National Teacher Certification (HALT)

Certification may be right for you if you are an experienced teacher seeking affirmation of your professional practice and the impact you have on students, colleagues and your school community. It provides an opportunity to reflect on your practice, demonstrate your expertise and have your achievements recognised against nationally recognised professional standards. 

Teachers pursue certification for many reasons, including professional recognition, opportunities to lead and influence practice, and to support future career development within education. Teachers from early childhood settings, alternative school settings and Prep – 12 settings in independent schools are eligible.

Certification is available to teachers working across the independent sector, including in early childhood services, alternative education settings, and Prep to Year 12 schools. Full VIT registration is required, as is being an Australian citizen or with a permanent residency visa. 

Teachers must have an authentic teaching role with responsibility for an ongoing teaching program and the assessment and reporting of at least one group of students.

Certification requires a sustained commitment to professional reflection, evidence collection and participation in the assessment process. Over time, candidates gather and present evidence that demonstrates the impact of their practice against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. 

Highly Accomplished teachers are highly effective and knowledgeable classroom teachers. According to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST), Highly Accomplished teachers are characterised as advocates of the profession, who contribute to the professional learning of peers through a range of activities that include (but are not limited to) supporting, working with and assisting their colleagues.

Lead Teachers are exemplary classroom teachers. They are committed to quality teaching and learning, and their leadership positively impacts students and their colleagues across and/or beyond their school. Lead teachers regularly innovate, initiate, evaluate and review programs and practice across the school.

Certification is granted for a period of five years. 

ISV conducts information sessions for applicants and provides access to timelines, guides and other resources. ISV appoints assessors to evaluate evidence.  Assessors provide constructive feedback after the first submission of evidence. 

ISV will conduct information sessions for applicants and will provide access to timelines, guides and other resources. ISV will appoint assessors to evaluate evidence, conduct interviews and observe classroom practice. Assessors will provide constructive feedback after the first submission of evidence. ISV will also support and promote a network of Highly Accomplished Teachers and Lead Teachers.

Your school will provide release time for you to attend certification workshops at ISV. 

School leaders are part of all stages of the certification process and encouraged to provide support and constructive feedback throughout. The Principal/Supervisor must provide a referee statement and be prepared to discuss your practice with reference to the teacher standards. Schools are not expected to provide time release to prepare an application.

Part-time teachers can apply providing the teacher has an authentic teaching role with responsibility for an ongoing teaching program and the assessment and reporting of at least one group of students.

Casual or CRT teachers can apply providing the teacher has an authentic teaching role with responsibility for an ongoing teaching program and the assessment and reporting of at least one group of students.

A teacher changing schools or roles during the process you may continue with their application if they are able to show that they are working at the Highly Accomplished stage. Evidence from the previous school or role can be used but it must be able to be verified. The new Principal /Supervisor and colleagues must be able to confirm the teacher’s ability to meet the appropriate standards during the site visit and some evidence relating to the teacher’s current setting must be included.

Withdrawal from the certification program must be requested in writing. Any refund will be at the discretion of ISV. Applications cannot be postponed; however, candidates may submit a new application in the following year.