to be of that of the applicant.

All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Should an application be unsuccessful, applicants may submit a further application but only with significantly different supporting evidence.

8. False and Misleading Statements

It is an offence under Section 54 of the Act for any person to provide false or misleading information to the Registrar or Board in respect to any matters encompassed in the Act.

If there is reason to suspect that false or misleading information has been provided in any aspect of their application, the teacher will be advised in writing of the nature of the allegations and their right to natural justice.

9. Grievance process

A teacher aggrieved at an action or decision of an officer of the Teachers Registration Board relating to their application for registration or renewal, should provide written details of their grievance in writing addressed to the Registrar.

The document should:

• give details of full name, address and teacher reference number
• outline the reason for the grievance
• be sent to the Teachers Registration Board no later than three months after the date when the problem occurred.

The teacher will be contacted within 28 days from the date upon which the letter is received by the Registrar.

10. Review and appeal processes

If an applicant is dissatisfied with a decision of the Board in respect to their complaint/grievance, they can request the decision be reviewed.

The request must be in writing and lodged within 21 days of the date the teacher was informed of the decision. A Sub-Committee of the Board will hear the matter at an Admissions Hearing. The teacher is entitled to attend and/or be represented at this hearing.

Applicants have a right of appeal to the Administrative and Disciplinary Division of the District Court against a decision of the Teachers Registration Board at their cost.

11.References and Links

• Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004
• Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
• Application for Teacher Registration Guidelines Booklet
• ACECQA English language proficiency for individual Applicants
• (www.trb.sa.edu.au) Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
• (www.trb.sa.edu.au) English Language Proficiency Exemption Guide