Welcome to the September 2025 Edition of Registration Buzz!

Spring is in the air, and with it comes fresh updates from the Teachers Registration Board.

This edition is full of important news, helpful reminders, and exciting opportunities for South Australian teachers, including information about Renewal of Registration,

teacher awards, the ATWD Survey, as well as professional development opportunities and more.

Leadership Update
Some staffing changes have occurred at the Board, with the Registrar, Ms Leonie Paulson, resigning. Stepping into the (acting) role is Mr Joseph Nguyen, who brings a wealth of experience and energy. The Board has commenced a recruitment process, and it is expected that this critical role will be filled by the end of the year.

We’re also proud to honour the dedication and achievements of South Australian educators through two special awards:

• TRB Service Award – Recognising teachers with 20+ years of service. Nominate yourself or a colleague who’s made a lasting impact.
• Minister’s Graduate Achievement Prize – Celebrating a pre-service teacher who has overcome significant challenges during their studies.

If you know someone who fits the bill, we’d love to hear from you! You can find out more about these two prizes later in this edition.

Soon the annual registration renewal period will open on the 3rd October for teachers whose registration is due to expire in January 2026. As we approach the renewal period, we appreciate it is a busy time of year for all teachers, and we aim to make the renewal process as easy as possible. If you’re unsure whether you need to renew, you can check your status on your teacher portal.

As we look towards the end of a busy year, we’re excited to continue building on the strategic work we’ve focused on throughout the year. Thank you for being part of this work.

Your voice will help shape the teaching profession: 2025 Australian Teacher Workforce Survey now open

The 2025 Australian Teacher Workforce Survey is now open, and this isn't just another survey - it's your opportunity to directly influence national education policies. It takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Why your voice matters

When you share your experience, you help shape national policies that support better teaching conditions for you and your colleagues. Remember, if you don't speak up, others will decide for you!

Thanks to teachers like you who participated in previous surveys, policymakers now have valuable insights into your profession. For instance, we know that full-time classroom teachers report spending over 5 hours per week on admin and over 9 hours per week on lesson planning. Read more.

Does this match your experience?

What's your story?

Share your experience around your job demands, teaching hours and preparation time, career intentions, your current workforce arrangements and much more.

How to participate

Check your inbox for your unique survey link via email from the TRB or log into your Teacher Portal. 

Ready to shape the future?

You can help shape better teaching conditions across Australia's schools and early childhood settings. Just 10 minutes of your time today could improve teaching conditions tomorrow. Real change starts with your voice - make sure yours is heard.

Learn more:

Visit AITSL’s website for more information.

Read about the findings from previous Australian Teacher Workforce Surveys here or explore the Data Portal.

The South Australian Teacher Certification Committee (SATCC), the cross-sector certifying authority in South Australia, celebrated the hard work and dedication of highly accomplished and lead teachers at their annual cross-sector ceremony on 18th July 2025 at Prospect Pavilion. The SATCC oversees the National Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers in South Australia, recognising those educators who excel in their practice across government, independent, and Catholic education sectors. The event was proudly sponsored by the Credit Union SA.

The cross-sector nature of this celebration underscores the collaborative spirit that defines South Australian education. Teachers from all three sectors came together to acknowledge their shared commitment to excellence, demonstrating that outstanding teaching transcends organisational boundaries. This unity reflects the strength of South Australia's education landscape, where professionals from diverse settings work towards the common goal of improving student outcomes.

The commitment to achieve this prestigious national recognition as a highly accomplished or lead teacher requires an individual to deeply examine their own practice, foster the growth of knowledge and skills amongst colleagues, and successfully pass a stringent assessment process. The certification process involves comprehensive evidence collection, peer review, and demonstration of impact on student learning and colleague development.

This year's ceremony was hosted by Danny Pinchas, General Manager of Teacher Quality at the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). A long-standing advocate for quality education, Danny led the celebration in honouring the dedicated professionals who have significantly contributed to the education sector in the past year. His leadership of the event highlighted AITSL's commitment to recognising teaching excellence at both state and national levels.

Certificates of recognition for newly certified were presented by the Honourable Blair Boyer, Minister for Education. The Minister's presence at this cross-sector event demonstrated the South Australian Government's recognition of the importance of teaching quality across all educational settings. He expressed his deep appreciation for the unwavering commitment of these certified teachers to the support and development of their students, their colleagues, and their own professional growth.

The statistics shared at the ceremony paint a remarkable picture of South Australia's leadership in teacher certification nationally. "It's impressive to see just how much teacher certification has been embraced in South Australia. With 122 of the 274 HALTs nationally in 2024 - almost half of all certifications - and 414 of the total 1,684 HALTs since 2012, South Australia continues to excel at a national level. Congratulations to all the SA Highly Accomplished and Lead teacher awardees!" Pinchas commented.

These figures demonstrate that South Australian teachers are embracing professional certification at rates significantly higher than their interstate counterparts, reflecting the state's culture of continuous improvement and professional excellence. The cross-sector collaboration evident in these numbers shows that teachers from government, independent, and Catholic schools are equally committed to demonstrating their expertise through the national certification process.

The event showcased the diversity of South Australian education, with representatives from metropolitan and regional schools, primary and secondary settings, and specialists across various learning areas. This diversity enriches the professional learning community of certified teachers, creating networks that span sector boundaries and geographical locations.

The SATCC's role as a cross-sector certifying authority is unique in the Australian education landscape. By bringing together expertise from all three sectors, the committee ensures that certification processes are informed by the full breadth of South Australian teaching practice. This collaborative approach strengthens the credibility and relevance of the certification process while building professional connections across traditional sector divides.

For many attendees, the ceremony represented the culmination of significant professional development, reflection, and evidence gathering. The certification process challenges teachers to articulate their impact, demonstrate their leadership, and showcase their expertise in ways that contribute to the broader teaching profession. The cross-sector recognition validates that excellence in teaching is valued equally regardless of the school sector in which it occurs.

The SATCC continues to uphold its commitment to recognising and celebrating the successes of highly accomplished and lead teachers across South Australia, nurturing a culture of excellence and professional growth in education. The event was a memorable occasion, honouring the achievements of 159 educators across all sectors, reinforcing South Australia's position as a national leader in teacher certification and professional recognition.

Looking forward, the strong participation across all sectors positions South Australia well for continued leadership in teacher quality initiatives. The collaborative relationships fostered through the cross-sector certification process contribute to a more connected and professionally engaged teaching workforce, ultimately benefiting students across all South Australian schools.

All Sector Group Image

Sue Fox, our Early Childhood Project Coordinator, is taking her well-deserved long-service-leave prior to retiring.

Sue was first registered in 1977 and set out as a teacher at Strathalbyn Kindergarten before taking on the directorship. She then acted as Director at Coomandook and Mannum and then for 12 months, as the director of two kindergartens.

For a time, Sue lived in Sherlock (about 50 km west of Tailem Bend) where she got her bus licence, so she could pick up the children from the local Area school and take them to the kindy - teach them herself - and then drop them back!

Sue moved out of teaching in the 80s and into the regulatory space taking up various roles in the Department. In the 90s, Sue was managing 20 Preschool directors, 5 Play Centre leaders and licensing child care centres while also doing spots on local radio and tv to communicate with the local community.

Sue then served 14 years as a deputy member of the Teachers Registration Board until she was appointed in her own right in 2004; then reappointed until 2008, however Sue had to resign to commence as Manager, Registration on 3 April 2006.

Sue held the role of Manager, Registration over the past 20 years, prior to taking on the role of Early Childhood Project Coordinator from June 2024, following the amendment of the Teachers Registration and Standards Regulations.

Sue is highly regarded for her exemplary knowledge of early childhood teaching and leading. She was also a much-loved member of the TRBSA team and will be missed around the office for her humour and extensive knowledge.

The Board will shortly appoint a new Early Childhood Teacher Project Coordinator to continue work in this area. In the short term, Kate Worrall and Sally Hodgson will share the role of secretariat for the Early Childhood Reference Group and the Board Early Childhood Sub-Committee.

It’s almost time to start getting ready for renewal of your teacher registration.

Your 2025 renewal application will be available via the Teacher’s Portal from 3 October 2025 to 31 December 2025 at https://online.trb.sa.edu.au/default.aspx

Renewal requirements include:

• 1 x commencement document – e.g. Australian Birth Certificate or Passport
• 1 x primary document – e.g. Australian Driver’s Licence
• 1 x secondary document – e.g. Medicare card

In addition, you'll need to upload 1 certified photographic identity document (e.g. Passport or Driver’s Licence).  Certification must be completed by an authorised witness, such as a Justice of the Peace, police officer, or notary public.

• Completed professional learning requirements.
• A current valid South Australian Working with Children Check.
• Provide an appropriate Overseas Criminal Record Check (OCHRC) if required.
• Completed teaching service requirements.

It's important to note that a $25 late fee will apply for renewal applications submitted online in January 2026 and there is no guarantee registration will be ready for 1 February 2026.

Communication will be sent via email from Monday, 22 September, so lookout for yours.

We're always here to help, so reach out if you need assistance by emailing renewal@trb.sa.edu.au

Our annual awards recognise the important work of teachers in our state and are now open for applications!

The Teachers Registration Board Service Award recognises teachers with 20 or more years of service to the teaching profession. Teachers are able to self-nominate or be nominated by another registered teacher who is currently working with the nominee or has done so in the five years prior to nomination.

The successful nominee will be announced at an award event to be held in the Adelaide Town Hall, David Spence Room, between 5-7pm on the 4^th of November of 2025. Applications must be submitted electronically to professional.standards@trb.sa.edu.au no later than midnight on the 22^nd of September 2025.

The Minister’s Graduate Achievement Prize recognises a pre-service teacher (PST) who has recently graduated, or is about to graduate, from a South Australian Initial Teacher Education program, who has overcome a hurdle during their study, for example a personal, academic, financial, or health issue that may have otherwise been a barrier to their success.

Applications must be submitted electronically to professional.standards@trb.sa.edu.au no later than midnight on the 22^nd of September 2025. The successful nominee will be presented with an award at an event to be held in the Adelaide Town Hall, David Spence Room, between 5-7pm on the 4^th of November of 2025.

We would love to see your nominations for these awards. For more information, please visit our website at www.trb.sa.edu.au/home/about-us/awards-and-prizes.

The end of the year is a busy time, so we wanted to provide a friendly reminder to those who pay their teacher registration fees annually, your next payment is due by 31 January 2026.

Making your payment on time will keep your registration active through to the end of your current term of registration and ensure you can continue teaching in 2026.

Bringing Nature into the Classroom

Bringing Nature into the Classroom

Free online workshop to support teacher wellbeing and prevent burnout.  

We are looking for participants who are:

• Educators, including teachers and other school staff who have direct contact with children (e.g. guidance officers, teacher aides, principals).
• Keen to complete a 2-hour self-paced online wellbeing workshop and expand strategies and skills.
• Happy to complete three surveys to evaluate the workshop.

This workshop includes:

• The latest research on wellbeing and burnout in educators
• Simple and practical wellbeing strategies drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
• Developed by allied health practitioners and researchers from the University of Queensland - Associate Professor Koa Whittingham (Psychologist, PhD), Dr Amy Mitchell (Nurse, PhD), Dr Jacqui Barfoot (Occupational Therapist, PhD), Dr Grace Kirby (PhD)

For more information and to participate, visit https://exp.psy.uq.edu.au/mywellbeing/ 

Agriculture PD Tour

CALIFORNIA

7 Days - April 12 - 18, 2026
Professional Development Program - For Educators
During the School Term Break

Agriculture Professional Learning Tour — Libertas Travel

Online professional learning

If you are looking to get some professional learning hours under your belt during the Christmas holidays, don't forget we have links to plenty of online suggestions on our website.

Click here to see them.

Check out AITSL Spotlight ‘featured Edition’ on

Classroom Management: Standards-aligned evidence-based approaches

You can read the Spotlight at: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/research/spotlights/classroom-management-standards-aligned-evidence-based-approaches

The KS:CPC is a child safety and respectful relationships curriculum for children and young people from birth to year 12 (age 17+). It is mandated in all Department for Education and Catholic Education sites, and used in independent schools and other approved organisations.  Teachers must complete the full day Educator course prior to delivering the curriculum to children and young people.  For more information see:

• About the KS:CPC
• KS:CPC Educator course
• Approved organisations